Private Provision of Public Goods between Families

We consider a two-stage voluntary provision model where individuals in a family contribute to a pure public good and/or a household public good, and, at the same time, the parent makes private transfers to her child within the same family. We show not only that Warr’s neutrality holds regardless of the different timings of parent-to-child transfers, but also that there is a continuum of Nash equilibria in the sense that individuals’ contributions and parental transfers are indeterminate, although the allocation of each’s private consumption and total public good provision is uniquely determined. We further show that, even in the presence of impure altruism or productivity difference in supplying public goods, neutrality and uniqueness of the equilibrium allocation may persist.

看護婦の社会的スキルの職務満足度への影響

The purpose of this study was to examine nurses\u27 social skills related to their job satisfaction. The subjects were 164 nurses working in six public hospitals in Toyama prefecture. The scales used were the Social Skill Scale and the Japanese version of the Nurses\u27 Job Satisfaction Scale of Stamps. The results were as follows; 1) The start of human relation-ships as a sub-concept of social skills was positively correlated with organizational requirements and total scores for job satisfaction, 2) The maintenance of relationships as a sub-concept of social skills was positively correlated with their scores for professional status as a sub-concept of job satisfaction, and 3) Self-assertion as a sub-concept of social skills was negatively correlated with their scores for pay as a sub-concepts of job satisfaction. These findings suggested that the nurses\u27 social skills are related to their job satisfaction.本研究では看護婦の社会的スキルの職務満足度への影響を明らかにする目的で調査を行った.調査対象は富山県下の6つの公的病院に就業する看護婦で, 有効回答の得られた164名を母集団とした.測定用具は, StampsのJob Satisfaction日本語版, および和田の社会的スキル測定尺度(関係開始, 関係維持, 自己主張)を使用した.その結果以下のことが明らかになった.1.社会的スキルの関係開始能力と, 職務満足度合計とは正の相関があった, 2.社会的スキルの関係維持能力と, 職務満足度の看護管理, 地位とは正の相関があった.3.社会的スキルの自己主張能力と, 職務満足度の給与とのは負の相関があった.以上の結果から, 看護婦の職務満足度には個人の社会的スキルが影響していることが示唆された

Metabolic engineering of S. pombe via CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing for lactic acid production from glucose and cellobiose

We constructed D-lactic acid (D-LA) producing Schizosaccharomyces pombe using CRISPR-Cas9 system. Two PDC genes, intact L-LDH, a minor gene of alcohol dehydrogenase (SPBC337.11) were disrupted to attenuate ethanol production pathway. To increase the cellular supply of acetyl-CoA, an important metabolite for growth, we introduced bacterial acetylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme genes. Two kinds of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase genes from Escherichia coli, mhpF and eutE, were expressed. D-LA production was achieved by expressing D-lactate dehydrogenase gene from Lactobacillus plantarum. The engineered strains efficiently consumed glucose and produced 25.2 g/liter of D-LA from 35.5 g/liter of consumed glucose with the yield of 0.71 g-D-LA / g-glucose. Finally, we expressed beta-glucosidase by cell surface display techniques, and the resultant strain produced 24.4 g/L of D-LA from 30 g/L of cellobiose in minimal medium with the yield of 0.68 g-D-LA / g-glucose. This is the first report to generate metabolically engineered S. pombe strain using CRISPR-Cas9 system and we showed the possibility of S. pombe for the production host cell of value-added chemicals

