Maintaining Web Applications by Translating Among Different RIA Technologies

As RIA (Rich Internet Application) technologieshave been widely used, the compatibility problem has arisen:they are hardly compatible with each other. To solve theproblem, we have proposed and implemented an automatic RIAtransformation system named Web-IR, which uses anXML-based intermediate representation with a Java-basedframework. As concrete examples, Web-IR currently supportsAjax, Flex, JavaFX, and OpenLaszlo as its input/output. Ourevaluations show that Web-IR can transform existing realapplications into other RIA technologies keeping almost thesame appearances. Finally, we conclude that Web-IR can solvethe problem sufficiently

Development of 3D CAD/FEM Analysis System for Natural Teeth and Jaw Bone Constructed from X-Ray CT Images

A three-dimensional finite element model of the lower first premolar, with the three layers of enamel, dentin, and pulp, and the mandible, with the two layers of cortical and cancellous bones, was directly constructed from noninvasively acquired CT images. This model was used to develop a system to analyze the stresses on the teeth and supporting bone structure during occlusion based on the finite element method and to examine the possibility of mechanical simulation

Evidence of hermaphroditism and sex ratio distortion in the fungal feeding nematode Bursaphelenchus okinawaensis

Nematodes have many different reproductive strategies along with their divergent life-histories; the ability of hermaphrodite to self- and cross-fertilize is useful for genetic manipulation. Here, we demonstrate the hermaphroditism of the fungal feeding nematode Bursaphelenchus okinawaensis, which was formerly described as a parthenogenetic nematode, and we show its other unique sexual characteristics. To determine that it is hermaphroditic, we performed the following experiments: 1) observation of the pronuclear and chromosome behavior during oogenesis and early embryogenesis; 2) observation of spermatogenesis during the fourth larval stage; 3) investigation of sperm utilization; and 4) investigation of phenotypic segregation after cross-mating using an chemically-induced visible mutant. We then investigated the mating preferences and spermatid size difference between males and hermaphrodites. B. okinawaensis males successfully mated only with sperm-depleted old hermaphrodites, and the spermatid sizes of males were almost the same as those of hermaphrodites. Moreover, the sex ratio of cross-fertilized progeny was highly skewed toward hermaphrodites. B. okinawaensis is phylogenetically distant from established model nematodes such as C. elegans and is more closely related to some economically relevant parasitic nematodes. This newly discovered hermaphroditic nematode has great potential for evolutionary and parasitological research

Morphological, molecular and developmental characterization of the thelastomatid nematode Thelastoma bulhoesi (de Magalhães, 1900) (Oxyuridomorpha: Thelastomatidae) parasite of Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattodea: Blattidae) in Japan

The American cockroach Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattodea: Blattidae) has been spreading worldwide by commerce and has successfully adjusted to living with humans. There are many reports of thelastomatid parasitic nematode iso- lated from P. americana in many countries including USA, Canada, India, Argentina, Bulgaria, but not in Japan. We have in- vestigated the parasitic nematodes in P. americana lab strain and field-captured individuals in Japan and found that Thelastoma bulhoesi (de Magalhães, 1900) (Oxyuridomorpha: Thelastomatidae) parasitizes with high infection rates. We described mor- phological, molecular, and developmental characters of the parasitic nematode because such information was missing despite it has been discovered more than one hundred years ago. We described morphometrics with DIC microscopy and fine structure of male and female adult with SEM observation. We also reveal the embryonic and postembryonic development of this nema- tode. This is the first report of a thelastomatid nematode isolated from American cockroach in Japan, and the data showed here is also very useful and fundamental for further analysis of the cockroach and parasite relations

Failure analysis of sandwich-type ceramic-on-ceramic hip joints: A spectroscopic investigation into the role of the polyethylene shell component

