Numerical Study on the Vortex States of High-T c Superconductors with Point Defects: Novel Phases in the Vortex Liquid Region

Phase diagram of high-T _c vortex states in with point defects is investigated by large-scale Monte Carlo simulations. We find that the first-order boundary between the vortex slush and vortex liquid phases terminates at a critical point, and that there is a step of the specific heat above the critical point as reported experimentally. As the system size increases, this step becomes sharper but smaller, and is associated with a crossover rather than a thermodynamic phase transition.     

Fusion virtual laboratory: The experiments’ collaboration platform in Japan

“Fusion virtual laboratory (FVL)” is the experiments’ collaboration platform covering multiple fusion projects in Japan. Major Japanese fusion laboratories and universities are mutually connected through the dedicated virtual private network, named SNET, on SINET4. It has 3 different categories; (i) LHD remote participation, (ii) bilateral experiments’ collaboration, and (iii) remote use of supercomputer. By extending the LABCOM data system developed at LHD, FVL supports (i) and (ii) so that it can deal with not only LHD data but also the data of two remote experiments: QUEST at Kyushu University and GAMMA10 at University of Tsukuba. FVL has applied the latest “cloud” technology for both data acquisition and storage architecture. It can provide us high availability and performance scalability of the whole system. With a well optimized TCP data transferring method, the unified data access platform for both experimental data and numerical computation results could become realistic on FVL. The FVL project will continue demonstrating the ITER-era international collaboration schemes and the necessary technology.     

Isolation, amino acid sequence and biological activities of novel long-chain polyamine-associated peptide toxins from the sponge Axinyssa aculeata

A novel family of functionalized peptide toxins, aculeines (ACUs), was isolated from the marine sponge Axinyssa aculeate. ACUs are polypeptides with N-terminal residues that are modified by the addition of long-chain polyamines (LCPA). Aculeines were present in the sponge extract as a complex mixture with differing polyamine chain lengths and peptide structures. ACU-A and B, which were purified in this study, share a common polypeptide chain but differ in their N-terminal residue modifications. The amino acid sequence of the polypeptide portion of ACU-A and B was deduced from 3' and 5' RACE, and supported by Edman degradation and mass spectral analysis of peptide fragments. ACU induced convulsions upon intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection in mice, and disrupted neuronal membrane integrity in electrophysiological assays. ACU also lysed erythrocytes with a potency that differed between animal species. Here we describe the isolation, amino acid sequence, and biological activity of this new group of cytotoxic sponge peptides.     

Solar to chemical conversion using metal nanoparticle modified microcrystalline silicon thin film photoelectrode

Microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) thin films, which are prospective low-cost semiconductor materials, are used as photoelectrodes for the direct conversion of solar energy to chemical energy. An n-type microcrystalline cubic silicon carbide layer and an intrinsic μc-Si:H layer are deposited on glassy carbon substrates using the hot-wire cat-CVD method. The μc-Si:H electrodes are modified with platinum nanoparticles through electroless displacement deposition. The electrodes produce hydrogen gas and iodine via photoelectrochemical decomposition of hydrogen iodide with no external bias under solar illumination. Surface modification with platinum nanoparticles and surface termination with iodine improve the conversion efficiency.     

Changes of infrared absorption by light soaking and thermal quenching in a-Si : H

The light- and thermal-induced changes of Si---H bonds in undoped a-Si : H have been studied on the infrared absorption of Si---H stretching mode, using the infrared photothermal deflection spectroscopy and the photothermal bending spectroscopy. The results show that the IR absorption of Si---H bonds increases by light soaking of the high power 500 mW/cm². The change of IR absorption of Si---H bonds reoccurs by thermal annealing at 200°C. This change is related to the increase of the dangling bonds under light soaking. Furthermore, we observe the change of the elasticity modulus by light soaking, using the photothermal bending spectroscopy. The structural change in a-Si : H is discussed based on these results.     

Soft press: the ultra-low pressure molding technology for powder cosmetics

Pressed-powder cosmetics with an extremely soft and light sense of touch were prepared using a novel ultra-low pressure molding technology. These novel pressed-powder cosmetics have a very high porosity creating a light silky feeling. Furthermore, with this novel molding, large quantities of organic crystalline powder can be incorporated into the cosmetics resulting in a good spreadability and smooth sense of touch. The novel molding technology named soft press molding developed in the current study involves several characteristic stages: (i) mixing the binder dispersion; (ii) soft compression; and (iii) drying (volatilizing a disperse medium). The first process is the mixing of water-repellent powder with an aqueous dispersion of elastic film-forming polymer into a pendular or funicular state. After compressing and drying, an interspersed polymer effectively combines the particles forming contact between the particles. In this study, calcium lauroyl taurate (CaLT) was used as an example of an organic crystalline powder to provide a silky smooth sense of touch to a powdery foundation. CaLT particles deform to a thin layer readily when applied to skin, creating a smooth pleasing sensation while spreading. Conventional high-pressure molding causes deformation during compression resulting in hard-caking of the molded cosmetics. However, by using soft press molding, the powdery foundation can contain more than 30 wt% of CaLT without hard-caking, and the resultant powdery foundation expresses an extremely smooth sensation to the touch. Furthermore, this powdery foundation shows a natural finish approximating bare skin due to the deformation of a thin layer on application restricting the light scattering, a characteristic property of a powder.     

Fucosylation in Urological Cancers

Fucosylation is an oligosaccharide modification that plays an important role in immune response and malignancy, and specific fucosyltransferases (FUTs) catalyze the three types of fucosylations: core-type, Lewis type, and H type. FUTs regulate cancer proliferation, invasiveness, and resistance to chemotherapy by modifying the glycosylation of signaling receptors. Oligosaccharides on PD-1/PD-L1 proteins are specifically fucosylated, leading to functional modifications. Expression of FUTs is upregulated in renal cell carcinoma, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer. Aberrant fucosylation in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) could be used as a novel biomarker for prostate cancer. Furthermore, elucidation of the biological function of fucosylation could result in the development of novel therapeutic targets. Further studies are needed in the field of fucosylation glycobiology in urological malignancies.     

Twenty-one cases of malignant tumor of the external auditory canal or middle ear

We have assessed the effects of intraplantar local anaesthetics (bupivacaine and lignocaine) on carrageenan-induced oedema, mechanical allodynia and spinal c-fos protein expression. Mechanical allodynia was evaluated using the vocalization threshold to paw pressure (VTPP) every 30 min until 60, 180 or 240 min after administration of carrageenan. Peripheral oedema, mechanical allodynia and spinal c-fos protein expression were maximal 180 min after carrageenan. Lignocaine did not influence either oedema or VTPP, but reduced spinal c-fos expression at 60 min after carrageenan without later effects. Bupivacaine induced an increase in VTPP at 30 and 60 min, limitation of oedema at 60 min and a reduction in spinal c-fos expression at 60 and 180 min, but these effects were not present 240 min after carrageenan. Intraplantar infiltration with lignocaine and bupivacaine before carrageenan transiently limited signs of inflammatory pain but did not prevent them.