Establishment of a new method for precisely determining the functions of individual mitochondrial genes, using Dictyostelium cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Disruption of mitochondrial genes may become a powerful tool for elucidating precisely the functions of individual mitochondrial genes. However, it is generally difficult to manipulate genetically mitochondrial genes, because 1) a mitochondrion is surrounded by inner and outer membranes, and 2) there are a large number of mtDNA copies in a single cell. This is the reason why we tried to establish a novel method for disrupting a certain mitochondrial gene (<it>rps4</it>), using <it>Dictyostelium </it>cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we have developed a new method for specifically disrupting a mitochondrial gene (<it>rps4 </it>; ribosomal protein subunit S4), by a combination of homologous recombination and delivery of an appropriate restriction endonuclease (<it>Sfo</it>I) into mitochondria. First, mitochondrially targeted <it>Sfo</it>I whose expression is under control of the tetracycline (Tet)-regulated gene expression system was introduced into cells heteroplasmic with respect to the <it>rps4 </it>gene. Then, the heteroplasmic cells were produced by homologous recombination by use of the construct in which the unique <it>Sfo</it>I site and the 5'-half of the <it>rps4 </it>coding region were deleted not to be digested by <it>Sfo</it>I, and therefore their mitochondria have both the wild-type mtDNA and the mutant mtDNA with the disrupted <it>rps4 </it>gene. In response to removal of Tet from growth medium, <it>Sfo</it>I was selectively delivered into mitochondria and digested only the wild-type mtDNA but not the mutated <it>rps4</it>. Thus one can gain <it>rps4</it>-null cells with only the mutated mtDNA, under the Tet-minus condition.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The mitochondrial gene-disruption method presented here must be widely useful for precisely determining the functions of individual mitochondrial genes. This is the first report to demonstrate complete and specific mitochondrial gene disruption.</p

High Throughput Titration Based on Variable and Fixed Triangular Wave Controlled Flow Ratiometry with LED-Photodiode Detector

Unprecedented high throughput flow titration (maximally 43.1 titrations/min) has been realized by a triangular wave controlled flow ratiometry using an in-house LED-photodiode detector. The detector was fabricated mainly with quartz tubing, an LED, a photodiode and a DC power supply. While the total flow rate is held constant, a titrand (acid) is merged with a titrant (base) containing an indicator, the flow rate of which is linearly varied by the control voltage Vc supplied from a computer. Downstream, the intensity of the transmitted light is monitored with the detector and acquired in the computer as detector output voltage Vd. In the initial feedback-based mode, the lamp direction of Vc is changed from upward to downward, or vice versa, when the detector senses the equivalence point. In the subsequent fixed triangular wave controlled mode, the scan range and the scan rate of Vc are further limited and quickened, respectively, in order to increase the throughput rate. Equivalence point is determined by offsetting the effect of the lag time between the upstream merging and the downstream sensing. Although the present approach is an absolute method, calibration curves have been constructed for practical operation. The linearity of the curve is satisfactory (r2 › 0.993). The present method is well applicable to various titrations of acids and bases including acetic acid in commercial vinegars

Unprecedented High Throughput Titration by Feedback-Based and Subsequent Fixed Triangular Wave-Controlled Flow Ratiometry and Its Application to Quantification of Japanese Pharmacopoeia Drugs

Throughput rate of flow ratiometric titration has further been enhanced by shortening the lag time from the confluence of solutions upstream to the sensing of signal downstream and by optimizing analytical parameters. Feedback-based upward and downward scans of titrand/titrant flow ratio were repeated in order to offset the effect of the lag time and thus to locate the equivalence point. Subsequent faster fixed triangular wave-controlled scans in narrower range further increased the throughput rate. Analytical parameters such as scan rate and scan range were optimized. Maximally, 46.9 titrations/min was realized with reasonable precision (RSD = 1.79%). Applicability of the method to the quantitation of the Japanese Pharmacopoeia drugs (furosemide, isoniazid and prochlorperazine maleate) was verified, where the latter two drugs were determined by nonaqueous titrations

Molecular analysis of afibrinogenemic mutations caused by a homozygous FGA1238 bp deletion, and a compound heterozygous FGA1238 bp deletion and novel FGA c.54+3A > C substitution

