Discrete universality for Matsumoto zeta-functions and the nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta-function

In 2017, Garunk\v{s}tis, Laurin\v{c}ikas and Macaitien\.{e} proved the discrete universality theorem for the Riemann zeta-function sifted by the nontrivial zeros of the Riemann zeta-function. This discrete universality has been extended in various zeta-functions and $L$-functions. In this paper, we generalize this discrete universality for Matsumoto zeta-functions.Comment: 8 page

Electron transfer characteristics of amino acid adsorption on epitaxial graphene FETs on SiC substrates

Clarifying the adsorption characteristics of biomolecules on graphene surfaces is critical for the development of field-effect transistor (FET)-based biosensors for detecting pH, DNA, proteins, and other biomarkers. Although there are many reports on biomolecule detection using graphene FETs, the detection mechanism has not yet been clarified. In this study, the adsorption behavior and electron transfer characteristics of 20 proteinogenic amino acids on graphene field-effect transistors are investigated. Large single-crystal graphene films were epitaxially grown on SiC substrates by a resist-free metal stencil mask lithography process then patterned by air plasma etching to form FET devices. Amino acids with different charge conditions (positive or negative charge) were introduced onto the epitaxial graphene surface in solution. The charge neutral points of the drain current vs gate voltage curves shifted in the negative gate voltage direction after the introduction of all amino acids, regardless of the type of amino acid and its charge condition. These amino acid adsorption characteristics agree well with previously reported protein adsorption characteristics on epitaxial graphene surfaces, indicating that the adsorption of proteins in the liquid phase occurs by electron doping to the graphene surface. These results indicate that non-specific protein binding always leads to electron doping of epitaxial graphene FETs

Experimental model for the irradiation-mediated abscopal effect and factors influencing this effect

Radiotherapy (RT) is the primary treatment for cancer. Ionizing radiation from RT induces tumor damage at the irradiated site, and, although clinically infrequent, may cause regression of tumors distant from the irradiated site-a phenomenon known as the abscopal effect. Recently, the abscopal effect has been related to prolongation of overall survival time in cancer patients, though the factors that influence the abscopal effect are not well understood. The aim of this study is to clarify the factors influencing on abscopal effect. Here, we established a mouse model in which we induced the abscopal effect. We injected MC38 (mouse colon adenocarcinoma) cells subcutaneously into C57BL/6 mice at two sites. Only one tumor was irradiated and the sizes of both tumors were measured over time. The non-irradiated-site tumor showed regression, demonstrating the abscopal effect. This effect was enhanced by an increase in the irradiated-tumor volume and by administration of anti-PD1 antibody. When the abscopal effect was induced by a combination of RT and anti-PD1 antibody, it was also influenced by radiation dose and irradiated-tumor volume. These phenomena were also verified in other cell line, B16F10 cells (mouse melanoma cells). These findings provide further evidence of the mechanism for, and factors that influence, the abscopal effect in RT

Research on in-service training for teachers as continuous learners (2): Content of and measures related to in-service training

The purpose of this study is to clarify the contents, method, and other ideas of in-service teacher training, its effect evaluation and the instruction for teaching supervisors which entail an element of independent and collaborative learning. Fifty-three educational committees of prefectural and city governments which have the authority to offer in-service teacher training that responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 46.49 %). The free descriptions about in-service teacher training and its effect evaluation were analyzed and considered by applying subject classification which is one of the text-mining approaches and classified into the following 10 clusters: group work, attendee, school, resolution, practice, theory, training, teaching plan, research discussion, and class. Also, the free descriptions about the instruction for teaching supervisors were analyzed similarly and classified into the following 6 clusters: visit, training, teachers, improvements, attendance, after in-service teacher training. On the basis these results, this study discussed the actual condition of in-service teacher training, its effect evaluation and the instruction for teaching supervisors.This research was subsidized by the (B) "Development of Active Learning Based Teacher Training Programs that Support Teachers as Continuous Learners" (JP 16H03765) grant-in-aid for scientific research from JSPS

