Electronic inhomogeneity and competing phases in electron-doped superconducting Pr0.88LaCe0.12CuO4

We use neutron scattering to demonstrate that electron-doped superconducting Pr0.88LaCe0.12CuO4 in the underdoped regime is electronically phase separated in the ground state, showing the coexistence of a superconducting phase with a three-dimensional antiferromagnetically ordered phase and a quasi-two-dimensional spin density wave modulation. The Neel temperature of both antiferromagnetic phases decreases linearly with increasing superconducting transition temperature (Tc) and vanishes when optimal superconductivity is achieved. These results indicate that the electron-doped copper oxides are close to a quantum critical point, where the delicate energetic balance between different competing states leads to microscopic heterogeneity.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, accepted to Phys. Rev. B as a rapid communicatio

Protein Kinase R Modulates c-Fos and c-Jun Signaling to Promote Proliferation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase R (PKR) is known to be upregulated by hepatitis C virus (HCV) and overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the precise roles of PKR in HCC with HCV infection remain unclear. Two HCV replicating cell lines (JFH-1 and H77s), generated by transfection of Huh7.5.1 cells, were used for experiments reported here. PKR expression was modulated with siRNA and a PKR expression plasmid, and cancer-related genes were assessed by real-time PCR and Western blotting; cell lines were further analyzed using a proliferation assay. Modulation of genes by PKR was also assessed in 34 human HCC specimens. Parallel changes in c-Fos and c-Jun gene expression with PKR were observed. Levels of phosphorylated c-Fos and c-Jun were upregulated by an increase of PKR, and were related to levels of phosphorylated JNK1 and Erk1/2. DNA binding activities of c-Fos and c-Jun also correlated with PKR expression, and cell proliferation was dependent on PKR-modulated c-Fos and c-Jun expression. Coordinate expression of c-Jun and PKR was confirmed in human HCC specimens with HCV infection. PKR upregulated c-Fos and c-Jun activities through activation of Erk1/2 and JNK1, respectively. These modulations resulted in HCC cell proliferation with HCV infection. These findings suggest that PKR-related proliferation pathways could be an attractive therapeutic target

5MHz PWM-controlled current-mode resonant DC-DC converter using GaN-FETs

In this paper, the method of the realization of a MHz level switching frequency DC-DC converter for high power-density is presented. For high power-density, Gallium Nitride field effect transistor (GaN-FET) and current-mode resonant DC-DC converter are adopted. In addition, the proposed pulse width modulation (PWM) control method which is suitable for the isolated current-mode resonant DC-DC converter operated at MHz level switching frequency, and the novel primary-side zero voltage switching (ZVS) turn on method for the proposed PWM control are presented. Some experiments have been done with 5MHz isolated DC-DC converter which has GaN-FET, and the total volume of the circuit is 16.14cm3. With the proposed PWM control method, input voltage range is 36-44V, and maximum load current range is 8A at Vi = 44V. The primary-side ZVS turn on is confirmed, and the maximum power-efficiency is 89.4%.7th International Power Electronics Conference, IPEC-Hiroshima - ECCE Asia 2014; Hiroshima; Japan; 18 May 2014 through 21 May 201

Five-Megahertz PWM-Controlled Current-Mode Resonant DC?DC Step-Down Converter Using GaN-HEMTs

High power efficiency and high power density are required in regulated isolated dc-dc converters. In this paper, a novel pulsewidth modulation (PWM) control method that is suitable for an isolated current-mode resonant dc-dc converter operated at a megahertz-level switching frequency is proposed. The output voltage with the proposed method can be regulated with no additional components at a fixed switching frequency. In addition, the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) of primary-side switches at turn on can be maintained. The principle of the proposed method and the method of the ZVS operation in the proposed method are explained. Some experiments have been performed with a 5-MHz isolated step-down dc-dc converter using gallium nitride high-electron-mobility transistors; the output voltage is 12 V, and the total volume of the circuit is 16.14 cm3. With the proposed PWM control method, the input voltage range is 42-45.5 V, and the maximum load current range is 10 A at Vi = 45.5 V. The ZVS of the primary-side switches at turn on is confirmed in all experimental regions, and the maximum power efficiency is 89.2%

High frequency PWM-controlled current-mode resonant DC-DC converter with boost conversion

In this paper, a new pulse width modulation (PWM) control method for the isolated current-mode resonant converter with a fixed switching frequency is presented. The circuit topology is the same as a conventional resonant converter with synchronous rectification and without any additional components. The control technique for the output voltage regulation is proposed with the unique PWM control for synchronously-rectifying switches. By using the transformer\u27s leakage inductance and the PWM control, the boost conversion can be realized. Also, the zero-voltage switching (ZVS) operation can be done for primary switches, simultaneously. Some experiments have been done with 5MHz isolated DC-DC converter which has Gallium Nitride field effect transistor (GaN-FET).2013 15th European Conference on Power Electronics and Applications, EPE 2013; Lille; France; 2 September 2013 through 6 September 201

