Decomposition Process of Woody Debris and Fungal Community Structure

We examined the relationship between the community structure of wood-decaying fungi, detected by high-throughput sequencing, and the decomposition rate using 13 years of data from a forest dynamics plot. For molecular analysis and wood density measurements, drill dust samples were collected from logs and stumps of Fagus and Quercus in the plot. Regression using a negative exponential model between wood density and time since death revealed that the decomposition rate of Fagus was greater than that of Quercus. The residual between the expected value obtained from the regression curve and the observed wood density was used as a decomposition rate index. Principal component analysis showed that the fungal community compositions of both Fagus and Quercus changed with time since death. Principal component analysis axis scores were used as an index of fungal community composition. A structural equation model for each wood genus was used to assess the effect of fungal community structure traits on the decomposition rate and how the fungal community structure was determined by the traits of coarse woody debris. Results of the structural equation model suggested that the decomposition rate of Fagus was affected by two fungal community composition components: one that was affected by time since death and another that was not affected by the traits of coarse woody debris. In contrast, the decomposition rate of Quercus was not affected by coarse woody debris traits or fungal community structure. These findings suggest that, in the case of Fagus coarse woody debris, the fungal community structure is related to the decomposition process of its host substrate. Because fungal community structure is affected partly by the decay stage and wood density of its substrate, these factors influence each other. Further research on interactive effects is needed to improve our understanding of the relationship between fungal community structure and the woody debris decomposition process

AI-Equipped Scanning Probe Microscopy for Autonomous Site-Specific Atomic-Level Characterization at Room Temperature

Diao Z., Ueda K., Hou L., et al. AI-Equipped Scanning Probe Microscopy for Autonomous Site-Specific Atomic-Level Characterization at Room Temperature. Small Methods, (2024); https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202400813.An advanced scanning probe microscopy system enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI-SPM) designed for self-driving atomic-scale measurements is presented. This system expertly identifies and manipulates atomic positions with high precision, autonomously performing tasks such as spectroscopic data acquisition and atomic adjustment. An outstanding feature of AI-SPM is its ability to detect and adapt to surface defects, targeting or avoiding them as necessary. It is also designed to overcome typical challenges such as positional drift and tip apex atomic variations due to the thermal effects, ensuring accurate, site-specific surface analysis. The tests under the demanding conditions of room temperature have demonstrated the robustness of the system, successfully navigating thermal drift and tip fluctuations. During these tests on the Si(111)-(7 × 7) surface, AI-SPM autonomously identified defect-free regions and performed a large number of current–voltage spectroscopy measurements at different adatom sites, while autonomously compensating for thermal drift and monitoring probe health. These experiments produce extensive data sets that are critical for reliable materials characterization and demonstrate the potential of AI-SPM to significantly improve data acquisition. The integration of AI into SPM technologies represents a step toward more effective, precise and reliable atomic-level surface analysis, revolutionizing materials characterization methods

Revisiting the T2K data using different models for the neutrino-nucleus cross sections

We present a three-flavour fit to the recent \nu\mu --> \nu e and \nu\mu --> \nu\mu T2K oscillation data with different models for the neutrino-nucleus cross section. We show that, even for a limited statistics, the allowed regions and best fit points in the (\theta_{13},\delta_{CP}) and (\theta_{23},\Delta m^2_{atm}) planes are affected if, instead of using the Fermi Gas model to describe the quasielastic cross section, we employ a model including the multinucleon emission channel.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures. A new section on the inverted hierarchy added. Version matching the published one in PL

Immunology and Inflammation

In the thymus, the thymic epithelium provides a microenvironment essential for the development of functionally competent and self-tolerant T cells. Previous findings showed that modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in mouse thymic epithelial cells (TECs) disrupts embryonic thymus organogenesis. However, the role of β-catenin in TECs for postnatal T-cell development remains to be elucidated. Here, we analyzed gain-of-function (GOF) and loss-of-function (LOF) of β-catenin highly specific in mouse TECs. We found that GOF of β-catenin in TECs results in severe thymic dysplasia and T-cell deficiency beginning from the embryonic period. By contrast, LOF of β-catenin in TECs reduces the number of cortical TECs and thymocytes modestly and only postnatally. These results indicate that fine-tuning of β-catenin expression within a permissive range is required for TECs to generate an optimal microenvironment to support postnatal T-cell development

