Charmonium near the deconfining transition on the lattice

We study the charmonium properties at finite temperature using quenched lattice QCD simulations. Although a simple potential model analysis indicates no bound state at $T>1.05T_c$, our analyses of the spatial correlation between quark and anti-quark and the spectral function indicate that a bound-state-like structure may survive even above $T_c$.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, Talk presented at the PANIC02 conference, Sept. 30 - Oct. 4, 2002, Osaka, Japa

Improvement of pulmonary surfactant activity by introducing D-amino acids into highly hydrophobic amphiphilic α-peptide Hel 13-5

AbstractThe high costs of artificial pulmonary surfactants, ranging in hundreds per kilogram of body weight, used for treating the respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) premature babies have limited their applications. We have extensively studied soy lecithins and higher alcohols as lipid alternatives to expensive phospholipids such as DPPC and PG. As a substitute for the proteins, we have synthesized the peptide Hel 13-5D3 by introducing D-amino acids into a highly lipid-soluble, basic amphiphilic peptide, Hel 13-5, composed of 18 amino acid residues. Analysis of the surfactant activities of lipid-amphiphilic artificial peptide mixtures using lung-irrigated rat models revealed that a mixture (Murosurf SLPD3) of dehydrogenated soy lecithin, fractionated soy lecithin, palmitic acid (PA), and peptide Hel 13-5D3 (40:40:17.5:2.5, by weight) superior pulmonary surfactant activity than a commercially available pulmonary surfactant (beractant, Surfacten®). Experiments using ovalbumin-sensitized model animals revealed that the lipid-amphiphilic artificial peptide mixtures provided significant control over an increase in the pulmonary resistance induced by premature allergy reaction and reduced the number of acidocytes and neutrophils in lung-irrigated solution. The newly developed low-cost pulmonary surfactant system may be used for treatment of a wide variety of respiratory diseases

Acute respiratory distress syndrome following infection of influenza A (H1N1) virus

A 28-year-old man with a history of mental retardation was admitted to our hospital because of dyspnea, cough and high fever. His SpO(2) level at room-environmental conditions was in the eighties, and his chest radiograph showed diffuse infiltrates in both lungs. He was diagnosed as suffering from influenza A by a rapid influenza virus antigen test. The echocardiogram showed no evidence of left cardiac failure; therefore, his symptoms were consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Oseltamivir was started, and antibiotics were also given because of the possibility of secondary bacterial infection. Due to respiratory failure and low blood pressure, which suggested septic shock, intensive treatments including mechanical ventilation were performed. Corticosteroid therapy was started for ARDS and sepsis, and these therapies improved his respiratory condition. Polymerase chain reaction of his pharyngeal swab revealed that he had influenza A (H1N1). This is the first case of ARDS following infection by influenza A (H1N1) virus in Japan

Indication for Endoscopic Resection of Submucosal Colorectal Carcinoma: Special Reference to Lymph Node Metastasis

We investigated the relationship between histological factors and lymph node metastasis in 77 lesions with submucosally invasive colorectal carcinomas to establish useful criteria for lesions in which endoscopic treatment alone results in cure of malignancy. There were positive correlations between histological factors, including the level of invasion, the histologic grade, presence or absence of lymphatic invasion, presence or absence of budding, and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.005, p < 0.01). The presence or absence of venous invasion did not influence lymph node metastasis. Laparoscopic surgery involving lymph node dissection should be indicated for sm1 carcinoma lesions with unfavorable histological factors. In lesions diagnosed as sm2 or sm3 prior to resection, intestinal resection involving lymph node dissection by laparoscopic surgery should be directly performed without endoscopic resection

4/3-Law of Granular Particles Flowing through a Vertical Pipe

Density waves of granular material (sand) flowing through a vertical pipe have been investigated. Clear density waves emerge when the cock attached to bottom end of the pipe is closed. The FFT power spectra were found to show a stable power-law form $P(f) \sim f^{-\alpha}.$ The value of the exponent was evaluated as $\alpha \cong 4/3$. We also introduce a simple one-dimensional model which reproduces $\alpha = 4/3$ from both simulation and theoretical analysis. (to be published in Phys.Rev.Lett.)Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, a style fil

Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) - is there potential for genetic interventions in the Triticeae

The natural ability of plants to release chemical substances from their roots that have a suppressing effect on nitrifier activity and soil nitrification, is termed ‘biological nitrification inhibition’ (BNI). Though nitrification is one of the critical processes in the nitrogen cycle, unrestricted and rapid nitrification in agricultural systems can result in major losses of nitrogen from the plant-soil system. This nitrogen loss is due to the leaching of nitrate out of the rooting zone and emission of gaseous oxides of nitrogen to the atmosphere, where it causes serious pollution problems. Using a newly developed assay system that quantifies the inhibitory activity of plant roots (i.e. BNI capacity), it has been shown that BNI capacity is widespread among crops and pastures. A tropical pasture grass, Brachiaria humidicola has been used as a model system to characterize BNI function, where it was shown that BNIs can provide sufficient inhibitory activity to suppress soil nitrification and nitrous oxide emissions. Given the wide-range of genetic diversity found among the Triticeae, and the current availability of genetic tools for moving traits/genes across members, there is great potential for introducing/improving the BNI capacity of economically important members of the Triticeae (i.e. wheat, barley and rye). This review outlines the current status of knowledge regarding the potential for genetic improvement in the BNI capacity of the Triticeae. Such approaches are critical to the development of the next-generation of crops and production systems where nitrification is biologically suppressed/regulated to reduce nitrogen leakage and protect the environment from nitrogen pollution

A Study of the Impact of the Iron and Steel Industry on the Economy of Japan Since 01/01/1960

The purpose of this study was to trace the contributions of the iron and steel industry in Japan to Japanese economic development. This study is divided into four main parts. The first gives the general characteristics of the nation\u27s economic development and the importance of the iron and steel industry to the Japanese economy. The second is a study of manufacturing and distribution of steel imports, exports and domestic marketing. The third is devoted to the reasons of the rapid growth of the steel industry in Japan: government\u27s participation with the steel industry, abundant labor force, steel price, heavy equipment investment to the steel industry and technique induction and research investment. The fourth deals with the problems of the steel industry: over-production, low earning power of the steel makers and the moves in the United States to restrict imports of steel products. The writer believes that when the above problems are solved, the Japanese iron and steel industry will be able to rise to highest world levels in quality and quantity and thereby contribute to continued development of the Japanese economy