Photo Irradiation-Induced Core Crosslinked Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(aspartic acid) Micelles: Optimization of Block Copolymer Synthesis and Characterization of Core Crosslinked Micelles

We used photo irradiation to design core crosslinked polymeric micelles whose only significant physico-chemical change was in their physico-chemical stability, which helps elucidate poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-related immunogenicity. Synthetic routes and compositions of PEG-b-poly(aspartic acid) block copolymers were optimized with the control of n-alkyl chain length and photo-sensitive chalcone moieties. The conjugation ratio between n-alkyl chain and the chalcone moieties was controlled, and upon the mild photo irradiation of polymeric micelles, permanent crosslink proceeded in the micelle cores. In the optimized condition, the core crosslinked (CCL) micelles exhibited no dissociation while the non-CCL micelles exhibited dissociation. These results indicate that the photo-crosslinking reactions in the inner core were successful. A gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) measurement revealed a difference between the micellar-formation stability of CCL micelles and that of the non-CCL micelles. GPC experiments revealed that the CCL micelles were more stable than the non-CCL micelles. Our research also revealed that photo-crosslinking reactions did not change the core property for drug encapsulation. In conclusion, the prepared CCL micelles exhibited the same diameter, the same formula, and the same inner-core properties for drug encapsulation as did the non-CCL micelles. Moreover, the CCL micelles exhibited non-dissociable micelle formation, while the non-CCL micelles exhibited dissociation into single block copolymers

Complexes Covered with Phosphorylcholine Groups Prepared by Mixing Anionic Diblock Copolymers and Cationic Surfactants

Anionic diblock copolymers (P_<i>m</i>A_<i>n</i>) composed of biocompatible polybetaine, poly­(2-(methacryloyloxy)­ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC), and anionic poly­(sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate) (PAMPS) were synthesized via reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization. Two types of diblock copolymers (P₂₄A₂₁₇ and P₁₀₀A₉₉) were prepared with different compositions. The P_<i>m</i>A_<i>n</i>/CTAB complexes were formed by a stoichiometrically charge-neutralized mixture of anionic P_<i>m</i>A_<i>n</i> and cationic cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles in water. The complexes prepared using P₂₄A₂₁₇ and P₁₀₀A₉₉ were vesicles and micelles, respectively, and were covered with hydrophilic PMPC shells. The complexes dissociated upon addition of NaCl because the complex was maintained through electrostatic interactions. The P₂₄A₂₁₇/CTAB vesicles could encapsulate uncharged hydrophilic guest molecules into the interior of the aqueous phase

Polyion Complex Vesicles with Solvated Phosphobetaine Shells Formed from Oppositely Charged Diblock Copolymers

Diblock copolymers consisting of a hydrophilic poly(2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) block and either a cationic or anionic block were prepared from (3-(methacrylamido)propyl)trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) or sodium 2-(acrylamido)-2-methylpropanesulfonate (AMPS). Polymers were synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) radical polymerization using a PMPC macro-chain transfer agent. The degree of polymerization for PMPC, cationic PMAPTAC, and anionic PAMPS blocks was 20, 190, and 196, respectively. Combining two solutions of oppositely charged diblock copolymers, PMPC-b-PMAPTAC and PMPC-b-PAMPS, led to the spontaneous formation of polyion complex vesicles (PICsomes). The PICsomes were characterized using 1H NMR, static abd dynamic light scattering, transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy. Maximum hydrodynamic radius (Rh) for the PICsome was observed at a neutral charge balance of the cationic and anionic diblock copolymers. The Rh value and aggregation number (Nagg) of PICsomes in 0.1 M NaCl was 78.0 nm and 7770, respectively. A spherical hollow vesicle structure was observed in TEM images. The hydrodynamic size of the PICsomes increased with concentration of the diblock copolymer solutions before mixing. Thus, the size of the PICsomes can be controlled by selecting an appropriate preparation method