Nondestructive characterization of Antarctic micrometeorites collected at the Dome Fuji Station by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence analysis

The bulk trace element composition (Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Ni Cu, Zn, Ge, Se, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Mo) of eighty-three Antarctic micrometeorites was nondestructively analyzed using synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence analysis (SR-XRF), and these elements were characterized in terms of their abundance ratio relative to Murchison matrix composition. The relationship between heating history and chemical composition is also examined. We found a complementary relationship among I-type, S-type and unmelted AMMs in the micrometeorites\u27 elemental abundance, which is consistent with the hypothesis that I-type and S-type spherules were separated from chondritic meteoroids

Gene Expression and Localization of High-mobility Group Box Chromosomal Protein-1 (HMGB-1) in Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage

We investigated the expression and localization of high-mobility group box chromosomal protein-1 (HMGB-1) in human osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage in relation to the histopathological grade of cartilage destruction, and examined the role of HMGB-1 in the regulation of proinflammatory cytokine expression in chondrocytes. An immunohistochemical study demonstrated that total HMGB-1-positive cell ratios increase as the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) histological grade increased. The population of cytoplasmic HMGB-1-positive chondrocytes was especially increased in the deep layers of higher-grade cartilage. The ratios and localization of receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) expression by chondrocytes in Grade 2, 3, and 4 were significantly higher than those in Grade 1. In vitro stimulation with IL-1β, but not TNFα, significantly upregulated the expression of HMGB-1 mRNA by human OA chondrocytes. Both IL-1β and TNFα promoted the translocation of HMGB-1 from nuclei to cytoplasm. IL-1β and TNFα secretions were stimulated at higher levels of HMGB-1. The results of our study suggest the involvement of HMGB-1 in the pathogenesis of cartilage destruction in OA

Crystallographic Characterization of Extraterrestrial Materials by Energy-Scanning X-ray Diffraction

We have continued our long-term project using X-ray diffraction to characterize a wide range of extraterrestrial samples. The stationary sample method with polychromatic X-rays is advantageous because the irradiated area of the sample is always same and fixed, meaning that all diffraction spots occur from the same area of the sample, however, unit cell parameters cannot be directly obtained by this method though they are very important for identification of mineral and for determination of crystal structures. In order to obtain the cell parameters even in the case of the sample stationary method, we apply energy scanning of a micro-beam of monochromatic SR at SPring-8

ELASTOGRAPHY OF THE UTERINE CERVIX FOR THE PREDICTION OF LABOR ONSET

Purpose : To assess the value of cervical tissue strain (TS) measured with strain elastography in comparison with the transvaginal cervical length (CL) and Bishop’s score (BS) for the prediction of the onset of spontaneous labor within 10, 7, and 3 days. Methods : This is an observational prospective study of 98 women who delivered after the spontaneous onset of labor. A total of 134 examinations were performed weekly at term for measuring TS, CL, and BS. TS was evaluated in three regions of cervical gland area of the anterior lip (internal os, intermediate area, and external os). As TS is a relative parameter, ratios were used for the analysis. Results : In parous women, the TS ratio of the external os to the intermediate area was significantly associated with the onset of labor within 10 days ; however, CL and BS were not. Concerning the onset of labor within 7 days, all three parameters showed significant differences. In nulliparous women, TS ratio was not a useful predictor of the onset of labor. With fewer days between examination and labor onset, CL and BS tended to be more sensitive predictors than TS ratio. Conclusions : Transvaginal cervical strain elastography may be a useful tool for predicting the onset of spontaneous labor in relatively long-term periods such as 10 days

The ASTRO-H X-ray Observatory

The joint JAXA/NASA ASTRO-H mission is the sixth in a series of highly successful X-ray missions initiated by the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS). ASTRO-H will investigate the physics of the high-energy universe via a suite of four instruments, covering a very wide energy range, from 0.3 keV to 600 keV. These instruments include a high-resolution, high-throughput spectrometer sensitive over 0.3-2 keV with high spectral resolution of Delta E < 7 eV, enabled by a micro-calorimeter array located in the focal plane of thin-foil X-ray optics; hard X-ray imaging spectrometers covering 5-80 keV, located in the focal plane of multilayer-coated, focusing hard X-ray mirrors; a wide-field imaging spectrometer sensitive over 0.4-12 keV, with an X-ray CCD camera in the focal plane of a soft X-ray telescope; and a non-focusing Compton-camera type soft gamma-ray detector, sensitive in the 40-600 keV band. The simultaneous broad bandpass, coupled with high spectral resolution, will enable the pursuit of a wide variety of important science themes.Comment: 22 pages, 17 figures, Proceedings of the SPIE Astronomical Instrumentation "Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012: Ultraviolet to Gamma Ray

The Transcriptional Response to DNA-Double-Strand Breaks in Physcomitrella patens

The model bryophyte Physcomitrella patens is unique among plants in supporting the generation of mutant alleles by facile homologous recombination-mediated gene targeting (GT). Reasoning that targeted transgene integration occurs through the capture of transforming DNA by the homology-dependent pathway for DNA double-strand break (DNA-DSB) repair, we analysed the genome-wide transcriptomic response to bleomycin-induced DNA damage and generated mutants in candidate DNA repair genes. Massively parallel (Illumina) cDNA sequencing identified potential participants in gene targeting. Transcripts encoding DNA repair proteins active in multiple repair pathways were significantly up-regulated. These included Rad51, CtIP, DNA ligase 1, Replication protein A and ATR in homology-dependent repair, Xrcc4, DNA ligase 4, Ku70 and Ku80 in non-homologous end-joining and Rad1, Tebichi/polymerase theta, PARP in microhomology-mediated end-joining. Differentially regulated cell-cycle components included up-regulated Rad9 and Hus1 DNA-damage-related checkpoint proteins and down-regulated D-type cyclins and B-type CDKs, commensurate with the imposition of a checkpoint at G2 of the cell cycle characteristic of homology-dependent DNA-DSB repair. Candidate genes, including ATP-dependent chromatin remodelling helicases associated with repair and recombination, were knocked out and analysed for growth defects, hypersensitivity to DNA damage and reduced GT efficiency. Targeted knockout of PpCtIP, a cell-cycle activated mediator of homology-dependent DSB resection, resulted in bleomycin-hypersensitivity and greatly reduced GT efficiency

Investigation of cathodic reaction in SOFCs and PCFCs by using patterned thin film model electrodes

In recent years, fuel cells operating at relatively high temperatures, such as solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) using an oxide ion conducting electrolyte and proton ceramics fuel cells (PCFCs) using an proton conducting electrolyte, attract attentions as high-efficient energy-conversion devices. For further enhancements of the performance and the durability of SCFCs and PCFCs, it is essential to understand the electrode reactions. In particular, the knowledge on the dominant reaction path in the electrodes would help us to optimize the material and the microstructure of the electrode. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract