Optical control of magnetization of micron-size domains in antiferromagnetic NiO single crystals

We propose Raman-induced collinear difference-frequency generation (DFG) as a method to manipulate dynamical magnetization. When a fundamental beam propagates along a threefold rotational axis, this coherent second-order optical process is permitted by angular momentum conservation through the rotational analogue of the Umklapp process. As a demonstration, we experimentally obtained polarization properties of collinear magnetic DFG along a [111] axis of a single crystal of antiferromagnetic NiO with micro multidomain structure, which excellently agreed with the theoretical prediction.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, submitted to Physical Review Letter

PPARα Activation Protects against Anti-Thy1 Nephritis by Suppressing Glomerular NF-κB Signaling

The vast increase of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has attracted considerable attention worldwide, and the development of a novel therapeutic option against a representative kidney disease that leads to CKD, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MsPGN) would be significant. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), a member of the steroid/nuclear receptor superfamily, is known to perform various physiological functions. Recently, we reported that PPARα in activated mesangial cells exerted anti-inflammatory effects and that the deficiency of PPARα resulted in high susceptibility to glomerulonephritis. To investigate whether PPARα activation improves the disease activity of MsPGN, we examined the protective effects of a PPARα agonist, clofibrate, in a well-established model of human MsPGN, anti-Thy1 nephritis, for the first time. This study demonstrated that pretreatment with clofibrate (via a 0.02% or 0.1% clofibrate-containing diet) continuously activated the glomerular PPARα, which outweighed the PPARα deterioration associated with the nephritic process. The PPARα activation appeared to suppress the NF-κB signaling pathway in glomeruli by the induction of IκBα, resulting in the reduction of proteinuria and the amelioration of the active inflammatory pathologic glomerular changes. These findings suggest the antinephritic potential of PPARα-related medicines against MsPGN. PPARα-related medicines might be useful as a treatment option for CKD

Agile Design: A Combined Model Based on Design Thinking and Agile Methodologies for Digital Games Projects

Traditional approaches to project management seek to discipline the execution and to organize different activities to be performed in order to reach the project goals. However, that focus may not be suitable for the beginning of projects that require creativity, as in the case of digital games. This article aims to develop a project management model that covers the whole process of digital games development, by combining two approaches, Design Thinking and Agile Methodology. The proposed model was constructed based on the theoretical framework of both methodologies, and has three parts: the Design Thinking phase, the Connection phase and the SCRUM phase. In order to evaluate the pertinence of the model, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with game developers of the Brazilian market. It was observed that many aspects of Design Thinking are used in the game development, that agile development is fully diffused in this process, and that association of both methodologies, besides being possible, can contribute to the efficiency of this process. The main contribution of this work is the presentation of an integrated model of project management that fully attends the process of the digital games development.Traditional approaches to project management seek to discipline the execution and to organize different activities to be performed in order to reach the project goals. However, that focus may not be suitable for the beginning of projects that require creativity, as in the case of digital games. This article aims to develop a project management model that covers the whole process of digital games development, by combining two approaches, Design Thinking and Agile Methodology. The proposed model was constructed based on the theoretical framework of both methodologies, and has three parts: the Design Thinking phase, the Connection phase and the SCRUM phase. In order to evaluate the pertinence of the model, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted through semi-structured interviews with game developers of the Brazilian market. It was observed that many aspects of Design Thinking are used in the game development, that agile development is fully diffused in this process, and that association of both methodologies, besides being possible, can contribute to the efficiency of this process. The main contribution of this work is the presentation of an integrated model of project management that fully attends the process of the digital games development

Kidney transplantation recovers the reduction level of serum sulfatide in ESRD patients via processes correlated to oxidative stress and platelet count

Sulfatide is a major component of glycosphingolipids in lipoproteins. Recently, we reported that a low serum level of sulfatide in hemodialysis patients might be related to the high incidence of cardiovascular diseases. However, the serum kinetics of sulfatide in kidney disease patients and the function of endogenous serum sulfatide are still unclear. To obtain novel knowledge concerning these issues, we investigated the serum kinetics of sulfatide in 5 adult kidney transplant recipients. We also analyzed the correlated factors influencing the serum sulfatide level, using multiple regression analysis. Kidney transplantation caused a dramatic increase of serum sulfatide without an alteration of its composition in all recipients in a time-dependent manner; however, the recovery speed was slower than that of the improvement of kidney function and the serum sulfatide reached a nearly normal level after 1 year. Multiple regression analysis showed that the significant correlated factor influencing the serum sulfatide level was log duration (time parameter) throughout the observation period, and the correlated factors detected in the stable phase were the decrease of serum concentration of malondialdehyde (an oxidative stress marker) as well as the elevation of platelet count. The current study results demonstrated the gradual but reliable recovery of the serum sulfatide level in kidney transplant recipients for the first time, suggesting a close correlation between serum sulfatide and kidney function. The recovery of serum sulfatide might derive from the attenuation of systemic oxidative stress. The normal level of serum sulfatide in kidney transplant recipients might affect platelet function, and contribute to the reduction of cardiovascular disease incidence.ArticleGLYCOCONJUGATE JOURNAL. 28(3-4):125-135 (2011)journal articl