The recent deposition rates of atmospheric nitrate derived from east Asia to the Japanese forested watershed facing the Sea of Japan are of serious concern. However, export ratios and the seasonality ...of atmospheric nitrate versus microbial nitrate from forest soils to upstreams have not yet been quantified. Furthermore, the influence of local nitrogen sources and internal biogeochemical processes are still unclear. To determine the influence of watershed properties and atmospheric nitrogen deposition on nitrate dynamics in two adjacent basins (the Kita and Minami Rivers) located in central Japan, we conducted seasonal synoptic surveys using the dual isotopes of nitrate. It was found that nitrate regenerated through nitrification in the forest soil was likely the dominant nitrogen source in both basins from the upstream to downstream waters. However, nitrate concentrations and the direct leaching ratio of atmospheric nitrate were considerably higher in the Kita River Basin than in the Minami River Basin, possibly due to the difference in forest environments. In the Kita River Basin, geographic trait such as altitude may be one factor regulating the sensitivity of forest ecosystem to nitrogen deposition. Quantitative assessments of nitrate outflows from the sub-basins revealed that nitrogen leached from the forest soil was a major source (61–81%) of nitrate loading to the coastal sea.
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•A large amount of nitrogen deposited onto the basins from winter to spring.•Atmospheric nitrate concentrations in upstream waters showed the elevational gradient.•The major source of nitrate was nitrification in forest soil through the basins.•Nitrate leached from the forest soil was the main source for coastal ecosystem.
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) target the development of Plasmodium parasites within the mosquito, with the aim of preventing malaria transmission from one infected individual to ...another. Different vaccine platforms, mainly protein-in-adjuvant formulations delivering the leading candidate antigens, have been developed independently and have reported varied transmission-blocking activities (TBA). Here, recombinant chimpanzee adenovirus 63, ChAd63, and modified vaccinia virus Ankara, MVA, expressing AgAPN1, Pfs230-C, Pfs25, and Pfs48/45 were generated. Antibody responses primed individually against all antigens by ChAd63 immunization in BALB/c mice were boosted by the administration of MVA expressing the same antigen. These antibodies exhibited a hierarchy of inhibitory activity against the NF54 laboratory strain of P. falciparum in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes using the standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA), with anti-Pfs230-C and anti-Pfs25 antibodies giving complete blockade. The observed rank order of inhibition was replicated against P. falciparum African field isolates in A. gambiae in direct membrane feeding assays (DMFA). TBA achieved was IgG concentration dependent. This study provides the first head-to-head comparative analysis of leading antigens using two different parasite sources in two different vector species, and can be used to guide selection of TBVs for future clinical development using the viral-vectored delivery platform.
Deep brain stimulation is a well-established treatment for generalized dystonia, but outcomes remain variable. Establishment of an imaging marker to guide device targeting and programming could ...possibly impact the efficacy of deep brain stimulation in dystonia, particularly in the absence of acute clinical markers to indicate benefit. We hypothesize that the stimulation-based functional and structural connectivity using resting-state fMRI and DTI can predict therapeutic outcomes in patients with generalized dystonia and deep brain stimulation.
We performed a retrospective analysis of 39 patients with inherited or idiopathic-isolated generalized dystonia who underwent bilateral globus pallidus internus deep brain stimulation. After electrode localization, the volumes of tissue activated were modeled and used as seed regions for functional and structural connectivity measures using a normative data base. Resulting connectivity maps were correlated with postoperative improvement in the Unified Dystonia Rating Scale score.
Structural connectivity between the volumes of tissue activated and the primary sensorimotor cortex was correlated with Unified Dystonia Rating Scale improvement, while more anterior prefrontal connectivity was inversely correlated with Unified Dystonia Rating Scale improvement. Functional connectivity between the volumes of tissue activated and primary sensorimotor regions, motor thalamus, and cerebellum was most correlated with Unified Dystonia Rating Scale improvement; however, an inverse correlation with Unified Dystonia Rating Scale improvement was seen in the supplemental motor area and premotor cortex.
Functional and structural connectivity with multiple nodes of the motor network is associated with motor improvement in patients with generalized dystonia undergoing deep brain stimulation. Results from this study may serve as a basis for future development of clinical markers to guide deep brain stimulation targeting and programming in dystonia.
We report a systematic comparison study of 3,5‐di(N‐carbazolyl)tetraphenylsilane (SimCP) and N,N′‐dicarbazolyl‐3,5‐benzene (mCP), which are used as the host materials for phosphorescent blue dopants ...in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). On the basis of photoexcitation emission spectroscopy, thermal stability analysis, photoelectron analysis, charge transport measurements, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we conclude that the non‐π‐conjugated meta‐substituted triphenylsilyl moiety of SimCP exerts a unique hindering effect on the molecular packing characteristics in the condensed phase. The chemical origin of the superior performance of SimCP over mCP is revealed, and is expected to be helpful for the molecular design of effective host materials for enhancing the performance of blue phosphorescent OLEDs.
