Deriving the Cartography of the Japanese Right Periphery: The Case of Sentence-Final Discourse Particles

The cartographic structure of the Japanese right periphery has been investigated extensively over recent years. (See, for example, Inoue 2007, Ueda 2007, Saito 2009, Endo 2010, and the references cited there.) This paper examines the distributions of the sentence-final discourse particles and presents an account in terms of their lexical properties. We argue, following Endo (2010), that the particles, wa, yo, ne and na, indeed instantiate a cartographic structure in the right periphery. Then, we examine the lexical properties of each of those particles, and show that they explain the observed hierarchy. More specifically, we argue that the selectional requirement of wa and the specific speech acts the four particles are associated with yield the hierarchy wa < yo < ne/na. This conclusion implies that the cartographic structure of the Japanese sentence-final discourse particles can be considered a consequence of the Merge operation that reflects the lexical properties of those particles.La estructura cartográfica de la periferia oracional derecha del japonés ha sido objeto de amplias investigaciones a lo largo de los últimos años (ver, por ejemplo, Inoue 2007, Ueda 2007, Saito 2009, Endo 2010, y las referencias allí citadas). Este artículo examina la distribución de las partículas discursivas en posición final de la oración y presenta una explicación que atiende a sus propiedades léxicas. Argüimos, en la línea de Endo (2010), que las partículas wa, yo, ne y na generan en sí una estructura cartográfica en la periferia oracional derecha. Procedemos seguidamente a examinar las propiedades léxicas de cada una de estas partículas, y demostramos que ilustran la jerarquía mencionada. En particular, argüimos que el requisito de selección para wa y para los actos de habla específicos con los que se vincula a las cuatro partículas producen la jerarquía wa < yo < ne/na. Esta conclusión implica que la estructura cartográfica de las partículas discursivas en posición final en la oración en japonés puede considerarse una consecuencia de la operación de Ensamble (Merge) que refleja las propiedades léxicas de dichas partículas.Nos últimos anos, a estrutura cartográfica da periferia direita em japonês tem sido amplamente investigada. (Veja-se, por exemplo, Inoue 2007, Ueda 2007, Saito 2009, Endo 2010, e as referências aí citadas). Este artigo analisa a distribuição das partículas discursivas em final frase e apresenta uma proposta considerando as suas propriedades lexicais. Argumentamos, seguindo Endo (2010), que as partículas wa, yo, ne e na instanciam uma estrutura cartográfica na periferia direita. Neste sentido, observamos as propriedades lexicais de cada uma destas partículas e mostramos que eles explicam a hierarquia observada. Mais especificamente, argumentamos que a necessidade de seleção de wa e os atos de fala específicos associados a estas quatro partículas geram a hierarquia wa < yo < ne/na. Esta conclusão implica que a estrutura cartográfica das partículas discursivas em final de frase do japonês pode ser considerada como uma consequência da operação Compor (Merge), que reflete as propriedades lexicais destas partículas

Spin effects in single-electron transport through carbon nanotube quantum dots

We investigate the total spin in an individual single-wall carbon nanotube quantum dot with various numbers of electrons in a shell by using the ratio of the saturation currents of the first steps of Coulomb staircases for positive and negative biases. The current ratio reflects the total-spin transition that is increased or decreased when the dot is connected to strongly asymmetric tunnel barriers. Our results indicate that total spin states with and without magnetic fields can be traced by this method.Comment: 5pages, 5figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.

Systemic Lymphadenectomy Cannot Be Recommended for Low-Risk Corpus Cancer

Objective. The objective of this study is to ascertain whether omission of lymphadenectomy could be possible when uterine corpus cancer is considered low-risk based on intraoperative pathologic indicators. Patient and Methods. Between 1998 and 2007, a total of 83 patients with low risk corpus cancer (endometrioid type, grade 1 or 2, myometrial invasion ≦50%, and no intraoperative evidence of macroscopic extrauterine spread, including pelvic and paraaortic lymph node swelling and adnexal metastasis) underwent the total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy without lymphadenectomy. A retrospective review of the medical records was performed, and the disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), peri- and postoperative morbidities and complications were evaluated. Results. The 5-year DFS rates and the 5-year OS rates were 97.6% and 98.8%, respectively. No patient presented postoperative leg lymphedema and deep venous thrombosis. Conclusion. Omission of lymphadenectomy did not worsen the DFS or OS. The present findings suggest that systemic lymphadenectomy could be omitted in low-risk endometrial carcinoma