The mechanisms leading to systematic failure in modular acetabular components with a sandwich insertion (alumina/polyethylene/titanium) have been reconsidered in light of the newly collected Raman spectroscopic results. Raman assessments were conducted on the polyethylene shells, which belonged to a series of six failed sandwich implants with in vivo lifetimes ranging between 2 and 9 yr. With only one exception, all implants commonly showed dislodgment of the polyethylene shell during radiographic analyses prior to revision surgery. The polyethylene shell slipped out of the backing titanium shell, while always remaining integer to the ceramic liner. Four implants fractured at the ceramic liners, but their fractures occurred according to distinctly different patterns, which could be rationalized and classified. The insertion of the polyethylene layer, originally conceived to reduce the rigidity of the ceramic-on-ceramic bearing and to prevent impingement between the ceramic liner rim and the femoral neck, played a role in implant failure with its initial (asymmetric) thickness reduction due to creep deformation (eventually followed by cup rotation and backside wear). The results of the present spectroscopic investigation suggest that a simplistic failure classification of the sandwich-type implant as a "ceramic fracture failure" could be misleading and might represent a confounding factor in judging about the reliability of modern ceramic implants. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

(1R*,2S*,4S*,5R*)-Cyclo­hexane-1,2:4,5-tetra­carb­oxy­lic dianhydride

The title compound, C10H8O6, a promising raw material to obtain colorless polyimides which are applied to microelectronic and optoelectronic devices, adopts a folded conformation in which the dihedral angle between the two anhydro rings is 55.15 (8)°. The central six-membered ring assumes a conformation inter­mediate between boat and twist-boat. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked by weak C—H⋯O inter­actions, forming a layer parallel to the bc plane

化石分子とその同位体組成による古第三紀環境変動の復元

[研究概要

Virulence and oxidative stress response of the pine wood nematode bursa phelenchus xylophilus

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus is the causal agent of pine wilt disease and the most devastating plant parasitic nematode attacking coniferous trees (mostly Pinus species) in the world. In the early stages of invasion, this nematode has to manage host defence mechanisms, such as strong oxidative stress. Only successful virulent nematodes are able to resist the basal immune plant counterattack, and further migrate and proliferate in numbers inside of the host tree. Our main objective was to study the oxidative stress tolerance of the virulent/avirulent B. xylophilus isolates and avirulent Bursaphelenchus mucronatus, and understand in which degree this feature is related with their virulence level. For this purpose, we used the most prominent reactive oxygen species H_2O_2 (hydrogen peroxide) as oxidative stress agent to evaluate the tolerance of the virulent/avirulent isolates of B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus, assessing catalase enzymatic activity, H_2O_2 neutralization and relative gene expression of different antioxidant enzymes. In addition, transgenic of Caenorhabditis elegans overexpressing B. xylophilus catalase were constructed and evaluated for survival under oxidative stress conditions. Here we show the correlation between B. xylophilus virulence and oxidative stress resistance; virulent B. xylophilus expressed more antioxidant enzymes and could have more tolerance against oxidative stress than avirulent B. xylophilus and B. mucronatus. Moreover, transgenic C. elegans overexpressing B. xylophilus catalase were able to resist better than wild type C. elegans. Our study suggests that oxidative stress tolerance of B. xylophilus is important to withstand against host plant counter-attack and can be considered a pathogenicity factor

Recurrent transient thyrotoxicosis with painless thyroiditis--a case report.

A case of a 40-year-old woman who was suffering from painless thyroiditis with recurrent transient thyrotoxicosis is reported. Acute exacerbations occurred four times during the past ten years, two after delivery and two after catching a cold. Serum thyroid hormones increased, though radioiodine uptake by the thyroid was very low and no inflammatory signs were observed. The histological findings of the thyroid were of atypical thyroiditis and not consistent with either chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or subacute thyroiditis. Tanned sheep red cell hemagglutination titers for anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (TRC) and for anti-microsomal antibodies (MHA) were negative or low. The disease seems to be rare and the pathophysiology and etiology are discussed.</p