Thymocyte maturation is governed by antigen–T cell receptor (TCR) affinity and the extent of TCR aggregation. Signals provided by coactivating molecules such as CD4 and CD28 also influence the fate of immature thymocytes. The mechanism by which differences in antigen–TCR avidity encode unique maturational responses of lymphocytes and the influence of coactivating molecules on these signaling pr...

Different strains of mice provide a valuable research tool for studying both hereditary and acquired forms of deafness. The cd/1 strain has been found to demonstrate hereditary cochlear pathology. The characteristics of hearing loss in cd/1 mice have not previously been reported. In this investigation auditory thresholds were obtained by measuring evoked brain stem responses in subjects of thre...

1.はじめに CGで現実感のある画像を生成する技術は、いかにして物体を 忠実に表現するかの技術である。物体を特徴付ける要素として は、大きく分けて、物体の形状と、物体表面の色情報や光学属 性などの表面属性がある。物体の表面属性を表現する場合、一 般的には、バンプマッピングなどのさまざまなマッピング手法 がとられている。CGデザイナがマッピングに利用できる素材と しては、市販の CD-ROM やインターネット経由で入手できる素 材集、およびテクスチャ生成のプログラムから出力されるデー タなどがある。 本報告で取り扱う石畳を表現する場合、CGデザイナが路面の 敷石を1つ1つモデリングして表現することが理想ではある が、大変な労力を要するため現実的ではない。一方、石畳の写 真素材を路面にマッピングして表現することも可能であるが、 以下のような問題が生ずる。 ・テクスチャ全体として凹凸が激し...

The hfarerirds Science Cimrion Index w on CD-ROM, a new specialty index launched by the Institute for Scientific Information’@, is discussed. The index contains searchable author abstracts,

This paper examines the role of trust in transition. Trust is an important ingredient in the institutional infrastructure of a market economy. Trust between economic actors allows efficient trade to take place in the face of uncertainty and constrains opportunistic behaviour. Trust in state institutions reduces the costs of rule enforcement and supports collective action. A key message of the p...

Food chain contamination by cadmium (Cd) is the most important pathway of Cd exposure to the general population, excluding smokers. Factors affecting transfer of Cd from soil and air to plants are reviewed. The direct deposition of airborne Cd in the plants has only a marginal influence on the crop Cd concentrations in rural areas with low atmospheric Cd deposition, i.e. < 2 g Cd ha(-1) y(-1). ...

Collecting duct (CD)-derived endothelin-1 (ET-1) acting via endothelin B (ETB) receptors promotes Na(+) excretion. Compromise of ET-1 signaling or ETB receptors in the CD cause sodium retention and increase blood pressure. Activity of the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) is limiting for Na(+) reabsorption in the CD. To test for ETB receptor regulation of ENaC, we combined patch-clamp electrophys...