We cloned a cDNA coding for a putative human heme oxygenase isozyme, designated type 2 (HO-2), and analyzed its function by transient expression assays. HeLa cells transfected with either HO-2 cDNAs or a cDNA coding for authentic heme oxygenase (HO-1) expressed the activity of heme oxygenase, although no activity was detected in the mock transfected cells. Using specific anti-HO-1 antibody, we showed that expression of a HO-1 cDNA resulted in the increase in its protein levels, but HO-1 protein was not detectable in the cells expressing HO-2 cDNAs. We thus confirmed the functional identity of HO-1 and HO-2. Then, we analyzed their expression in an erythroid cell line, YN-1-0-A. Treatment with hemin or by heat shock (42 degrees C) led to a remarkable increase in the HO-1 mRNA levels, while HO-2 mRNA expression was not induced at all, suggesting that they are under separate regulation.

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Microstructure and martensitic transformation yielding a magnetic change were investigated for Fe43.5Mn34Al15Ni7.5 alloy with B2-type fine precipitates. Thermoelastic martensitic transformation from the ferromagnetic parent phase to the weak magnetic martensite with a nano-twinned fcc structure was confirmed. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopic observation revealed that a β particle of about 10 nm maintains coherency with the matrix martensite phase, even though distorted due to the martensitic transformation. The martensitic transformation temperatures decreased about 75 K by application of a magnetic field of 70 kOe and magnetic field-induced reverse martensitic transformation was confirmed.

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We conducted simple experiment and numerical simulation of two-dimensional granular discharge flow driven by gravity under the influence of an obstacle. According to the previous work (Zuriguel et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 107: 278001, 2011), the clogging of granular discharge flow can be suppressed by putting a circular obstacle at a proper position. In order to investigate the details of obstacle effect in granular flow, we focused on particle dynamics in this study. From the experimental and numerical data, we found that the obstacle remarkably affects the horizontal-velocity distribution and packing fraction at the vicinity of the exit. In addition to the circular obstacle, we utilized triangular, inverted-triangular, and horizontal-bar obstacles to discuss the obstacle-shape effect in granular discharge flow. Based on the investigation of dynamical quantities such as velocity distributions, granular temperature, and volume fraction, we found that the triangular obstacle or horizontal bar could be very effective to prevent the clogging. From the obtained result, we consider that the detouring of particles around the obstacle and resultant low packing fraction at the exit region effectively prevent the clogging in a certain class of granular discharge flow.