Understanding the importance of selenium and selenoproteins in muscle function

Selenium is an essential trace element. In cattle, selenium deficiency causes dysfunction of various organs, including skeletal and cardiac muscles. In humans as well, lack of selenium is associated with many disorders, but despite accumulation of clinical reports, muscle diseases are not generally considered on the list. The goal of this review is to establish the connection between clinical observations and the most recent advances obtained in selenium biology. Recent results about a possible role of selenium-containing proteins in muscle formation and repair have been collected. Selenoprotein N is the first selenoprotein linked to genetic disorders consisting of different forms of congenital muscular dystrophies. Understanding the muscle disorders associated with selenium deficiency or selenoprotein N dysfunction is an essential step in defining the causes of the disease and obtaining a better comprehension of the mechanisms involved in muscle formation and maintenance

Dynamical properties of atom-like emissions from single localized states in ZnCdS ternary mesa-shaped structures

Dynamical properties of exciton localization into spatially isolated localized states with atom-like density of states caused by alloy potential fluctuations were examined. Submicron-sized mesa-shaped structures were prepared to resolve the contribution of single localized states to the optical spectra, which makes it possible to observe atom-like emission lines and to discuss the dynamical properties of exciton energy relaxations by employing micro-time-resolved PL measurements. It will be shown that in the samples with high exciton energy transfer efficiency, photogenerated excitons can relax into the spatially isolated localized centers with strong zero-dimensional nature, which leads to the limited number of atom-like emission lines

A Stable Difference Scheme for Computing Motion of Level Surfaces by the Mean Curvature

A difference scheme is introduced for computing the motion of level surfaces moved by the mean curvature. This scheme is proved to be stable in the maximum norm so that the computation can be completed without over-flow

Emissions from single localized states observed in ZnCdS ternary alloyu mesa structuresd

Sharp and discrete emission lines from single localized states in ZnCdS ternary alloys were clearly observed from selectively grown mesa structures. This is a demonstration that compound semiconductor alloy systems, which usually show broad emission spectra due to alloy fluctuations, are able to exhibit emissions from discrete energy levels with quasi-zero-dimensional density of states in limited mesa areas where limited number of deeper localized states will contribute. Introduction of ZnCdS/MgS short-period superlattices is found to play a significant role for the exciton migration enhancement from shallower to deeper localized states, which makes the observation of the emission lines from the single localized states possible in the ZnCdS alloy layers

Development of a Support System for Community-Based Disaster Mitigation Planning Integrated with a Fire Spread Simulation Model Using CA - the results of an experimentation for verification of its usefulness

This research carried out an experiment to verify the usefulness of a WebGIS-based system that we have been developing (A support system for community-based disaster mitigation planning integrated with a fire spread simulation model using CA) BEFORE, DURING and AFTER Workshops. Based on the data collected from the experiment, the usefulness and advantages of the system were verified from various angles. As a result, it was found that even though there are still some issues to be solved, the system is useful and effective as a support tool and also in enhancing awareness before and after Workshops