Theoretical results concerning the influence of non‐random‐field defects

We shall focus on extended defect systems and review their critical behavior. Primarily, with two aims, one of which is to understand phase transitions and how to derive effective dimension of extended defects with various structures, and the other is to propose a new research-method for defect systems, we let extended defects grow on a triangular lattice with frustration in a similar fashion to diffusion-limited aggregation, and discuss the situation. The existence of phase transitions, phase diagram, effective defect dimension, etc. will be shown. Furthermore, we shall summarize theoretical studies of extended defect systems on phase diagrams, critical behavior, tricritical behavior, and crossover behavior as static properties, and on nonconserved systems and conserved systems as dynamic properties.     

Study of Neutron-Rich Hypernuclei by the (π −, K +) Reaction at J-PARC

We are planning to perform an experiment at J-PARC and produce new neutron-rich Λ hypernuclei by using the (π ^?, K ⁺) reaction (J-PARC E10). As the first step, we are planning to produce ${^6_{\Lambda}{\rm H}}$ hypernuclei with a ⁶Li target. To conduct this experiment, we are developing new detectors, those are scintillating fiber tracker, and silicon strip detector, for high rate operation to aim at increasing beam intensity up to 10⁷/spill. As a result of beam test in Jun 2012, we are going to use high-rate beam at least 10⁷/spill.     

Complete Enumeration of Small Realizable Oriented Matroids

Enumeration of all combinatorial types of point configurations and polytopes is a fundamental problem in combinatorial geometry. Although many studies have been done, most of them are for 2-dimensional and non-degenerate cases. Finschi and Fukuda (Discrete Comput Geom 27:117–136, 2002) published the first database of oriented matroids including degenerate (i.e., non-uniform) ones and of higher ranks. In this paper, we investigate algorithmic ways to classify them in terms of realizability, although the underlying decision problem of realizability checking is NP-hard. As an application, we determine all possible combinatorial types (including degenerate ones) of 3-dimensional configurations of 8 points, 2-dimensional configurations of 9 points, and 5-dimensional configurations of 9 points. We also determine all possible combinatorial types of 5-polytopes with nine vertices.     

Fast‐response organic–inorganic hybrid light‐emitting diode

We demonstrated important changes produced on the modulation frequency of hybrid organic–inorganic light‐emitting diodes to examine the applicability as a light source for visible optical communications. The fabricated device structure was 4,4′‐bis[N ‐(1‐napthyl)‐N ‐phenyl‐amino]biphenyl/4,4′‐(bis(9‐ethyl‐3‐carbazovinylene)‐1,1′‐biphenyl:4,4′‐bis[9‐dicarbazolyl]‐2,2′‐biphenyl/ZnS/LiF/MgAg. This device showed an improvement in the modulation frequency using ZnS instead of an organic material, tris(8‐hydroxyquinoline)aluminum. A maximum cutoff frequency of 20.6 MHz was achieved.

     

Visualizing Microglia with a Fluorescence Turn‐On Ugt1a7c Substrate

Microglia, the brain‐resident macrophage, are involved in brain development and contribute to the progression of neural disorders. Despite the importance of microglia, imaging of live microglia at a cellular resolution has been limited to transgenic mice. Efforts have therefore been dedicated to developing new methods for microglia detection and imaging. Using a thorough structure–activity relationships study, we developed CDr20, a high‐performance fluorogenic chemical probe that enables the visualization of microglia both in vitro and in vivo. Using a genome‐scale CRISPR‐Cas9 knockout screen, the UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase Ugt1a7c was identified as the target of CDr20. The glucuronidation of CDr20 by Ugt1a7c in microglia produces fluorescence.     

Mixed layer formation of copper overlayers on Ni(1 1 0) surface

Copper overlayer formation on the Ni(1 1 0) surface was studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in an ultrahigh vacuum. Atom-resolved STM images showed that initially deposited Cu is replaced with surface Ni atoms forming atom-size depressions on the Ni(1 1 0) terraces and a Ni-rich quasi-one-dimensional island along the direction. Further Cu deposition yields a mosaic structure on the islands, indicating Cu/Ni mixed layer formation. From the quantitative measurement of the Cu/Ni ratio on the substrate and the islands, impinging Cu will be replaced with surface Ni whereas expelled Ni and directly impinging Cu to the island form the mixed island. The number of Cu atoms in the islands, however, more than the directly impinging Cu, indicate significant Cu/Ni replacement at the periphery of the island.     

Injectable Polypeptide Hydrogel Depot System for Assessment of the Immune Response–Inducing Efficacy of Sustained Antigen Release Alone

Vaccines typically contain an antigen, delivery system (vehicle), and adjuvant, all of which contribute to inducing a potent immune response. Consequently, design of new vaccines is difficult, because the contributions and interactions of these components are difficult to distinguish. Here, it is aimed to develop an easy‐to‐use, non‐immunogenic, injectable depot system for sustained antigen release that will be suitable for assessing the efficacy of prolonged antigen exposure per se for inducing an immune response. This should mimic real‐life infections. Recombinant elastin‐like polypeptides with periodic cysteine residues (cELPs) are selected, which reportedly show little or no immunogenicity, as carriers and tetanus toxoid (Ttd) as an antigen. After subcutaneous injection of the mixture, cELP rapidly forms a disulfide cross‐linked hydrogel in situ, within which Ttd is physically incorporated, affording a biodegradable antigen depot. A series of Ttd‐containing hydrogels is examined. A single injection induces high levels of tetanus antibody with high avidity for at least 20 weeks in mice. The chain length of cELP proves critical, whereas differences in hydrophobicity has little effect, although hydrophilic cELPs are more rapidly biodegraded. This system's ability to distinguish the contribution of sustained antigen release to antibody induction should be helpful for rational design of next‐generation vaccines.     

Total Synthesis of an Exceptional Brominated 4‐Pyrone Derivative of Algal Origin: An Exercise in Gold Catalysis and Alkyne Metathesis

A concise approach to the algal metabolite 1 is described, which also determines the previously unknown stereostructure of this natural product. Compound 1 is distinguished by a rare brominated 4‐pyrone nucleus linked as a ketene–acetal to a polyunsaturated macrocyclic scaffold comprising an extra homoallylic bromide entity. The synthesis of 1 is based on the elaboration and selective functionalization of the linear precursor 23 endowed with no less than six different sites of unsaturation including the highly enolized oxo‐alkanoate function. Key to success was the formation of the 2‐alkoxy‐4‐pyrone ring by a novel gold‐catalyzed transformation which engages only the acetylenic β‐ketoester substructure of 23 but leaves all other π‐bonds untouched. The synthesis was completed by a ring‐closing alkyne metathesis to forge the signature cycloalkyne motif of 1 followed by selective bromination of the ketene–acetal site in the resulting product 27 without touching the skipped diene–yne substructure resident within the macrocyclic tether.     

Randomly displaced phase distribution design for computer-generated binary hologram with narrow recording spots

A random phase mask is often used for Fourier transform holography to improve its recording and reconstruction characteristics. However, a conventional random phase pattern has the disadvantage of expanding the recording spot, which is caused by the high-resolution phase modulation. Previously, we proposed a random phase pattern that makes the recording spot narrower than the conventional one with maintaining a moderate reconstruction quality. In the present study, we apply the proposed random phase pattern to computer-generated binary holograms and evaluate both the hologram distribution and reconstruction quality in terms of practical holographic memory systems. The results confirm the effectiveness of the random phase in the reconstruction for an elementary data pattern.