We present measurements of nu(mu) disappearance in K2K, the KEK to Kamioka long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. One-hundred and twelve beam-originated neutrino events are observed in the fiducial volume of Super-Kamiokande with an expectation of 158.1(-8.6)(+9.2) events without oscillation. A distortion of the energy spectrum is also seen in 58 single-ring muonlike events with reconstructed energies. The probability that the observations are explained by the expectation for no neutrino oscillation is 0.0015% (4.3 sigma). In a two-flavor oscillation scenario, the allowed Delta m(2) region at sin(2)2 theta=1 is between 1.9 and 3.5x10(-3) eV(2) at the 90% C.L. with a best-fit value of 2.8x10(-3) eV(2)

Ever since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), many groups have endeavored to understand the fundamental properties of the CNTs. The redox properties (i.e. electronic densities, the Fermi levels, redox potentials) of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are related to the structures of SWNTs that have a specified diameter and chirality angle uniquely related to a pair of integers (n,m); the so-called chiral indices. [1,2] Many attempts have been made to determine the electronic properties of SWNTs using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, [3] redox titrimetry, [4] photoluminescence (PL) measurements, [5][6][7] and spectroelectrochemistry; [8][9][10][11][12][13] however, the success in the determination of the redox properties as already reported has been low. Recently, Paolucci et al. [12] employed Vis-near-IR absorption spectroelectrochemistry to estimate the redox potentials of the SWNTs dissolved in an ultradry dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution; however, it is not easy to determine the redox potentials of isolated (n,m)SWNTs using this method because SWNTs with several different chiral indices have band gaps in the near-IR region that overlap one another. We now describe a simple method for the determination of the redox potentials of many (in this study, fifteen) individual (n,m)SWNTs using near-IR PL spectroelectrochemistry in an aqueous medium.Strategic approaches toward the solubilization of CNTs are essential for many applications of CNTs [14] and numerous dispersants including carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (CMC, Figure S1a in the Supporting Information) [15] have been used to individually dissolve SWNTs. In this study, we fabricated a non-fluorescent transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode modified with a cast film of CMC/poly-(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA; Figure S1b in the Supporting Information) that contained isolated SWNTs (for details, see Experimental Section in the Supporting Information).We have discovered that we can determine the redox potentials of isolated SWNTs having their own chirality indices by in situ near-IR PL spectroelectrochemistry at the fabricated modified ITO electrode. This modified film retains the isolated SWNTs and the spectroelectrochemical results are analyzed with the Nernst equation.Externally applied potentials were changed in the range of ) and oxidized form (SWNT n+ ) when the external potential was applied to the electrode in arbitrary steps from 0.0 V to À1.0 V and from 0.0 V to + 1.1 V, respectively. After each potential step, the applied potential was returned to 0.0 V and it was confirmed that no significant spectral change in the SWNT had occurred, namely, the SWNTs in the film are stable during these electrochemically driven redox processes. This behavior of the SWNTs is consistent with those in Visnear-IR absorption [8b] and Raman [10b] spectroelectrochemical studies.We carried out in situ near-IR absorption spectroelectrochemistry using the modified electrode. The near-IR absorption spectra of the individually solubilized SWNTs wer...

