Ultrafast Creation of Overlapping Rydberg Electrons in an Atomic BEC and Mott-Insulator Lattice.

We study an array of ultracold atoms in an optical lattice (Mott insulator) excited with a coherent ultrashort laser pulse to a state where single-electron wave functions spatially overlap. Beyond a threshold principal quantum number where Rydberg orbitals of neighboring lattice sites overlap with each other, the atoms efficiently undergo spontaneous Penning ionization resulting in a drastic change of ion-counting statistics, sharp increase of avalanche ionization, and the formation of an ultracold plasma. These observations signal the actual creation of electronic states with overlapping wave functions, which is further confirmed by a significant difference in ionization dynamics between a Bose-Einstein condensate and a Mott insulator. This system is a promising platform for simulating electronic many-body phenomena dominated by Coulomb interactions in the condensed phase.

Even-odd product variation of the C(n)(+) + D(2) (n = 4-9) reaction: complexity of the linear carbon cation electronic states.

We have studied reactions between linear Cn(+) (n = 4-9) and D2, using ion mobility mass spectrometry techniques and quantum chemical calculations in order to understand the complex reactivity of the linear cluster cations. Only linear CnD(+) products were observed for the odd (n = 5, 7, 9) linear clusters, while CnD2(+) was the main product for the even clusters. For the reaction rate constants determined for these two channels, we obtained the following two features: (1) the rate constant decreases with the size n, and (2) even-sized clusters have lower rate constants than neighboring odd-sized clusters. In the theoretical calculations using the CCSD(T) and B3LYP methods with the cc-pVTZ basis, we found that a low lying (2)Σ state in odd clusters may play an important role in these reactions. This opposes the previous interpretation that the (2)Πg/u state is the dominant electronic state for linear Cn(+) (n = 4-9) clusters. We showed that a barrierless radical abstraction forming CnD(+) occurs through a direct head on approach for the (2)Σ state Cn(+). In contrast, a carbene-like insertion forming CnD2(+) occurs through a sideways approach for the (2)Πg/u state Cn(+). We have concluded that the higher rate constants for the odd clusters come from the existence of symmetry broken (2)Σ states which are absent in even linear clusters.

The prevalence of primary neck and shoulder pain, and its related factors in Japanese postpartum women.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the prevalence, location, and severity of neck and shoulder pain (NSP), its disturbance of quality of life (QOL), and the factors related to NSP in Japanese postpartum women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 308 postpartum women who had a medical examination one month after delivery. The questionnaire consisted of the background and details of NSP. Mood states were evaluated using the Profile of Mood States-Brief (POMS-B), Japanese Version. RESULTS: The prevalence of NSP was 73.1%, one-fourth of which occurred after birth. The most common area was the superior part of the trapezium muscles. Prevalence was associated with past history of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), anemia during pregnancy, time per breastfeeding, and the mean POMS-B Fatigue score. Total breastfeeding time a day, the mean POMS-B score for Fatigue, Confusion, Anger-Hostility, and Depression were significantly higher for "worse" after birth than those for "no-change/relief". The disturbance of daily life due to NSP in postpartum women with past history of PMS and Hiesho were significant higher than that for women without those. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NSP in postpartum women was very high. The factors which affect NSP were the mental states, breastfeeding, past history of PMS, and anemia during pregnancy.

A face-sharing bi-icosahedral model for Al23⁻.

A face-sharing bi-icosahedral motif is proposed as a candidate structure of the magic cluster, Al23(-), on the basis of DFT calculations. The structure can be viewed as a quasi-molecule made of two Al13 (D3d) superatoms with an open electronic configuration via constructive overlap of 1F and 2P superatomic orbitals. A face-sharing tri-icosahedral motif is also predicted for Al33(-).

Highly chemo-, diastereo-, and enantioselective reduction of 1,2-dialkyl-3-aryl-1,3-diketones for preparation of aldol-type compounds.

[reaction: see text]. Highly chemo-, diastereo-, and enantioselective borohydride reduction of 2-substituted-1,3-diketones was achieved in the presence of the optically active beta-ketoiminato cobalt complex catalysts to afford the optically active 2-substituted-3-hydroxyketones. The present catalytic and enantioselective reduction could provide an alternative potential for preparation of optically active anti-aldol-type compounds.

Reductive desymmetrization of 2-alkyl-1,3-diketones catalyzed by optically active beta-ketoiminato cobalt complexes.

[reaction: see text] The reductive desymmetrization of acyclic 1,3-diketones was achieved for the first time by catalytic borohydride reduction in the presence of optically active beta-ketoiminato cobalt(II) complex catalysts. In this reaction, various 2-substituted-1,3-diaryl-1,3-propanediones were converted into the corresponding optically active 2-substituted-1,3-diaryl-3-hydroxypropanone in good-to-high yields with excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities and high catalytic efficiencies.

Pattern of X-Y chromosome pairing in the Taiwan vole, Microtus kikuchii.