Development of Thick-foil and Fine-pitch GEMs with a Laser Etching Technique

We have produced thick-foil and fine-pitch gas electron multipliers (GEMs) using a laser etching technique. To improve production yield we have employed a new material, Liquid Crystal Polymer, instead of polyimide as an insulator layer. The effective gain of the thick-foil GEM with a hole pitch of 140 um, a hole diameter of 70 um, and a thickness of 100 um reached a value of 10^4 at an applied voltage of 720 V. The measured effective gain of the thick-foil and fine-pitch GEM (80 um pitch, 40 um diameter, and 100 um thick) was similar to that of the thick-foil GEM. The gain stability was measured for the thick-foil and fine-pitch GEM, showing no significant increase or decrease as a function of elapsed time from applying the high voltage. The gain stability over 3 h of operation was about 0.5%. Gain mapping across the GEM showed a good uniformity with a standard deviation of about 4%. The distribution of hole diameters across the GEM was homogeneous with a standard deviation of about 3%. There was no clear correlation between the gain and hole diameter maps.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figure

Flipping SU(5) out of Trouble

Minimal supersymmetric SU(5) GUTs are being squeezed by the recent values of alpha_s, sin^2 theta_W, the lower limit on the lifetime for p to nubar K decay, and other experimental data. We show how the minimal flipped SU(5) GUT survives these perils, accommodating the experimental values of alpha_s and sin^2 theta_W and other constraints, while yielding a p to e/mu+ pi0 lifetime beyond the present experimental limit but potentially accessible to a further round of experiments. We exemplify our analysis using a set of benchmark supersymmetric scenarios proposed recently in a constrained MSSM framework.Comment: 12 pages LaTex, 3 eps figure

Orthogonal U(1)'s, Proton Stability and Extra Dimensions

In models with a low quantum gravity scale, one might expect that all operators consistent with gauge symmetries are present in the low-energy effective theory. If this is the case, some mechanism must be present to adequately suppress operators that violate baryon number. Here we explore the possibility that the desired suppression is a consequence of an additional, spontaneously-broken, non-anomalous U(1) symmetry that is orthogonal to hypercharge. We show that successful models can be constructed in which the additional particle content necessary to cancel anomalies is minimal, and compatible with the constraints from precision electroweak measurements and gauge unification. If unification is sacrificed, and only the new U(1) and its associated Higgs fields live in the bulk, it is possible that the gauge field zero mode and first few Kaluza-Klein excitations lie within the kinematic reach of the Tevatron. For gauge couplings not much smaller than that of hypercharge, we show that these highly leptophobic states could evade detection at Run I, but be discovered at Run II. Our scenario presents an alternative to the `cartographic' solution to baryon number violation in which leptons and quarks are separated in an extra dimension.Comment: 16 pages LaTeX, 4 figure

In-depth analysis of the single grain from the C-type asteroid Ryugu utilizing linkage microanalytical instruments planed by Phase 2 curation “Team Kochi”

The Tenth Symposium on Polar Science/Special session: [OA] Antarctic meteorites, Thur. 5 Dec. / 3F Multipurpose conference room, National Institute of Polar Researc

Research Activities in the Department of Occupational Therapy

Even though the purpose of the services provided by occupational therapy is to help and to support the daily life of clients, the actual services extend to a wide range of daily activities. Thus, research in occupational therapy covers a wide range of activities which can be modified and changed according to the needs of clients. Research activities conducted by clinical psychologists and English teachers who staff the Department of Occupational Therapy at Aino University are also summarized below. [1. Research in Occupational Therapy for Physically Handicapped.] We are involved in a study of the efficient motion analysis in the activity of daily life (ADL) in part with the staff of the Department of Clinical Engineering. We analyze the muscle tone under various locomotive operations by quantifying muscle tone with surface electro-myography (EMG). We have studied the brain network related to memory and learning in the training tasks that enable effective learning skills and their clinical application