Enrichment of Education and Research at Hiroshima University through the Top Global University Project

Hiroshima University named its Super (Top) Global University Project the “Hiroshima University Global Campus Expansion and Innovation Initiative”. Under this title, the university has been endeavoured to strengthen both its educational capability and research function ability with the goal of becoming by 2023 one of the world’s top 100 universities. One of the most important missions of a top university is to produce internationally ducated/experienced, globally capable human resources who have flexibility to face and resolve unpredictable issues. This book exhibits some of highlighted activities undertaken by Hiroshima University to achieve the above mentioned goals.はしがき 西谷 元 …i 序章 はじめに －大学グローバル化の諸相－ 丸山 文裕 …1 第1章 広島大学の目標達成型重要業績指標AKPI 相田 美砂子…7 第2章 国際的な教育質保証に向けた取り組み 　－Student Experience in the Research University (SERU)－ 渡邉 聡 …25 第3章 留学効果の客観的測定・プログラムの質保証 　－The Beliefs, Events, and Values Inventory (BEVI-j )－ 西谷 元 …45 第4章 三階層ティーチングアシスタント制度「Hirodai TA」の理念と実践 　－多様性を保証するグローバル・バリアフリー・キャンパス構想の実現を目指して－ 丸山 恭司・戴 容秦思・中野 登志美 …71 第5章 英語個人別期待値の設定 　－語学力向上の動機づけまたSGU 目標達成の一助として－ 西谷 元・渡邉 恵…9

Design and Demonstration of a Neutron Spin Flipper for a New Neutron Reflectometer SHARAKU at J-PARC

AbstractA new neutron reflectometer SHARAKU with vertical sample-plane geometry was installed on the beam line 17 (BL17) at Materials and Life science experiment Facility (MLF) at J-PARC. Magnetism in a thin magnetic film is one of the main targets on SHARAKU and polarizing devices and neutron spin flippers are required. Since polarized neutrons of wavelength from 0.24nm to 0.64nm can be used on SHARAKU, a neutron spin flipper has to control white neutron beam. A two-coil neutron spin flipper (Drabkin spin flipper) is one of the powerful devices to control neutron spin with white beam. In this study, the two-coil flipper was designed and installed in SHARAKU. Demonstration of the two-coil flipper was also performed and polarization of more than 0.95 with wavelengths ranging from 0.24nm to 0.64nm was obtained

Additive amelioration of ALS by co-targeting independent pathogenic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease in which glia are central mediators of motor neuron (MN) death. Since multiple cell types are involved in disease pathogenesis, the objective of this study was to determine the benefit of co-targeting independent pathogenic mechanisms in a familial ALS mouse model. METHODS: Recently, our laboratory identified that ALS microglia induce MN death in an NF-κB-dependent mechanism. We also demonstrated that a single, post-natal, intravenous injection of adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 encoding a shRNA against mutant SOD1 is able to traverse the blood-brain barrier of ALS mice and reduce SOD1-expression in astrocytes and MNs. Reducing mutant SOD1 in MNs and astrocytes led to a robust increase in survival. To evaluate the benefit of co-targeting multiple cell types in ALS, we combined microglial NF-κB suppression with SOD1 reduction in astrocytes and MNs. RESULTS: Targeting both astrocytes and microglia resulted in an additive increase in survival and motor function by delaying both onset and progression. Strikingly, targeting all three cell types (astrocytes, motor neurons [MNs], and microglia) resulted in an additive increase in lifespan and motor function, with maximum survival reaching 204 days, 67 days longer than the mean survival of untreated control animals. INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest that a combinatorial approach co-targeting different pathogenic mechanisms in independent cell types is a beneficial therapeutic strategy for ALS

Thermal Conductivity of Carbon Nanotubes and their Polymer Nanocomposites: A Review

Thermally conductive polymer composites offer new possibilities for replacing metal parts in several applications, including power electronics, electric motors and generators, heat exchangers, etc., thanks to the polymer advantages such as light weight, corrosion resistance and ease of processing. Current interest to improve the thermal conductivity of polymers is focused on the selective addition of nanofillers with high thermal conductivity. Unusually high thermal conductivity makes carbon nanotube (CNT) the best promising candidate material for thermally conductive composites. However, the thermal conductivities of polymer/CNT nanocomposites are relatively low compared with expectations from the intrinsic thermal conductivity of CNTs. The challenge primarily comes from the large interfacial thermal resistance between the CNT and the surrounding polymer matrix, which hinders the transfer of phonon dominating heat conduction in polymer and CNT. This article reviews the status of worldwide research in the thermal conductivity of CNTs and their polymer nanocomposites. The dependence of thermal conductivity of nanotubes on the atomic structure, the tube size, the morphology, the defect and the purification is reviewed. The roles of particle/polymer and particle/particle interfaces on the thermal conductivity of polymer/CNT nanocomposites are discussed in detail, as well as the relationship between the thermal conductivity and the micro- and nano-structure of the composite

Nuclear localised more sulphur accumulation1 epigenetically regulates sulphur homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana

Sulphur (S) is an essential element for all living organisms. The uptake, assimilation and metabolism of S in plants are well studied. However, the regulation of S homeostasis remains largely unknown. Here, we report on the identification and characterisation of the more sulphur accumulation1 (msa1-1) mutant. The MSA1 protein is localized to the nucleus and is required for both S adenosylmethionine (SAM) production and DNA methylation. Loss of function of the nuclear localised MSA1 leads to a reduction in SAM in roots and a strong S-deficiency response even at ample S supply, causing an over- accumulation of sulphate, sulphite, cysteine and glutathione. Supplementation with SAM suppresses this high S phenotype. Furthermore, mutation of MSA1 affects genome-wide DNA methylation, including the methylation of S-deficiency responsive genes. Elevated S accumulation in msa1-1 requires the increased expression of the sulphate transporter genes SULTR1;1 and SULTR1;2 which are also differentially methylated in msa1-1. Our results suggest a novel function for MSA1 in the nucleus in regulating SAM biosynthesis and maintaining S homeostasis epigenetically via DNA methylation

E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP facilitates Toll-like receptor signaling by recruiting and polyubiquitinating Src and atypical PKCζ

In mouse macrophages and dendritic cells, the CHIP E3 ubiquitin ligase is needed for transduction of signals initiated by TLR4 and TLR9 stimulation