Two structurally similar host materials for electrophosphorescent blue dopants, mCP and SimCP (see figure), are systematically compared. The triphenylsilyl group on SimCP does not significantly alter the energy levels but prevents the close‐packing of the molecules in the condensed phase. In contrast, the mCP molecules tend to aggregate, as shown in the figure by the red‐shifting of the emission features, adversely affecting the singlet and triplet energy levels of the material.
The neutron scattering cross-section for light water is evaluated by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for incident neutron energies from 1 mu eV to 10 eV at six temperatures between 293.6 ...and 800 K. In the evaluation, the velocity autocorrelation functions for hydrogen and oxygen are calculated from trajectory data and used for the reconstruction of the double differential scattering cross-section. Typical results on differential and total cross-sections are presented together with experimental data. As compared with ENDF/B-VII, better agreement with experiments is found on the total cross-section below several meV. Hence, the present MD-based approach can serve for the new method of generating the thermal neutron scattering cross-section library for light water.
To provide an overview of how electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) practice in Japan has changed as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues.
We surveyed healthcare institutions, ...primarily university and general hospitals, regarding changes in the number of patients undergoing ECT and infection control measures in the early (August 2020) and recent (August 2021) stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data for the early and recent stages were also compared between urban and non-urban areas.
Among 32 facilities, the number of patients undergoing ECT decreased in 11 facilities (34.4%) from April 2020 to March 2021 compared with the previous year, whereas the number increased in 12 (37.5%) from April to June 2021 compared with the previous year. As of August 2021, some facilities had ongoing restrictions. Compared with non-urban facilities, the number of patients undergoing ECT decreased more in urban facilities, which also had more ECT restrictions. Maintenance ECT was used at the same rate as before the pandemic for 23 (82.1%) of 28 institutions. Regarding infection control measures, many facilities considered polymerase chain reaction testing before ECT and required all staff to wear surgical masks and eye shields during ECT.
The COVID-19 pandemic in Japan greatly affected the use of ECT in 2020; however, by the summer of 2021, infection control measures were relatively well established, the number of ECT cases stabilized and increased, and the decision to use ECT was again possible.
Lightning strokes to transmission lines have been estimated using the electro-geometric model proposed by Armstrong and Whitehead. The observed results of the lightning to large-scale transmission ...lines are reported here to validate the calculated results, in which ultra high voltage (UHV) designed transmission lines and 500 kV transmission lines were selected as the subjects of the observation. Lightning observations were carried out for direct strokes to phase conductor caused by shielding failures, as well as strokes to ground wires that have rarely been previously reported. The observed results showed that total number of direct lightning strokes to phase conductor were nearly identical to the calculated results based on the conventional method, while observed strokes to upper phase were larger and strokes to lower phase were smaller than those derived from calculations. It was also revealed that lightning strokes to ground wires of UHV designed transmission lines and 500 kV transmission lines were 5.1 times and 2.7 times larger, respectively, than calculated results based on the conventional method.
The absorption and emission spectroscopic behaviour of cyclometalated
fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium(III) Ir(ppy)
3 is studied at room temperature. Liquid solutions, doped films, and neat films ...are investigated. The absorption cross-section spectra including singlet–triplet absorption, the triplet–singlet stimulated emission cross-section spectra, the phosphorescence quantum distributions, the phosphorescence quantum yields and the phosphorescence signal decays are determined. In neat films fluorescence self-quenching occurs, in diluted solid solution (polystyrene and dicarbazole-biphenyl films) as well as deaerated liquid solution (toluene) high phosphorescence quantum yields are obtained, and in air-saturated liquid solutions (chloroform, toluene, tetrahydrofuran) the phosphorescence efficiency is reduced by triplet oxygen quenching. At intense short-pulse laser excitation the phosphorescence lifetime is shortened by triplet–triplet annihilation. No amplification of spontaneous emission in the phosphorescence spectral region was observed indicating higher excited-state absorption than stimulated emission.
Objective
A higher trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL) occurs in rough skin, in elder skin and also in atopic dermatitis. An impaired skin barrier function is considered to be caused by an incomplete ...construction of the intercellular lamellar structure due to the quantitative reduction of ceramides. Since these symptoms coexist with oxidative stress, we hypothesized that impairment of the skin barrier function is accelerated by oxidative stress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of oxidative stress on ceramide synthesis and to characterize whether antioxidants can improve skin barrier function. 3‐O‐Laurylglyceryl ascorbate (VC‐3LG), which is a newly amphipathic derivative of ascorbic acid, was evaluated as a candidate antioxidant.
