Coherent structures formed by small particles in traveling-wave flows.

We experimentally verify the "phase locking model," which describes the formation of one-dimensional coherent structures by low-Stokes-number particles as proposed by Pushkin et al. [Phys. Rev.

Multicellular structures in thin free liquid films induced by thermocapillary effect.

Hypothesis: Multicellular convective structures that are induced in a fluid exposed to temperature difference are commonly observed in nature and in daily life. Different types of basic flow patterns are induced in a free liquid film by thermocapillary effect, whereas the formation of such multicellular structures has not been hitherto unravelled.

Experiments: A thin film of high-Prandtl-number liquid is prepared in a rectangular aperture of the order of 0.

Enhancement of Meniscus Pump by Multiple Particles.

We numerically investigate the behavior of a droplet spreading on a smooth substrate with multiple obstacles. As experimental works have indicated, the macroscopic contact line or the three-phase boundary line of a droplet exhibits significant deformation resulting in a local acceleration by successive interactions with an array of tiny obstacles settled on the substrate (Mu et al., ).

Pumping effect of heterogeneous meniscus formed around spherical particle.

Hypothesis: A disturbance such as a microparticle on the pathway of a spreading droplet has shown the tremendous ability to accelerate locally the motion of the macroscopic contact line (Mu et al., 2017). Although this ability has been linked to the particle-liquid interaction, the physical mechanisms behind it are still poorly understood despite its academic interest and the scope of numerous industrial applications in need of fast wetting.

Quick Liquid Propagation on a Linear Array of Micropillars.

The wetting process of a high energy surface can be accelerated locally through the capillary interaction of a liquid advancing front with a micro-object introduced to the surface (Mu et al., R1). We demonstrate that a linear array of micropillars embedded in a fully wettable substrate can produce quick propagation of liquid along the array.

Flow Patterns Induced by the Thermocapillary Effect and Resultant Structures of Suspended Particles in a Hanging Droplet.

We focus on the flow patterns and resultant structures of suspended solid particles in a hanging droplet caused by the thermocapillary effect. A droplet is hung on a heated cylindrical rod facing downward, and another cooled rod is placed just beneath the droplet to create the temperature difference between both ends of the droplet. As the temperature difference increases, the induced flow exhibits transitions from an axisymmetric time-independent steady state to three-dimensional time-dependent oscillatory states.

Flow Cytometric Evaluation of Surface CD56 Expression on Activated Natural Killer Cells as Functional Marker.

Surface CD56 is the most important cell marker for defining NK cells. However, the relationship between the expression of surface CD56 and NK cell activity has not yet been elucidated in detail. Thirteen healthy volunteers were enrolled in the present study.

Experimental study on dynamics of coherent structures formed by inertial solid particles in three-dimensional periodic flows.

We present experimental results obtained under normal gravity on the dynamics of solid particles in periodic oscillatory thermocapillary-driven flows in a non-isothermal liquid bridge made of decane. Inertial particles of different densities and in the size range approximately 0.75-75 μm are able to form stable coherent structures (particle accumulation structures, or PASs).

SNPs rs4656317 and rs12071048 located within an enhancer in FCGR3A are in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs396991 and influence NK cell-mediated ADCC by transcriptional regulation.

CD16 receptors are mainly expresses on the surface of NK cells and mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). The authors previously reported that NK cell-mediated ADCC is influenced by the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs396991 (T>G; F158V), and the structure and expression levels of CD16 differed among these genotypes. The authors examined haplotype frequency distributions among rs396991 and other SNPs, rs10917571 (G>T), rs4656317 (C>G), and rs12071048 (G>A), located in an enhancer of the FCGR3A gene.

The influence of NK cell-mediated ADCC: Structure and expression of the CD16 molecule differ among FcγRIIIa-V158F genotypes in healthy Japanese subjects.

NK cells express the CD16 (FcγRIIIa) receptor, which mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), on their cell surface. Therefore, ADCC activity may be influenced by qualitative or quantitative changes in the CD16 molecule on NK cells. Responses to NK cell-mediated ADCC have been shown to depend on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at FcγRIIIa amino acid position 158.

Elevation of the temperature of liquid films caused by rapid rupturing.

Although there have been several experimental and numerical works on rapidly rupturing films, measurement of the spatial-temporal temperature during rupturing processes is lacking. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that a rupturing film with nanometer thickness generates a non-negligible temperature increase. We demonstrate a correlation between the rupture velocity, the temperature increase, and the initial film thickness.

