Although higher circulating levels of oestrogen are related to postmenopausal breast cancer risk, limited information is available regarding effects of diet on endogenous oestrogen. Thus, we examined associations between macronutrient intakes and serum oestrogen with consideration of polymorphisms in oestrogen-metabolising genes. In this cross-sectional study, 784 naturally menopaused Japanese women aged 47–69 years were selected from participants of the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study. We documented dietary intakes, measured serum concentrations of oestrone (E1) and oestradiol (E2) and genotyped polymorphisms in oestrogen-metabolising CYP19A1 (rs4441215 and rs936306) and HSD17B1 (rs605059) genes. Trends and interactions were examined using linear regression models. In addition, we calculated the ratios of the oestrogen concentrations of the second to the highest quartiles (Q2–Q4) of dietary intake to those of the lowest quartiles (Q1). After adjustment for potential confounders, E2 was significantly associated with intake of carbohydrate and noodles; ratios of Q4 v. Q1 were 1·15 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·28) and 1·15 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·26), respectively. In contrast, E2 levels were inversely associated with intake of total energy, SFA and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFA); ratios of Q4 v. Q1 were 0·90 (95 % CI 0·82, 0·99), 0·89 (95 % CI 0·81, 0·98) and 0·91 (95 % CI 0·83, 1·00), respectively. In stratified analysis by polymorphisms, the rs605059 genotype of HSD17B1 significantly modified associations of E2 with intake of n-3 HUFA and fish; the associations were limited to those with the CC genotype. Macronutrient intakes were associated with serum E2 level, and these associations may be modified by HSD17B1 polymorphism in postmenopausal women.

V404 Cygni went into an outburst again on June 15, 2015 after 26 years of quietness. Soon after the notifications, we started intense optical observation campaign of this source. The spectral index between RC and IC-band was stable over the outburst, whereas that between g′ and RC-band varied violently. With the time domain analysis of the multi-color optical light curves, we successfully decomposed optical variations into three components: highly-variable component (HVC), little-variable component (LVC). The loci of the LVC in the color-color diagram is consistent with that of a single temperature blackbody radiation or a multi-color blackbody radiation from a standard accretion disk, while those of the HVC trace that of power-law spectra.

We report the Suzaku follow-up observations of the Gamma-ray pulsars, 1FGL J0614,13328, J1044.55737, J1741.82101, and J1813.31246, which were discovered by the Fermi Gamma-ray observatory. Analysing Suzaku/XIS data, we detected X-ray counterparts of these pulsars in the Fermi error circle and interpreted their spectra with absorbed power-law functions. These results indicate that the origin of these X-ray sources is non-thermal emission from the pulsars or from Pulsar Wind Nebulae (PWNe) surrounding them. Moreover we found that J1741.82101 exhibits a peculiar profile: spin-down luminosity vs flux ratio between X- and gamma-rays is unusually large compared to usual radio pulsars.

We review the results of very early phase optical follow-up observations of recent gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with the multi-color optical telescopes “MITSuME”. The MITSuME telescopes were designed to perform “real time” and “automatic” follow-up observations prompted by the GCN alerts via the Internet. The rapidly slewing equatorial mounts allow MITSuME to start photometric observations within 100 seconds after the trigger for several GRBs. In particular, we detected a brightening just after the trigger for two GRBs. These phenomena could be interpreted as the “on-set” of afterglow. In this paper we summarize these optical observations with a brief interpretation.

At the end of IAU Symposium 279, Shri Kulkarni delivered the concluding remarks. This paper presents a summary of his comments as interpreted by the Chairs of the Science Organizing Committee.

Hard X-ray polarization is believed to be one of the most promising methods to investigate the physical processes just around the central engines by constraining the magnetic environment. For this purpose we are now developing a compact and highly sensitive hard X-ray polarimeter aboard a university class micro-satellite “TSUBAME”. We are now developing the flight model of the satellite aiming for the launch in late 2012 from Russia.

We discuss the implications for the cosmic re-ionization from the optical afterglow spectrum of GRB050904 at z = 6.3

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are considered to be due to the death of massive stars. Therefore, GRBs are closely associated with the star formation of host galaxies. Since GRBs can be detected at cosmological distances, they are expected to be probes of the star formation history of the Universe. In order to determine the use of GRBs, it is essential to understand the star formation of their hosts. Multi-wavelength observations have shown that the star formation rates (SFRs) of GRB hosts derived from submillimeter/radio observations are generally higher than those from optical/UV observations (Berger et al. 2003). This implies that GRB hosts have a large amount of molecular gas and massive star formation obscured by dust. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to derive the SFRs in a method which is independent of existing methods and not affected by dust extinction.

We observed 12CO (J = 3–2) line emission from the host galaxy of GRB 980425 using the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE). Five points were observed covering the entire region of the galaxy, and we find possible emission features (S/N ~ 3 σ) at the velocity range corresponding to the redshift of the galaxy. By combining all spectra of five points, we obtain a global spectrum with a ~4 σ emission feature. If the features are real, this is the first detection of CO among GRB hosts. We derive the total gas mass of M(H2)=7 ± 2× 108M⊙ assuming a CO-to-H2 conversion factor of αCO = 8.0M⊙ (K km s−1 pc2)−1, which is deduced using the correlation between the αCO and the metallicity. The dynamical mass is calculated to be Mdyn=2× 1010M⊙, and M(H2)/Mdyn~3% is consistent with those of nearby dwarfs and normal spirals. The derived SFR is 0.5 ± 0.1 M⊙ yr−1 based on the Schmidt law. This SFR agrees with the results of previous Hα observations, suggesting that there is no significant obscured star formation in this host galaxy. This result implies that there is a variety of GRB hosts in terms of the presence of obscured star formation.