Methods
We characterized the mRNA expression levels of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) treated with H2O2 using real‐time PCR analysis. In order to evaluate the effect of VC‐3LG on skin barrier function, we used several assays with reconstructed human epidermis equivalents (RHEEs).
Results
Ceramide synthesis was down‐regulated in NHEKs by oxidative stress. Treatment with VC‐3LG abrogated the down‐regulation of SPT mRNA in NHEKs caused by oxidative stress, and stimulated SPT mRNA expression levels. In experiments characterizing the antioxidative properties of VC‐3LG, VC‐3LG reduced oxidative stress in NHEKs by up‐regulating catalase mRNA expression. In addition, VC‐3LG stimulated the skin barrier function in RHEEs, which had lower TEWL values compared with untreated RHEEs. Furthermore, VC‐3LG increased the quantity of ceramide in RHEEs.
Conclusion
Taken together, we conclude that VC‐3LG reinforces the skin barrier function due to its reduction of oxidative stress and its promotion of ceramide synthesis.
Résumé
Objectif
Une plus haute perte d'eau de trans‐epidermal (TEWL) se produit dans la peau rugueuse, dans la peau aînée et aussi dans la dermatite atopic. On considère qu'une fonction de barrière de peau diminuée est provoquée par une construction incomplète de la structure lamellar intercellulaire en raison de la réduction quantitative de ceramides. Comme ces symptômes coexistent avec la tension d'oxidative, nous étions hypothétiques que l'affaiblissement de la fonction de barrière de peau est accéléré par la tension d'oxidative. Ainsi, le but de cette étude était de clarifier l'effet de tension d'oxidative sur la synthèse ceramide et caractériser si les antioxydants peuvent améliorer la fonction de barrière de peau. 3‐O‐Laurylglyceryl ascorbate (VC‐3LG), qui est nouvellement amphipathic le dérivé d'acide ascorbique, a été évalué comme un antioxydant de candidat.
Méthodes
Nous avons caractérisé les niveaux d'expression mRNA de serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) dans epidermal humain normal ker‐atinocytes (NHEKs) a traité avec H2O2 en utilisant PCR en temps réel analy‐sis. Pour évaluer l'effet de VC‐3LG sur la fonction de barrière de peau, nous avons utilisé plusieurs essais avec epider‐humain reconstruit mis les équivalents (RHEEs).
Résultats
La synthèse de Ceramide a été en bas régulée dans NHEKs par la tension d'oxidative. Traitement avec VC‐3LG abrogé en‐bas‐egu‐lation de SPT mRNA dans NHEKs provoqué par la tension d'oxidative et SPT stimulé mRNA niveaux d'expression. Dans le caractère d'expériences ‐ izing les propriétés antioxidative de VC‐3LG, VC‐3LG a réduit la tension d'oxidative dans NHEKs par catalase régulant en haut mRNA expres‐sion. En plus, VC‐3LG a stimulé la fonction de barrière de peau dans RHEEs, qui avait plus bas des valeurs de TEWL comparées avec RHEEs non soigné. En outre, VC‐3LG a augmenté la quantité de ceramide dans RHEEs.
Conclusion
Pris ensemble, nous concluons que VC‐3LG contiennent ‐ force la fonction de barrière de peau en raison de sa réduction d'oxidative 4 tension et sa promotion de synthèse ceramide.
The lightning protection design of a substation is generally based on the surge overvoltage incoming to the substation, which is generated by the back-flashover across an insulator string of the ...transmission tower that is closest to the substation and struck by a lightning return stroke. In this case, surges propagate along non-horizontal or non-uniform lines such as the tower and the inclined lines incoming to the substation. Although the surge characteristics of a tower have been intensively studied as of today, those of inclined incoming lines to a substation have not yet been investigated. In this paper, experiments have been conducted using a reduced-scale model to clarify the surge characteristics of the conductor system that is composed of horizontal transmission line, two towers, inclined incoming line and a substation gantry. It turns out from the experiments that the potential (voltage) generated at the tower arm rises gradually, compared with the current injected in the tower top. Furthermore, it is found that the power line potential at the gantry is smaller than that that at the tower where the back-flashover occurs, while the opposite trend is obtained from a circuittheory- based simulation in which the inclined incoming line is represented by a horizontal line. The latter approximation has been usually employed in representing inclined incoming lines in lightning surge simulations using the Electromagnetic Transients Program (EMTP) or its alternatives. The fact that the power line potential at the gantry, evaluated by the present experiment, is smaller than the EMTPcomputed value would contribute to a more economical and rational design of a substation.
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