Pairing of X and Y chromosomes at meiotic prophase and the G- and C-banding patterns and nucleolar organizer region (NOR) distribution were analyzed in Microtus kikuchii. M. kikuchii is closely related to M. oeconomus and M. montebelli, karyologically and systematically. The formation of a synaptonemal complex between the X and Y chromosomes at pachytene and end-to-end association at diakinesis--metaphase I are only observed in three species in the genus Microtus; M. kikuchii, M. oeconomus, and M. montebelli. All the other species that have been studied so far have had asynaptic X-Y chromosomes. These data confirm that M. kikuchii, M. oeconomus, and M. montebelli are very closely related, and support the separation of asynaptic and synaptic groups on the phylogenetic tree.

Pattern of X-Y chromosome pairing in the Japanese field vole, Microtus montebelli.

Pairing of X and Y chromosomes at meiotic prophase in males of Microtus montebelli was analyzed. The sex chromosomes form a synaptonemal complex at pachytene and end-to-end association at diakinesis-metaphase I in two species of the genus Microtus (M. montebelli and M. oeconomus) only, while they do not pair at all in the other species of this genus that have been studied so far. These data confirm that M. montebelli and M. oeconomus are very closely related in their origin. It is suggested that the sex chromosomes of M. montebelli and M. oeconomus display the ancestral type of X-Y pairing. The lack of X-Y pairing in most species of Microtus appeared after the split in lineage that led to M. oeconomus and M. montebelli on the one hand and the remaining species on the other.

Inhibition of advanced protein glycation by 8-quinolinecarboxylic hydrazide.

Glycation of proteins is belived to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, and thus the development of potent inhibitors of protein glycation is highly desirable. We tested the inhibitory effects of 12 hydrazide compounds against protein glycation and compared them with the effects of aminoguanidine (AG), a well-known inhibitor. When bovine serum albumin (BSA) was incubated with 100 mmol/l mannose for 10 days at 37 degrees C in the presence and absence of hydrazide compounds or AG at 1 mmol/l, only p-anisic hydrazide inhibited Amadori product formation. On the other hand, 8 hydrazides as well as AG inhibited the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). 8-Quinolinecarboxylic hydrazide (8-QCH), the most potent hydrazide, was more effective than AG. Neither 8-QCH nor AG affected the spontaneous decrease in Amadori products of preglycated BSA in the absence of sugar, but suppressed the spontaneous increase in AGEs from preglycated BSA, with higher potency of 8-QCH relative to AG. The results indicate that 8-QCH is a more potent inhibitor of AGE formation than AG and suggest that the inhibition mechanisms of 8-QCH and AG resemble each other.

Cryopreservation of wild mouse spermatozoa.

Spermatozoa of wild mice from China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, India, Japan and Switzerland were frozen and stored at -196 degrees C. After thawing, intact oocytes were inseminated in vitro with relatively high motility frozen-thawed mouse spermatozoa from Czechoslovakia, Denmark and India, while oocytes with a partially dissected zona were inseminated with low motility frozen-thawed spermatozoa from China, Japan and Switzerland. Embryos developing to the 2-cell stage from oocytes fertilized with frozen-thawed spermatozoa were transferred to the oviducts of female recipients on the first day of pseudopregnancy (day when a vaginal plug was confirmed). Successful embryo development to the 2-cell stage was 46 to 67%. Offspring resulted from 17 to 51% of these transferred 2-cell embryos.

The domestication of Crocidura dsinezumi as a new laboratory animal.

The dsinezumi shrew (Crocidura dsinezumi), a small insectivore, has been bred for the first time as a laboratory animal. The original animals were captured using Sherman's live traps and transferred into wooden cages. After several generations they were housed in plastic cages. Their diet consisted of trout pellets, cat food, and water provided ad libitum. Monogamous pairs were housed together for 2-3 weeks for mating, and the male was separated from the female during delivery and nursing. In captivity, the reproductive activity was observed throughout the year and the gestation period was estimated at 28-30 days with a litter size of between 1 and 4 pups. Pups grew very rapidly, and reached adult body size (mean: male, 9.7 g; female, 8.3 g) and sexual maturation at 6-8 weeks of age. The reproductive life was estimated at one and a half years, while the longevity was approximately 2 years.

[Numerical anomaly of teeth in mongrel juvenile dogs. Canis familiaris].

As this study subjects, upper and lower dentitions of 49 mongrel dogs were used. X-ray films of the upper and lower dentitions of the dogs were taken. These films were from the collection of the Department of Pedodontics, School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University. Although the data on the sex and age of the dogs were not available, the dental ages were judged to range from the deciduous dentition to the early mixed dentition. Molars were not dealt with in this study for two reasons: 1) the molars of many of the subjects had not yet been calcified, and 2) the upper second and/or lower third molars, if present, had frequently been sacrificed when the jaws were separated. Numerical anomalies were observed in 16 dogs (32.7%). And infranumerary teeth were observed in 14 dogs (26.8%). Incidences of infranumerary teeth were higher in the secondary dentitions than in the primary ones. Most of the infranumerary teeth were found in both the upper and lower premolars, but not in the upper incisors and the upper and lower canines. Infranumerary teeth often occurred symmetrically whereas supernumerary teeth occurred asymmetrically. This investigation suggests that tendency of the reduction of the upper third premolar was considered to be caused by the reduction of the maxilla through the process of domestication. These results are inconsistent with Fujita's terminal reduction theory.