Vortex state in double transition superconductors

Novel vortex phase and nature of double transition field are investigated by two-component Ginzburg-Landau theory in a situation where fourfold-twofold symmetric superconducting double transition occurs. The deformation from 60 degree triangular vortex lattice and a possibility of the vortex sheet structure are discussed. In the presence of the gradient coupling, the transition changes to a crossover at finite fields. These characters are important to identify the multiple superconducting phase in PrOs_4_Sb_12.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

University-Industry Cooperation

Working GroupReport for IACEE Tokyo Council MeetingTheme: University - Industry Cooperation in CEEChairs - Alfredo Soeiro and Prof. Yasushi Takeuchi (since May 2001 Prof. Hajime Fujita) There were fifteen interested members that contributed in the email discussiongroup. This report reflects the work performed so far and it is desirable to include more case studies from different countries. The working group expects that in thenear future additions and improvements are included contributing to a richer document for IACEE members and for the Engineering community in general

Forensic casework of personal identification using a mixture of body fluids from more than one person by Y-STRs analysis

We applied Y-STRs (DYS385/DYS19/YCAII) to an adhesive plaster left at a crime scene. This plaster may have included body fluids from more than one person. Firstly, we performed preliminary examinations, ABO-blood type examinations, and commonly used DNA examinations (D1S80, HLADQα, TH01, and PM) on these specimens. As a result of these examinations, we could evidence that suspect A did not contacted with the plaster, but could not confirm the presence of perspiration from suspect B. As the next step, we applied Y-STR examination to the plaster. Using this examination, we detected alleles that coincided to those of suspect B. We also concluded that the fluid from an unidentified person was vaginal fluid based on crime scene investigation. Y-STRs examination data obtained from 124 persons in Tokushima prefecture showed that 1.613% of individuals demonstrated haplotypes 10-18/ 15/19-23, which was detected from the plaster and from suspect B. Therefore, we considered that there was a high probability that the persiration detected in the plaster was that of suspect B. Based on these studies, we concluded that Y-STR examination of trace evidence was very useful to screen suspects using materials that contained body fluid from more than one person

Effects of scallop shell extract on scopolamine-induced memory impairment and MK801-induced locomotor activity

ObjectiveTo evaluate the neuroprotective effects of the organic components of scallop shells (scallop shell extract) on memory impairment and locomotor activity induced by scopolamine or 5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo (a,d) cyclohepten-5,10-imine (MK801).MethodsEffect of the scallop shell extract on memory impairment and locomotor activity was investigated using the Y-maze test, the Morris water maze test, and the open field test.ResultsScallop shell extract significantly reduced scopolamine-induced short-term memory impairment and partially reduced scopolamine-induced spatial memory impairment in the Morris water maze test. Scallop shell extract suppressed scopolamine-induced elevation of acetylcholine esterase activity in the cerebral cortex. Treatment with scallop shell extract reversed the increase in locomotor activity induced by scopolamine. Scallop shell extract also suppressed the increase in locomotor activity induced by MK801.ConclusionsOur results provide initial evidence that scallop shell extract reduces scopolamine-induced memory impairment and suppresses MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion

Suzaku observations of the Hydra A cluster out to the virial radius

We report Suzaku observations of the northern half of the Hydra A cluster out to ~1.4 Mpc, reaching the virial radius. This is the first Suzaku observations of a medium-size (kT ~3 keV) cluster out to the virial radius. Two observations were conducted, north-west and north-east offsets, which continue in a filament direction and a void direction of the large-scale structure of the Universe, respectively. The X-ray emission and distribution of galaxies elongate in the filament direction. The temperature profiles in the two directions are mostly consistent with each other within the error bars and drop to 1.5 keV at 1.5 r_500. As observed by Suzaku in hot clusters, the entropy profile becomes flatter beyond r_500, in disagreement with the r^1.1 relationship that is expected from accretion shock heating models. When scaled with the average intracluster medium (ICM) temperature, the entropy profiles of clusters observed with Suzaku are universal and do not depend on system mass. The hydrostatic mass values in the void and filament directions are in good agreement, and the Navarro, Frenk, and White universal mass profile represents the hydrostatic mass distribution up to ~ 2 r_500. Beyond r_500, the ratio of gas mass to hydrostatic mass exceeds the result of the Wilkinson microwave anisotropy probe, and at r_100, these ratios in the filament and void directions reach 0.4 and 0.3, respectively. We discuss possible deviations from hydrostatic equilibrium at cluster outskirts. We derived radial profiles of the gasmass- to-light ratio and iron-mass-to-light ratio out to the virial radius. Within r_500, the iron-mass-to-light ratio of the Hydra A cluster was compared with those in other clusters observed with Suzaku.Comment: 16 pages, 15 figures; Accepted for publication in PAS

Metallothionein contributes to neuropathic pain in partial sciatic nerve ligated rats

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain state caused by nerve injury or diseases. The symptoms involve spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia and allodynia. Neuropathic pain develops by the mechanisms both central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Moreover,both neuronal cells and glia cells are involved in the development of neuropathic pain. However, the pathogenic mechanism of neuropathic pain is not clearly understood. We previously reported that metallothionein lacked in peripheral nerve from patients of complex regional pain syndrome by proteomic approach. In this report, we examined whether the level of metallothionein (MT) is changed in partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL) rats as the model animal of neuropathic pain and the administration of metallothionein affects behavior against physical and thermal stimulus to PSL rats. MT-I/II expression was gradually decreased in the distal region of the injury site. At day 28, MT-I/II expression was markedly decreased in both proximal and distal region at the same level. The administration of MT signifi cantly improved allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia comparing to the administration of PBS. Moreover,GAP43, a marker protein of nerve regeneration, increased in the distal region and g lial fibrillar acidic protein, a marker protein of infl ammation, decreased in the proximal region of the injury site. These results suggest that metallothionein is deeply related to occurrence of neuropathic pain and regeneration of the injured nerve in PSL rats.departmental bulletin pape