DFT in supermanifold formulation and group manifold as background geometry

We develop the formulation of DFT on pre-QP-manifold. The consistency conditions like section condition and closure constraint are unified by a weak master equation. The Bianchi identities are also characterized by the pre-Bianchi identity. Then, the background metric and connections are formulated by using covariantized pre-QP-manifold. An application to the analysis of the DFT on group manifold is given.Comment: 52 pages, 2 tabels. Several references adde

An emissive charge-transfer excited-state at the well-defined hetero-nanostructure interface of an organic conjugated molecule and two-dimensional inorganic nanosheet

Precise engineering of excited-state interactions between an organic conjugated molecule and a two-dimensional semiconducting inorganic nanosheet, specifically the manipulation of charge-transfer excited (CTE) states, still remains a challenge for state-of-the-art photochemistry. Herein, we report a long-lived, highly emissive CTE state at structurally well-defined hetero-nanostructure interfaces of photoactive pyrene and two-dimensional MoS2 nanosheets via an N-benzylsuccinimide bridge (Py-Bn-MoS2). Spectroscopic measurements reveal that no charge-transfer state is formed in the ground state, but the locally-excited (LE) state of pyrene in Py-Bn-MoS2 efficiently generates an unusual emissive CTE state. Theoretical studies elucidate the interaction of MoS2 vacant orbitals with the pyrene LE state to form a CTE state that shows a distinct solvent dependence of the emission energy. This is the first example of organic-inorganic 2D hetero-nanostructures displaying mixed luminescence properties by an accurate design of the bridge structure, and therefore represents an important step in their applications for energy conversion and optoelectronic devices and sensors

Beneficial impact of Gpnmb and its significance as a biomarker in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Gpnmb is classified as a type 1 membrane protein and its soluble form is secreted by ADAM10-mediated cleavage. Gpnmb mRNA was found in the Kupffer cells and white adipose tissues (WATs) and its upregulation in obesity was recently found. Here, we generated aP2 promoter-driven Gpnmb transgenic (Tg) mice and the overexpression of Gpnmb ameliorated the fat accumulation and fibrosis of the liver in diet-induced obesity model. Soluble form of Gpnmb in sera was elevated in Gpnmb Tg mice and Gpnmb concentrated in hepatic macrophages and stellate cells interacted with calnexin, which resulted in the reduction of oxidative stress. In the patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, serum soluble GPNMB concentrations were higher compared with the patients with simple steatosis. The GPNMB is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for the development and progression of NAFLD in obesity

Fabrication of high-concentration Cu-doped deuterated targets for fast ignition experiments

In high-energy-density physics, including inertial fusion energy using high-power lasers, doping tracer atoms and deuteration of target materials play an important role in diagnosis. For example, a low-concentration Cu dopant acts as an x-ray source for electron temperature detection while a deuterium dopant acts as a neutron source for fusion reaction detection. However, the simultaneous achievement of Cu doping, a deuterated polymer, mechanical toughness and chemical robustness during the fabrication process is not so simple. In this study, we report the successful fabrication of a Cu-doped deuterated target. The obtained samples were characterized by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Simultaneous measurements of Cu K-shell x-ray emission and beam fusion neutrons were demonstrated using a petawatt laser at Osaka University.Ikeda T., Kaneyasu Y., Hosokawa H., et al. Fabrication of high-concentration Cu-doped deuterated targets for fast ignition experiments. Nuclear Fusion 63, 016010 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1088/1741-4326/aca2ba

Demonstration of a spherical plasma mirror for the counter-propagating kilojoule-class petawatt LFEX laser system

A counter-propagating laser-beam platform using a spherical plasma mirror was developed for the kilojoule-class petawatt LFEX laser. The temporal and spatial overlaps of the incoming and redirected beams were measured with an optical interferometer and an x-ray pinhole camera. The plasma mirror performance was evaluated by measuring fast electrons, ions, and neutrons generated in the counter-propagating laser interaction with a Cu-doped deuterated film on both sides. The reflectivity and peak intensity were estimated as ∼50% and ∼5 × 1018 W/cm2, respectively. The platform could enable studies of counter-streaming charged particles in high-energy-density plasmas for fundamental and inertial confinement fusion research.Kojima S., Abe Y., Miura E., et al. Demonstration of a spherical plasma mirror for the counter-propagating kilojoule-class petawatt LFEX laser system. Optics Express 30, 43491 (2022); https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.475945

Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant

オミクロンBA.2.86株のウイルス学的特性の解明. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2024-01-30.A comprehensive systematic characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 strain BA.2.86. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2024-01-31.In late 2023, several SARS-CoV-2 XBB descendants, notably EG.5.1, were predominant worldwide. However, a distinct SARS-CoV-2 lineage, the BA.2.86 variant, also emerged. BA.2.86 is phylogenetically distinct from other Omicron sublineages, accumulating over 30 amino acid mutations in its spike protein. Here, we examined the virological characteristics of the BA.2.86 variant. Our epidemic dynamics modeling suggested that the relative reproduction number of BA.2.86 is significantly higher than that of EG.5.1. Additionally, four clinically available antivirals were effective against BA.2.86. Although the fusogenicity of BA.2.86 spike is similar to that of the parental BA.2 spike, the intrinsic pathogenicity of BA.2.86 in hamsters was significantly lower than that of BA.2. Since the growth kinetics of BA.2.86 are significantly lower than those of BA.2 both in vitro and in vivo, the attenuated pathogenicity of BA.2.86 is likely due to its decreased replication capacity. These findings uncover the features of BA.2.86, providing insights for control and treatment

Virological characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 variant

SARS-CoV-2オミクロンBA.2.75株（通称ケンタウロス）のウイルス学的性状の解明. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-10-12.The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2.75 variant emerged in May 2022. BA.2.75 is a BA.2 descendant but is phylogenetically distinct from BA.5, the currently predominant BA.2 descendant. Here, we show that BA.2.75 has a greater effective reproduction number and different immunogenicity profile than BA.5. We determined the sensitivity of BA.2.75 to vaccinee and convalescent sera as well as a panel of clinically available antiviral drugs and antibodies. Antiviral drugs largely retained potency but antibody sensitivity varied depending on several key BA.2.75-specific substitutions. The BA.2.75 spike exhibited a profoundly higher affinity for its human receptor, ACE2. Additionally, the fusogenicity, growth efficiency in human alveolar epithelial cells, and intrinsic pathogenicity in hamsters of BA.2.75 were greater than those of BA.2. Our multilevel investigations suggest that BA.2.75 acquired virological properties independent of BA.5, and the potential risk of BA.2.75 to global health is greater than that of BA.5

Insights into Land Plant Evolution Garnered from the Marchantia polymorpha Genome.

The evolution of land flora transformed the terrestrial environment. Land plants evolved from an ancestral charophycean alga from which they inherited developmental, biochemical, and cell biological attributes. Additional biochemical and physiological adaptations to land, and a life cycle with an alternation between multicellular haploid and diploid generations that facilitated efficient dispersal of desiccation tolerant spores, evolved in the ancestral land plant. We analyzed the genome of the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha, a member of a basal land plant lineage. Relative to charophycean algae, land plant genomes are characterized by genes encoding novel biochemical pathways, new phytohormone signaling pathways (notably auxin), expanded repertoires of signaling pathways, and increased diversity in some transcription factor families. Compared with other sequenced land plants, M. polymorpha exhibits low genetic redundancy in most regulatory pathways, with this portion of its genome resembling that predicted for the ancestral land plant. PAPERCLIP

Convergent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron subvariants leading to the emergence of BQ.1.1 variant

In late 2022, various Omicron subvariants emerged and cocirculated worldwide. These variants convergently acquired amino acid substitutions at critical residues in the spike protein, including residues R346, K444, L452, N460, and F486. Here, we characterize the convergent evolution of Omicron subvariants and the properties of one recent lineage of concern, BQ.1.1. Our phylogenetic analysis suggests that these five substitutions are recurrently acquired, particularly in younger Omicron lineages. Epidemic dynamics modelling suggests that the five substitutions increase viral fitness, and a large proportion of the fitness variation within Omicron lineages can be explained by these substitutions. Compared to BA.5, BQ.1.1 evades breakthrough BA.2 and BA.5 infection sera more efficiently, as demonstrated by neutralization assays. The pathogenicity of BQ.1.1 in hamsters is lower than that of BA.5. Our multiscale investigations illuminate the evolutionary rules governing the convergent evolution for known Omicron lineages as of 2022