Methyl Mercury Exposure at Niigata, Japan: Results of Neurological Examinations of 103 Adults

Background. Large-scale poisonings caused by methyl mercury (MeHg) have occurred in Japan (Minamata in the 1950s and Niigata in the 1960s) and Iraq (in the 1970s). The current WHO neurological risk standard for adult exposure (hair level: 50 μg/g) was based partly on evidence from Niigata which did not consider any cases who were diagnosed later and/or exposed to low level of MeHg (hair mercury level less than 50 μg/g). Methods. Early in the Niigata epidemic in June 1965 there were two extensive surveys. From these two surveys, we examined 103 adults with hair mercury measurement who consulted two medical institutions. We compared the prevalence and the distribution of neurological signs related to MeHg poisoning between exposure categories. Result. We found 48 subjects with neurological signs related to MeHg poisoning who had hair mercury concentration less than 50 μg/g. Among the neurological signs, sensory disturbance of the bilateral distal extremities was observed more frequently, followed by disequilibrium, hearing impairment, and ataxia, in groups with hair MeHg concentration both below 50 μg/g and over 50 μg/g. Conclusion. The present study suggests the possibility that exposure to MeHg at levels below the current WHO limits could cause neurologic signs, in particular, sensory disturbance

A patient with repeated syncopal attacks after using isosorbide dinitrate

The case of a patient with repeated attacks of collapse induced by sublingual isosorbide dinitrate is reported. The patient was an 81 year-old female who was admitted to Yura Hospital because of attacks of precordial pain. Several minutes after the sublingual administration of isosorbide dinitrate (10 mg) for an anginal attack, she developed a sensation of general weakness, and thereafter because unconscious. Arterial blood pressure fell and became unmeasurable. Electrocardiograms recorded during the syncopal attack showed sinus tachycardia and significant elevation of ST-segment in right precordial leads. In response to a drip infusion of noradrenaline, arterial blood pressure returned to normal with recovery of consciousness. Two similar syncopal attacks induced by sublingual isosorbide dinitrate occurred in the next three days. These attacks were not due to augmentation of the vagal reflex. Decrease of venous return probably was the primary etiological factor.</p

Characterization of highly efficient heavy-ion mutagenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heavy-ion mutagenesis is recognised as a powerful technology to generate new mutants, especially in higher plants. Heavy-ion beams show high linear energy transfer (LET) and thus more effectively induce DNA double-strand breaks than other mutagenic techniques. Previously, we determined the most effective heavy-ion LET (LET_max: 30.0 keV μm^-1) for <it>Arabidopsis </it>mutagenesis by analysing the effect of LET on mutation induction. However, the molecular structure of mutated DNA induced by heavy ions with LET_maxremains unclear. Knowledge of the structure of mutated DNA will contribute to the effective exploitation of heavy-ion beam mutagenesis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Dry <it>Arabidopsis thaliana </it>seeds were irradiated with carbon (C) ions with LET_maxat a dose of 400 Gy and with LET of 22.5 keV μm^-1at doses of 250 Gy or 450 Gy. The effects on mutation frequency and alteration of DNA structure were compared. To characterise the structure of mutated DNA, we screened the well-characterised mutants <it>elongated hypocotyls </it>(<it>hy</it>) and <it>glabrous </it>(<it>gl</it>) and identified mutated DNA among the resulting mutants by high-resolution melting curve, PCR and sequencing analyses. The mutation frequency induced by C ions with LET_maxwas two-fold higher than that with 22.5 keV μm^-1and similar to the mutation frequency previously induced by ethyl methane sulfonate. We identified the structure of 22 mutated DNAs. Over 80% of the mutations caused by C ions with both LETs were base substitutions or deletions/insertions of less than 100 bp. The other mutations involved large rearrangements.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The C ions with LET_maxshowed high mutation efficiency and predominantly induced base substitutions or small deletions/insertions, most of which were null mutations. These small alterations can be determined by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection systems. Therefore, C ions with LET_maxmight be useful as a highly efficient reverse genetic system in conjunction with SNP detection systems, and will be beneficial for forward genetics and plant breeding.</p