We identified two afibrinogenemic girls in two Japanese families and performed molecular analysis to clarify the mechanisms of fibrinogen defects. Genetic analyses were performed by PCR amplification of the fibrinogen gene and DNA sequence analysis. To analyze the mechanisms of mature fibrinogen defects in plasma, we cloned minigenes from the proposita's PCR-amplified DNA, transfected them into CHO cells, and sequenced the cDNA amplified with the RT reaction followed by PCR. Sequence analyses indicated that one was caused by a homozygous 1238 bp deletion of the fibrinogen A alpha-chain gene (FGA Delta 1238) and the other was a compound heterozygous FGA Delta 1238 and novel FGA c.54+3A > C substitution. The minigene corresponding to FGA Delta 1238 generates two aberrant mRNAs, both of which may induce a frameshift and terminate prematurely. In contrast, the minigene corresponding to FGA c.54+3A > C generates two aberrant mRNAs, one of which may induce a frameshift and terminate prematurely, and the other uses a cryptic 5' splice site in exon 1, resulting in the deletion of six amino acids in signal peptides. Molecular analyses of both genetic variants suggest that the lack of a mature A alpha-chain, impaired assembly, and/or secretion of the fibrinogen molecule may lead to afibrinogenemia.ArticleINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEMATOLOGY. 96(1):39-46 (2012)journal articl

明治22(1889)年制作の丹後ちりめんの打掛

The present paper examines the weave formation, embroidery design, embroidery technique, and color of an uchikake (Japanese wedding robe) that was presented to Kyoto Women's University in 2008 by Shoko Inomoto, a graduate of the Department of History at the University, in view of the garment's historical value. The uchikake was made in 1889 (Meiji 22) when Ms. Inomoto's grandmother, whose family owned a wholesale cloth store that specialized in Tango chirimen (crepe silk), was married to the Inoue family, which owned a weaving factory that produced Tango chirimen. The uchikake is made of white chirimen with a complicated donsu (damask) weave pattern. The embroidery features symbols of congratulations, such as cranes and turtles, and the embroidery technique is very refined and technically advanced. The pale tones of the embroidery provide subtle contrast against the white fabric of the uchikake. Because there are no surviving embroidered white cloth garments from the Meiji period and the weave formation of the uchikake donated by Ms. Inomoto is very rare donsu (damask) chirimen, this garment is of great historical value

A New Method of Magnification Correction for Accurately Measuring Retinal Vessel Calibers From Fundus Photographs

METHODS. The focusing condition of the subject eye fundus camera optical system was individually determined by constructing an optical model of each eye applying its refractive error, corneal curvature, and axial length (AL) to Gullstrand&apos;s schematic eye, and by adjusting the position of the camera&apos;s focusing lenses using each eye&apos;s refractive error. Once the focusing condition of the entire optical system was fulfilled, magnification of the fundus images was calculated using paraxial ray tracing. Measurements of CRAE (CRVE) were performed in an annular area centered on the optic disc with magnification-corrected diameter from 1.8 to 2.7 mm. Reproducibility of the measurements of the results using the new method and comparison with those using interactive vessel analysis (IVAN) were performed in normal Japanese eyes. RESULTS. Intra-and interexaminer intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for CRAE (CRVE) measurements was greater than 0.978. CRAE (CRVE) using the new method averaged 148.9 6 10.9 lm (225.0 6 13.9 lm; mean 6 SD, N ¼ 99). Differences between the new method and IVAN were greater with increasing AL (P &lt; 0.001). The new method yielded CRAE (CRVE) in good agreement with IVAN in eyes with AL of approximately 24 mm. However, the new method yielded smaller values in eyes with shorter AL and vice versa. CONCLUSIONS. A new accurate and reproducible method to measure CRAE (CRVE) from fundus photographs was reported

Mechanism of Cancer Cell Death Induced by Hydrogen Discharged from Palladium Base Hydrogen Storage Alloy

The mechanism of cancer cell death induced by hydrogen discharged from Pd-5at.% Ni hydrogen storage alloy has been investigated. Cancer cell (HeLa: cervical cancer cell) death was observed in the limited region within ~ 3 mm from the sample. The measurement of surviving fraction of cells revealed that almost all the cancer cells in the well of 96-well multi plate, 6.2 mm in diameter were extinct (p < 0.01), while no detectable influence was observed in the normal cells. From the fluorescent imaging experiment, it was indicated that the cell death induced by discharged hydrogen was due to the "Apoptosis" and hydrogen peroxide was detected in both intracellular and extracellular regions. Furthermore, the generation of hydrogen radical and hydroxyl radical was observed in the ESR measurement. From the results obtained, the mechanism of cancer cell death is proposed.2013 International Conference on Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, MSCE 2013; ; 20 February 2013 ～ 21 February 201