Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified several susceptibility loci for bipolar disorder (BD) and shown that the genetic architecture of BD can be explained by polygenicity, with ...numerous variants contributing to BD. In the present GWAS (Phase I/II), which included 2964 BD and 61 887 control subjects from the Japanese population, we detected a novel susceptibility locus at 11q12.2 (rs28456, P=6.4 × 10
), a region known to contain regulatory genes for plasma lipid levels (FADS1/2/3). A subsequent meta-analysis of Phase I/II and the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium for BD (PGC-BD) identified another novel BD gene, NFIX (P
=5.8 × 10
), and supported three regions previously implicated in BD susceptibility: MAD1L1 (P
=1.9 × 10
), TRANK1 (P
=2.1 × 10
) and ODZ4 (P
=3.3 × 10
). Polygenicity of BD within Japanese and trans-European-Japanese populations was assessed with risk profile score analysis. We detected higher scores in BD cases both within (Phase I/II) and across populations (Phase I/II and PGC-BD). These were defined by (1) Phase II as discovery and Phase I as target, or vice versa (for 'within Japanese comparisons', P
~10
, R
~2%), and (2) European PGC-BD as discovery and Japanese BD (Phase I/II) as target (for 'trans-European-Japanese comparison,' P
~10
, R
~0.27%). This 'trans population' effect was supported by estimation of the genetic correlation using the effect size based on each population (liability estimates~0.7). These results indicate that (1) two novel and three previously implicated loci are significantly associated with BD and that (2) BD 'risk' effect are shared between Japanese and European populations.
Abstract
FEL oscillators can produce few-cycle optical pulses with a high-extraction efficiency when the oscillators are operated in the superradiant regime. Such FEL oscillators are unique light ...sources to explore intense light field science, especially in mid-infrared and longwave infrared where ultrashort pulses for the high-intensity applications are difficult to produce from conventional lasers. Since the laser-matter interaction in the intense field regime is described in terms of the oscillating electric field rather than the instantaneous intensity, the carrier-envelope phase (CEP) must be stabilized in many applications of few-cycle optical pulses to the intense light field science. Stabilization of CEP in FEL oscillators has been proposed with an external seed laser and coherent spontaneous emission from the electron bunches. In this paper, we study CEP stabilization in FEL oscillators assisted by coherent spontaneous emission from electron bunches with numerical simulations.
As intraocular pressure (IOP) and age are consistent risk factors of glaucoma, it is of special interest to know the association between IOP and possibly relating factors including age in Japan where ...a high prevalence of normal-tension glaucoma has been reported. The aim of this report was to evaluate the distribution of and factors related to applanation IOP in a population-based study in Japan.
A randomly sampled group of 3021 residents (response rate 78.1%) of Tajimi City, aged 40 years or older, underwent screening examinations including measurements of IOP with Goldmann applanation tonometry and central corneal thickness.
Among right eyes without glaucoma, suspected glaucoma or other disorders which could affect correct IOP measurements, IOP averaged 14.6 (SD 2.7) and 14.5 (2.5) mm Hg in men and women, respectively, with no significant intergender difference (p = 0.342). Multiple regression analyses revealed that age was significantly negatively correlated with IOP (non-standardised beta (B) = -0.020/year, p = 0.0001). Higher body mass index (B = 0.14/BMI, p<0.0001), higher mean blood pressure (B = 0.022/mm Hg, p<0.0001), history of diabetes (p = 0.0019), thicker cornea (B = 0.014/microm, p<0.0001), higher myopia (B = 0.055/dioptres, p = 0.0043) and steeper corneal curvature (B = -0.72/mm, p = 0.0002) were also significantly correlated with higher IOP.
In an adult Japanese population, applanation IOP averaged 14.5 mm Hg and was negatively correlated with age after adjusting for other related factors. A positive correlation between IOP and myopia was found.
Laser light reflection by a relativistically moving electron density modulation (flying mirror) in a wake wave generated in a plasma by a high intensity laser pulse is investigated experimentally. A ...counterpropagating laser pulse is reflected and upshifted in frequency with a multiplication factor of 37-66, corresponding to the extreme ultraviolet wavelength. The demonstrated flying mirror reflectivity (from 3 x 10(-6) to 2 x 10(-5), and from 1.3 x 10(-4) to 0.6 x 10(-3), for the photon number and pulse energy, respectively) is close to the theoretical estimate for the parameters of the experiment.
Aims
The aim of this study was a challenge testing the effect of lower concentrations of micronized benzoic acid against two strains of Alicyclobacillus.
Methods and Results
The effect of micronized ...benzoic acid was compared with the usual levels of untreated commercial sodium benzoate and benzoic acid, at the challenge temperature of 45°C. The size of the benzoic acid particles was determined by scanning electron microscopy. The diameter of the micronized particles was around 10 μm with a maximum length of 200 μm, while the untreated preservative structures were irregular with lengths up to 500 μm. A continuous bactericidal effect against two Alicyclobacillus strains, throughout the 28‐day period, was observed with 50 mg l−1 of micronized benzoic acid, but when the untreated preservative was used, the same lethal effect was not achieved even after doubling its concentration.
Conclusions
The antimicrobial activity of benzoic acid was improved by micronization. The process proved to be an effective alternative to reduce the benzoic acid concentration necessary to ensure stability of an orange juice matrix.
Significance and Impact of the Study
The results proved that the micronization process represents an alternative to reduce the required food preservative concentration; this method increased the stability of the compound, which maintains its bioavailability.
Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are popular energy storage devices used in various fields such as electronics, mobilities, and power devices. In recent years, LIBs have been used in applications that ...require high energy densities to improve device performance metrics such as weight saving and miniaturization, as well as for reducing the cost. In this study, we propose two solutions for meeting the high energy density demands of these applications, namely (i) the use of active materials with high energy density and (ii) reduction of non-active materials such as the conductive agent, binder, separator, and electrolyte in the battery systems. In this study, we investigate the role of carbonization temperature and press processing of iron oxide/carbon composite nanofibers in improving the electrochemical characteristics of these electrode materials. The results of the study indicate that increasing the carbonization temperature improves the energy density per unit weight and unit volume as well as the rate capabilities, whereas press processing improves the energy density per unit volume, but reduces the rate capabilities. The investigation is useful for improving the performance of iron oxide/carbon composite nanofibers as the anode for LIBs.
Purpose
We evaluated the attitudes of female and male surgeons in Hong Kong to work, personal life, and work–life balance, through a questionnaire survey.
Methods
We sent an online questionnaire ...survey designed by a female Japanese surgeon to 142 female surgeons practicing in Hong Kong, while its customized version was sent to 953 of their male counterparts.
Results
“Home life” and “Work” were the first and second priorities for both the women and the men. More of the female surgeons reported that they could not find enough time to participate in community activities (
p
= 0.038) or rest (
p
= 0.024). Both reported moderate satisfaction at work (
p
= 0.114) and in their life outside work (
p
= 0.346), as well as equality at home (
p
= 0.548) and at work (
p
= 0.177). Of the men, 89 % agreed with the necessity for granting paternity leave and reported that they would like to work part-time during the child-rearing years (
p
= 0.013).
Conclusions
The number of female surgeons involved in key roles is increasing in parallel with the increasing number of female medical students. The introduction of paternity leave for male surgeons is an important concern. The issues of work–life balance may need to be addressed to attract more talent into an important specialty in Hong Kong and this is likely to apply to other parts of Asia as well.
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