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We have previously reported a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) pedigree with early onset macular degeneration that develops drusen at 2 yr after birth. In this study, the molecular composition of drusen in monkeys affected with late onset and early onset macular degeneration was both characterized. Involvement of anti-retinalautoimmunity in the deposition of drusen and the pathogenesis of the disease was also evaluated. Funduscopic and histological examinations were performed on 278 adult monkeys (mean age=16.94 yr) for late onset macular degeneration. The molecular composition of drusen was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and/or direct proteome analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). Anti-retinal autoantibodies in sera were screened in 20 affected and 10 age-matched control monkeys by Western blot techniques. Immunogenic molecules were identified by 2D electrophoresis and LC-MS/MS. Relative antibody titer against each antigen was determined by ELISA in sera from 42 affected (late onset) and 41 normal monkeys. Yellowish-white spots in the macular region were observed in 90 (32%) of the late onset monkeys that were examined. Histological examination demonstrated that drusen or degenerative retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were associated with the pigmentary abnormalities. Drusen in both late and early onset monkeys showed immunoreactivities for apolipoprotein E, amyloid P component, complement component C5, the terminal C5b-9 complement complex, vitronectin, and membrane cofactor protein. LC-MS/MS analyses identified 60 proteins as constituents of drusen, including a number of common components in drusen of human age-related macular degeneration (AMD), such as annexins, crystallins, immunoglobulins, and complement components. Half of the affected monkeys had single or multiple autoantibodies against 38, 40, 50, and 60 kDa retinal proteins. The reacting antigens of 38 and 40 kDa were identified as annexin II and mu-crystallin, respectively. Relative antibody titer against annexin II in affected monkeys was significantly higher than control animals (P<0.01). Significant difference was not observed in antibody titer against mu-crystallin; however, several affected monkeys showed considerably elevated titer (360-610%) compared with the mean for unaffected animals. Monkey drusen both in late and early onset forms of macular degeneration had common components with drusen in human AMD patients, indicating that chronic inflammation mediated by complement activation might also be involved in the formation of drusen in these affected monkeys. The high prevalence of anti-retinalautoantibodies in sera from affected monkeys demonstrated an autoimmune aspect of the pathogenesis of the disease. Although further analyses are required to determine whether and how autoantibodies against annexin II or mu-crystallin relate to the pathogenesis of the disease, it could be hypothesized that immune responses directed against these antigens might trigger chronic activation of the complement ...

The electronic states of carbon nanotubes are one of the most fundamental properties of the nanotubes. We now describe the finding that the band gaps of (n,m)SWNTs are strongly affected by the change in microdielectric environments around the isolated nanotubes. In situ photoluminescence (PL) spectroelectrochemistry of the films containing 15 isolated (n,m)single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) cast on ITO electrodes in organic solvents including DMSO, acetonitirile, DMF, THF, and chloroform was completed and then the oxidation and reduction potentials, and band gaps (ΔE(electr)) of the (n,m)SWNTs in the solvents were determined. We have discovered that the ΔE(electr) of the (n,m)SWNTs become greater as the solvent dielectric constants decreased, which is in sharp contrast to the optical band gaps (ΔE(opt)) that show virtually no solvent dependence. Such a strong solvent dependence of the electrochemical band gaps is due to the difference in the solvation energy of the charged SWNTs produced during the electrochemical processes. The ΔE(electr) of both mod types of the SWNTs, mod = 1 and mod = 2, linearly increased versus the reciprocal of the tube diameter, which agrees with the theory. Moreover, the states of the π-electrons in the SWNTs were evaluated from the dependence of the band gaps on the diameter of the SWNTs. Furthermore, the states of the π-electrons on the sidewalls of the SWNTs were evaluated using the γ(0) values, a parameter representing the measure of the stability or the degree of delocalization of π-electrons in the sidewall of the SWNTs, and revealed that the γ(0) values of the mod = 1 and mod = 2 SWNTs increased with a decrease in the dielectric constants of the solvents in the range of 38-79. This study has enabled us to understand the essential electronic properties of the carbon nanotubes.