We present the optical/NIR spectrum of the afterglow of GRB 050904 obtained with the Faint Object Camera And Spectrograph on the Subaru 8.2m telescope taken 3.4 days after the burst. It is, as of June 2006, the only GRB with a known redshift larger than 6. The spectrum shows a clear continuum at the long wavelength end of the spectrum with a sharp cutoff at around 900nm due to Lyα absorption at a redshift of 6.3 with a damping wing. Little flux is present in the waveband shortward of the Lyα break. A system of absorption lines of heavy elements at redshift z = 6.295±0.002 were also detected, yielding a precise measurement of the largest known redshift of a GRB. Analysis of the silicon and sulphur absorption lines suggests a dense environment around the GRB with the metallicity larger than 0.1 solar, providing unique information on the galaxy and star forming region at z>6. This observation has shown that GRB is a powerful probe of the early universe.

Studies with primates in sequence production tasks reveal that chimpanzees make action plans before initiating responses and making on-line adjustments to spatially exchanged stimuli, whereas such planning isn't evident in monkeys. Although planning may rely on phylogenetically newer regions in the inferior parietal lobe – along with the frontal lobes and basal ganglia – it dates back to as far as five million years ago.

The X-ray characteristics of SS 433 are reviewed together with results of recent multi-wavelength observing campaigns.

One of our recent studies has revealed that a numerically trained chimpanzee can memorize a correct sequence of five numbers shown on a monitor. Comparative investigations with humans show very similar patterns of errors in the two species, suggesting humans and chimpanzee share homologous memory processes. Whether or not 5 is a pure capacity limit for the chimpanzee remains an empirical question.

We are constructing a fully automatic observation system named RIBOTS (RIken-Bisei Optical Transient Seeker). We aim to detect optical flashes and early afterglows of Gamma-ray bursts (GRB) with RIBOTS. We are constructing RIBOTS with a small telescope because a quick pointing to the burst is essential for our purpose. RIBOTS is linked to the GRB alert system provided by the HETE-2 satellite.

We are developing a new slit-less spectrograph for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) at Bisei Astronomical Observatory. We can quickly point the 1-m telescope to the GRB coordinates provided by HETE-2 via the GRB Coordinates Network. The pointing is readjusted when the position is refined to 5” accuracy by the small optical telescope RIBOTS using the optical image of the GRB, and we then take an exposure immediately with the slit-less spectrograph.

We report the first detection of the pulsed X-ray emission from the fastest millisecond pulsar known PSR B1937+21 (P =1.558msec) with ASCA. The pulsar is detected as a point source above ∼ 1.7keV, with no nebulosity indicated. The source flux in the energy band 2–10keV is found to be f = 4.3 × 10−13erg s−1 cm−2, which corresponds to the luminosity of Lx = 4πD2f ≈ 6.6 × 1032(D/3.6kpc)2 erg s−1, where D is the distance, and correspond to ≈ 6 × 10−4 of the rotation power of the pulsar. The pulsation is found at the period predicted by the radio ephemerides with very narrow primary peaks, the width of which is about 1/16 phase ≈ 100μs near the time resolution limit (61μs) of the observation. The pulsed luminosity within the primary peak (1/16 phase interval) is found to be fp = 4.0 × 10−12erg s−1 cm−2. Although there may be a secondary peak, its statistical significance is too low to identify. Spectra of the whole source region and the primary peak are fitted by power law models to give photon indices of about unity for both.

Recent observation with ASCA reveals that radio pulsars own X-ray diffuse nebulae around them. 11 such nebulae have been reported (Harrus, Hughes & Helfand 1996, Shibata et al. 1997, Kawai, Tamura & Shibata 1997). It is most likely that these nebulae are synchrotron nebuale powered by the pulsar wind, the outflow of relativistic particles. Kawai, Tamura and Shibata (1997) reduced an empirical law for the nebula luminosity Lx as a function of the rotation power Ėrot of the central pulsar: Lx/Ėrot = −12.3 + 0.27 log Ėrot.

Results from the X-ray observations of pulsars with ASCA are presented. The surroundings of pulsars are investigated in detail taking advantage of ASCA’s unique capabilities; high spectral resolution and a high throughput over a wide energy range from 0.4 keV to 10 keV. The spectral characteristics of the nebulae of PSR B1509—58 and the Vela pulsar are spectroscopically investigated. A jet-like feature is found from PSR B1509—58. We detected diffuse emission sources in the vicinity of many pulsars. The high probability of finding such diffuse sources for many pulsars suggests that they exist universally for all the active pulsars, and that they are powered by the pulsars. SNR Kes 32 was imaged in X-ray for the first time. Its X-ray properties can be used to examine its association with the nearby pulsar PSR B1610—50.