Detection of advancing edge and length of precursor film ahead of macroscopic contact line of droplet spreading on solid substrate.

The authors carried out an experimental study with a special interest on the dynamics of the fluid near the boundary line of three phases: solid-liquid-gas interface. A spreading droplet on a solid substrate is accompanied by the movement of a visible boundary line called the macroscopic contact line. Previous studies by various research groups have indicated the existence of a thin liquid film known as a precursor film ahead of the macroscopic contact line of the droplet.

Dynamic particle accumulation structure due to thermocapillary effect in noncylindrical half-zone liquid bridge.

We focus on the dynamic particle accumulation structure (PAS) due to the thermocapillary effect in a half-zone liquid bridge. In this study, by tracking particles in the liquid bridge and by measuring temperature on the free surface, we discuss the effects of a liquid bridge shape described by its volume ratio upon the shape of the PAS itself and motion of particle on the PAS. The variation of the liquid bridge volume ratio leads to a significant variation of the temperature gradient on the free surface, which results in difference of the shape of the PAS, especially width of the PAS blade.

Effect of suspended particles on the drying process of a carrier-fluid droplet sitting on a solid surface.

We focus on an evaporation process of a volatile droplet on a temperature-controlled solid substrate. The process is strongly affected by suspending tiny particles inside the droplet, resulting in a well-known phenomenon called the "coffee stain problem." The target systems in this study are (1) the water-hydrophilic particle and (2) the water-ethanol mixture-hydrophilic particle.

Characterization of factor XII Tenri, a rare CRM-negative factor XII deficiency.

Factor XII Tenri (Y34C), a rare cross-reacting material (CRM)-negative factor XII deficiency, was identified in a 71-yr-old Japanese woman with angina pectoris. In the patient's plasma, factor XII activity and antigen levels were only 1.6% and 5.

Helicobacter pylori infection up-regulates gland mucous cell-type mucins in gastric pyloric mucosa.

Background: Two types of mucous cell are present in gastric mucosa: surface mucous cells (SMCs) and gland mucous cells (GMCs), which consist of cardiac gland cells, mucous neck cells, and pyloric gland cells. We have previously reported that the patterns of glycosylation of SMC mucins are reversibly altered by Helicobacter pylori infection. In this study, we evaluated the effects of H.

Specific autoantibodies to platelet glycoproteins in Epstein-Barr virus-associated immune thrombocytopenia.

In this study, we detected autoantibodies to platelet glycoproteins GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb/IX on platelets and in plasma in a patient with immune thrombocytopenia associated with Epstein-Barr virus-related infectious mononucleosis. In addition, we present our findings on the effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy for immune thrombocytopenia associated with Epstein-Barr virus.

Internalization of beta-amyloid causes downregulation of apolipoprotein E mRNA expression in neuroblastoma cells.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E, like beta-amyloid (Abeta), is a key component of the senile plaques that characterize Alzheimer's disease (AD). Understanding how apoE participates in the formation of senile plaques is necessary to clarify the pathogenesis of AD; however, the mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the changes of cellular apoE and its mRNA level induced by addition of extracellular Abeta to neuroblastoma cells.

Novel beta-thalassemia trait (IVS I-1 G-->C) in a Japanese family.

A rare beta-thalassemia mutation at the splicing junction [namely, G-->C in intervening sequence (IVS) I-1] was found in a Japanese family. The proband and his mother were heterozygous for the mutation. Analysis of mRNA extracted from the reticulocyte-rich fraction obtained from the proband's mother revealed that the mutant beta-globin gene did not produce any detectable, stable mRNA including exon 1 and exon 2, since the polymorphism in exon 1 on her mutant gene was not detected in the RT-PCR products.

Quantitative RT-PCR analysis demonstrates that synthesis of the recombinant fibrinogen is dependent on the transcription and synthesis of gamma-chain.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the production of secreted fibrinogen and the synthesis of gamma-chain mRNA.

Methods: We transfected a gamma-chain expression vector into Chinese hamster ovary cells already expressing both Aalpha- and Bbeta-chains of fibrinogen and measured fibrinogen output concentrations by ELISA. We quantified both gamma-chain and Bbeta-chain mRNA concentrations using the recently developed TaqMan fluorogenic detection system.