Background-Data on the clinical presentation and genotype-phenotype correlation of patients with congenital long-QT syndrome (LQTS) diagnosed at perinatal through infantile period are limited. A nationwide survey was conducted to characterize how LQTS detected during those periods is different from that in childhood or adolescence. Methods and Results-Using questionnaires, 58 cases were registered from 33 institutions. Diagnosis (or suspicion) of LQTS was made during fetal life (nϭ18), the neonatal period (nϭ31, 18 of them at 0 to 2 days of life), and beyond the neonatal period (nϭ9). Clinical presentation of LQTS included sinus bradycardia (nϭ37), ventricular tachycardia/torsades de pointes (nϭ27), atrioventricular block (nϭ23), family history of LQTS (nϭ21), sudden cardiac death/aborted cardiac arrest (nϭ14), convulsion (nϭ5), syncope (nϭ5), and others. Genetic testing was available in 41 (71%) cases, and the genotype was confirmed in 29 (71%) cases, consisting of LQT1 (nϭ11), LQT2 (nϭ11), LQT3 (nϭ6), and LQT8 (nϭ1). Ventricular tachycardia/torsades de pointes and atrioventricular block were almost exclusively observed in patients with LQT2, LQT3, and LQT8, as well as in those with no known mutation. In LQT1 patients, clues to diagnosis were mostly sinus bradycardia or family history of LQTS. Sudden cardiac death/aborted cardiac arrest (nϭ14) was noted in 4 cases with no known mutations as well as in 4 genotyped cases, although the remaining 6 did not undergo genotyping. Their subsequent clinical course after aborted cardiac arrest was favorable with administration of ␤-blockers and mexiletine and with pacemaker implantation/implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. Conclusions-Patients with LQTS who showed life-threatening arrhythmias at perinatal periods were mostly those with LQT2, LQT3, or no known mutations. Independent of the genotype, aggressive intervention resulted in effective suppression of arrhythmias, with only 7 deaths recorded. (Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol. 2010;3:10-17.)

Ever since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), many groups have endeavored to understand the fundamental properties of the CNTs. The redox properties (i.e. electronic densities, the Fermi levels, redox potentials) of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are related to the structures of SWNTs that have a specified diameter and chirality angle uniquely related to a pair of integers (n,m); the so-called chiral indices. [1,2] Many attempts have been made to determine the electronic properties of SWNTs using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, [3] redox titrimetry, [4] photoluminescence (PL) measurements, [5][6][7] and spectroelectrochemistry; [8][9][10][11][12][13] however, the success in the determination of the redox properties as already reported has been low. Recently, Paolucci et al. [12] employed Vis-near-IR absorption spectroelectrochemistry to estimate the redox potentials of the SWNTs dissolved in an ultradry dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution; however, it is not easy to determine the redox potentials of isolated (n,m)SWNTs using this method because SWNTs with several different chiral indices have band gaps in the near-IR region that overlap one another. We now describe a simple method for the determination of the redox potentials of many (in this study, fifteen) individual (n,m)SWNTs using near-IR PL spectroelectrochemistry in an aqueous medium.Strategic approaches toward the solubilization of CNTs are essential for many applications of CNTs [14] and numerous dispersants including carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (CMC, Figure S1a in the Supporting Information) [15] have been used to individually dissolve SWNTs. In this study, we fabricated a non-fluorescent transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode modified with a cast film of CMC/poly-(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA; Figure S1b in the Supporting Information) that contained isolated SWNTs (for details, see Experimental Section in the Supporting Information).We have discovered that we can determine the redox potentials of isolated SWNTs having their own chirality indices by in situ near-IR PL spectroelectrochemistry at the fabricated modified ITO electrode. This modified film retains the isolated SWNTs and the spectroelectrochemical results are analyzed with the Nernst equation.Externally applied potentials were changed in the range of À1.0-+ 1.1 V versus Ag j AgCl (saturated KCl) in 0.3 m aqueous NaCl containing 30 mm Na 2 HPO 4 (pH 8) because in this potential range, both CMC and PDDA are electroinactive. The open circuit potential (OCP) of the modified electrode was around 0.0 V, which is almost identical with the OCP value [8b] of a bundled SWNT film on an electrode. Herein, neutral SWNTs are denoted as SWNT 0 . The SWNT 0 were changed into reduced form (denoted as SWNT nÀ ) and oxidized form (SWNT n+ ) when the external potential was applied to the electrode in arbitrary steps from 0.0 V to À1.0 V and from 0.0 V to + 1.1 V, respectively. After each potential step, the applied potential was returned to 0.0 V and it was confirmed that n...