Chemical characteristics of a Martian meteorite, Yamato 980459

As a part of consortium study, we analyzed a Martian meteorite, Yamato (Y) 980459 by prompt gamma-ray analysis (PGA), instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our data confirmed that Y980459 belongs to olivine-phyric shergottites in chemical composition. Based on mg numbers (molar Mg(Mg+Fe) ratio), olivine-phyric shergottites are divided into two subgroups with high mg number and low mg number. Y980459 is grouped into members with high mg number along with DaG 476 and SaU 005. Abundances of rare earth elements (REEs) in Y980459 are depleted in light REEs (LREEs) and are similar to those of DaG 476 and SaU 005, being different from those for EETA 79001A, Dho 019 and NWA 1068, which are less depleted in LREEs. Based on the REE abundance in Y980459, a value of 0.19-0.25 was derived for the fraction of Martian crust in the Shergotty meteorite

Chemical composition of Yamato (Y) 000593 and Yamato 000749: Neutron-induced prompt gamma-ray analysis study

Neutron-induced prompt gamma-ray analysis (PGA) was applied to Antarctic nakhlites, Yamato (Y) 000593 and Y000749 together with Nakhla for the non-destructive determination of most major and minor elements (plus some trace elements). In addition to analyses of lump samples of these three meteorite, powder samples representing six different portions within Y000593 also were analyzed for discussing the chemical heterogeneity. As a result, it was confirmed that most major elements are homogeneously distributed among Y000593 within an error of ±10%. Chemical compositions of Y000593 and Y000749 are essentially identical within error limits, supporting the suggestion that these meteorites are paired. Compositional similarity is also confirmed between Nakhla and Y000593 (and Y000749), verifying that Y000593 (and Y000749) belong to nakhlites. Based on our PGA data coupled with literature data for Martian meteorites, we propose a diagram used for classifying achondrites and further for grouping into individual groups of Martian meteorites. Although there are some scatterings in B and Cl data, we would propose their abundances in nakhlites to be 3.33 ppm and 80 ppm, respectively. Our H data are systematically higher than their literature data. Although further refinements in our analytical procedure of PGA are required for getting more reliable and accurate values of H in Martian meteorites, it is suspected that some literature values of H contents in Martian meteorites are a little too small

Synthesis and pharmacological characterization of potent, selective, and orally bioavailable isoindoline class dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors

Focused structure-activity relationships of isoindoline class DPP-IV inhibitors have led to the discovery of 4b as a highly selective, potent inhibitor of DPP-IV. In vivo studies in Wistar/ST rats showed that 4b was converted into the strongly active metabolite 4l in high yield, resulting in good in vivo efficacy for antihyperglycemic activity

Predictive Value of the Cardio-Ankle Vascular Index for Cardiovascular Events in Patients at Cardiovascular Risk

BACKGROUND: Arterial stiffness is an important predictor of cardiovascular events; however, indexes for measuring arterial stiffness have not been widely incorporated into routine clinical practice. This study aimed to determine whether the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), based on the blood pressure-independent stiffness parameter beta and reflecting arterial stiffness from the origin of the ascending aorta, is a good predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with cardiovascular disease risk factors in a large prospective cohort. METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicenter prospective cohort study, commencing in May 2013, with a 5-year follow-up period, included patients (aged 40-74 years) with cardiovascular disease risks. The primary outcome was the composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal stroke, or nonfatal myocardial infarction. Among 2932 included patients, 2001 (68.3%) were men; the mean (SD) age at diagnosis was 63 (8) years. During the median follow-up of 4.9 years, 82 participants experienced primary outcomes. The CAVI predicted the primary outcome (hazard ratio, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16-1.65; P CONCLUSIONS: This large cohort study demonstrated that the CAVI predicted cardiovascular events

Research Activities in the Department of Occupational Therapy

Even though the purpose of the services provided by occupational therapy is to help and to support the daily life of clients, the actual services extend to a wide range of daily activities. Thus, research in occupational therapy covers a wide range of activities which can be modified and changed according to the needs of clients. Research activities conducted by clinical psychologists and English teachers who staff the Department of Occupational Therapy at Aino University are also summarized below. [1. Research in Occupational Therapy for Physically Handicapped.] We are involved in a study of the efficient motion analysis in the activity of daily life (ADL) in part with the staff of the Department of Clinical Engineering. We analyze the muscle tone under various locomotive operations by quantifying muscle tone with surface electro-myography (EMG). We have studied the brain network related to memory and learning in the training tasks that enable effective learning skills and their clinical application