STRAD Project for Systematic Treatments of Radioactive Liquid Wastes Generated in Nuclear Facilities

A new collaborative research project for systematic treatments of radioactive liquid wastes containing various reagents generating in nuclear facilities was started from 2018 initiated by Japan Atomic Energy Agency. The project was named as STRAD (Systematic Treatments of RAdioactive liquid wastes for Decommissioning) project. Tentative targets to be studied under the project are aqueous and organic liquid wastes which have been generated by experiments and analyses in a reprocessing experimental laboratory of JAEA. Currently fundamental studies for treatments of the liquid wastes with complicated compositions are underway. In the STRAD project, process flow for treatment of ammonium ion involved in aqueous waste was designed though the inactive experiments, and decomposition of ammonium ion using catalysis will be carried out soon. Adsorbents for recovery of U and Pu from spent solvent were also developed. Demonstration experiments on genuine spent solvent is under planning

Microscopic annealing process and its impact on superconductivity in T'-structure electron-doped copper oxides

High-transition-temperature superconductivity arises in copper oxides when holes or electrons are doped into the CuO2 planes of their insulating parent compounds. While hole-doping quickly induces metallic behavior and superconductivity in many cuprates, electron-doping alone is insufficient in materials such as R2CuO4 (R is Nd, Pr, La, Ce, etc.), where it is necessary to anneal an as-grown sample in a low-oxygen environment to remove a tiny amount of oxygen in order to induce superconductivity. Here we show that the microscopic process of oxygen reduction repairs Cu deficiencies in the as-grown materials and creates oxygen vacancies in the stoichiometric CuO2 planes, effectively reducing disorder and providing itinerant carriers for superconductivity. The resolution of this long-standing materials issue suggests that the fundamental mechanism for superconductivity is the same for electron- and hole-doped copper oxides.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Nature Material

Single nucleotide polymorphism-based genome-wide linkage analysis in Japanese atopic dermatitis families

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atopic dermatitis develops as a result of complex interactions between several genetic and environmental factors. To date, 4 genome-wide linkage studies of atopic dermatitis have been performed in Caucasian populations, however, similar studies have not been done in Asian populations. The aim of this study was to identify chromosome regions linked to atopic dermatitis in a Japanese population.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used a high-density, single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay, the Illumina BeadArray Linkage Mapping Panel (version 4) comprising 5,861 single nucleotide polymorphisms, to perform a genome-wide linkage analysis of 77 Japanese families with 111 affected sib-pairs with atopic dermatitis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found suggestive evidence for linkage with 15q21 (LOD = 2.01, NPL = 2.87, <it>P </it>= .0012) and weak linkage to 1q24 (LOD = 1.26, NPL = 2.44, <it>P </it>= .008).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We report the first genome-wide linkage study of atopic dermatitis in an Asian population, and novel loci on chromosomes 15q21 and 1q24 linked to atopic dermatitis. Identification of novel causative genes for atopic dermatitis will advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.</p

Genome-Wide Association Study Confirming Association of HLA-DP with Protection against Chronic Hepatitis B and Viral Clearance in Japanese and Korean

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can lead to serious liver diseases, including liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, about 85–90% of infected individuals become inactive carriers with sustained biochemical remission and very low risk of LC or HCC. To identify host genetic factors contributing to HBV clearance, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and replication analysis using samples from HBV carriers and spontaneously HBV-resolved Japanese and Korean individuals. Association analysis in the Japanese and Korean data identified the HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1 genes with Pmeta = 1.89×10−12 for rs3077 and Pmeta = 9.69×10−10 for rs9277542. We also found that the HLA-DPA1 and HLA-DPB1 genes were significantly associated with protective effects against chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Japanese, Korean and other Asian populations, including Chinese and Thai individuals (Pmeta = 4.40×10−19 for rs3077 and Pmeta = 1.28×10−15 for rs9277542). These results suggest that the associations between the HLA-DP locus and the protective effects against persistent HBV infection and with clearance of HBV were replicated widely in East Asian populations; however, there are no reports of GWAS in Caucasian or African populations. Based on the GWAS in this study, there were no significant SNPs associated with HCC development. To clarify the pathogenesis of CHB and the mechanisms of HBV clearance, further studies are necessary, including functional analyses of the HLA-DP molecule