A highly hydrophilic water-insoluble nanofiber composite as an efficient and easily-handleable adsorbent for the rapid adsorption of cesium from radioactive wastewater

Herein, we report a new Prussian blue nanoparticle (PBNPs) incorporated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite nanofiber (c-PBNPs/PVA) for the rapid adsorption of cesium (Cs) from radioactive wastewater. Initially, various electrospinning parameters such as solvent, PVA wt%, PBNPs wt% and glutaraldehyde (GA) wt% were extensively optimized to obtain a better physicochemical property of the c-PBNPs/PVA. In order to improve the water insoluble nature of the PVA, post cross-linking was carried out for the c-PBNPs/PVA using glutaraldehyde (GA) and HCl vapor as the cross-linker and catalyst, respectively. SEM images revealed the smooth and continuous morphology of the c-PBNPs/PVA composite nanofibers with diameters of 200–300 nm and lengths up to several millimeters. TEM images confirmed homogeneous dispersion and good incorporation of PBNPs into the PVA matrix. The amorphous nature of the c-PBNPs/PVA was confirmed by the XRD analysis. FT-IR spectra showed successful cross-linking of PVA with GA. It was found that the prepared composite nanofiber is highly hydrophilic and water-insoluble. The c-PBNPs/PVA showed an excellent and faster Cs adsorption rate of 96% after only 100 min. These results are comparable to those previously reported. After the Cs adsorption test, the c-PBNPs/PVA composite nanofiber can be easily separated from the wastewater.ArticleRSC ADVANCES. 4(103):59571-59578 (2014)journal articl

Identification of Qk as a Glial Precursor Cell Marker that Governs the Fate Specification of Neural Stem Cells to a Glial Cell Lineage

神経幹細胞の運命を決める分子を発見 --脳形成機構の解明と脳腫瘍や精神疾患の治療法に期待--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2020-09-28.During brain development, neural stem cells (NSCs) initially produce neurons and change their fate to generate glias. While the regulation of neurogenesis is well characterized, specific markers for glial precursor cells (GPCs) and the master regulators for gliogenesis remain unidentified. Accumulating evidence suggests that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have significant roles in neuronal development and function, as they comprehensively regulate the expression of target genes in a cell-type-specific manner. We systematically investigated the expression profiles of 1, 436 murine RBPs in the developing mouse brain and identified quaking (Qk) as a marker of the putative GPC population. Functional analysis of the NSC-specific Qk-null mutant mouse revealed the key role of Qk in astrocyte and oligodendrocyte generation and differentiation from NSCs. Mechanistically, Qk upregulates gliogenic genes via quaking response elements in their 3′ untranslated regions. These results provide crucial directions for identifying GPCs and deciphering the regulatory mechanisms of gliogenesis from NSCs

Development and Initial On-orbit Performance of Multi-Functional Attitude Sensor using Image Recognition

This paper describes a multi-functional attitude sensor mounted on the “Innovative Satellite 1st” led by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency which was launched in January 2019. In order to achieve the high accuracy determination in low cost, we developed a novel attitude sensor utilizing real-time image recognition technology, named “Deep Learning Attitude Sensor (DLAS)”. DLAS has two type of attitude sensors: Star Tracker(STT) and Earth Camera (ECAM). For the low-cost development, we adopted commercial off-the-shelf cameras. DLAS uses real-time image recognition technology and a new attitude determination algorithm. In this paper, we present the missions, methods and system configuration of DLAS and initial results of on-orbit experiment that was conducted after the middle of February 2019, and it is confirmed that attitude determinations using ECAM and STT are performed correctly

FLASHING: Project Overview

This paper describes the overview of the FLASHING (Finest Legacy Acquisitions of SiO-/ H$_2$O-maser Ignitions by the Nobeyama Generation) project promoted using the 45 m telescope of Nobeyama Radio Observatory, which aims to intensively monitor H$_2$O (22 GHz) and SiO (43 GHz) masers associated with so-called "water fountain" sources. Here we show scientific results on the basis of the data taken in for the first five seasons of FLASHING, from 2018 December to 2023 April). We have found the evolution of the H$_2$O maser spectra, such as new spectral components breaking the record of the jet's top speed and/or systematic velocity drifts in the spectrum indicating acceleration or deceleration of the maser gas clumps. For the 43 GHz SiO maser emission, we have found its new detection in a source while its permanent disappearance in other source. Our finding may imply that the jets from these water fountains can be accelerated or decelerated, and show how cicumstellar envelopes have been destroyed.Comment: 31 pages, 22 figures, to be published in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japa

Biomarkers of Radiosensitivity in A-Bomb Survivors Pregnant at the Time of Bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Purpose. There is evidence in the literature of increased maternal radiosensitivity during pregnancy. Materials and Methods. We tested this hypothesis using information from the atomic-bomb survivor cohort, that is, the Adult Health Study database at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, which contains data from a cohort of women who were pregnant at the time of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Previous evaluation has demonstrated long-term radiation dose-response effects. Results/Conclusions. Data on approximately 250 women were available to assess dose-response rates for serum cholesterol, white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum hemoglobin, and on approximately 85 women for stable chromosome aberrations, glycophorin A locus mutations, and naïve CD4 T-cell counts. Although there is no statistically significant evidence of increased radiosensitivity in pregnant women, the increased slope of the linear trend line in the third trimester with respect to stable chromosome aberrations is suggestive of an increased radiosensitivity

Engineering Model Development of HIBARI: MicroSatellite for Technology Demonstration of Variable-Shape Attitude Control

We are developing a 40kg class microsatellite “HIBARI”. The main technical mission is demonstration a novel attitude control method called “Variable Shape Attitude Control (VSAC)” proposed by Matunaga, Tokyo Institute of Technology. This VSAC is based on an idea to utilize a reaction torque generated by changing the shape of satellites, for example driving solar array paddles by actuators. HIBARI is planned to be launched in fiscal year 2021 under “Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program” led by JAXA. We are developing EM of HIBARI and describes those in this paper. Specifically, the results of missions, systems, and various tests are shown and the validity is derived

Progressive Relapse of Ligamentum Flavum Ossification Following Decompressive Surgery

Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (T-OLF) is a relatively rare spinal disorder that generally requires surgical intervention, due to its progressive nature and the poor response to conservative therapy. The prevalence of OLF has been reported at 3.8%-26%, which is similar to that of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). The progression of OPLL after cervical laminoplasty for the treatment of OPLL is often shown in long-term follow-up. However, there have been no reports on the progression of OLF following surgery. We report a case of thoracic myelopathy secondary to the progressive relapse of OLF following laminectomy

Lymphocyte subset characterization associated with persistent hepatitis C virus infection and subsequent progression of liver fibrosis

This study aims to deepen understanding of lymphocyte phenotypes related to the course of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and progression of liver fibrosis, in a cohort of atomic-bomb survivors. The study subjects comprise three groups: 162 HCV persistently infected, 145 spontaneously cleared, and 3511 uninfected individuals. We found increased percentages of peripheral blood TH1 and total CD8 T cells and decreased percentages of NK cells in the HCV persistence group, compared with the other two groups, after adjustment for age, gender, and radiation exposure dose. Subsequently, we found that increased TH1 cell percentages in the HCV persistence group were significantly associated with an accelerated time-course reduction in platelet counts―accelerated progression of liver fibrosis―while TC1 and NK cell percentages were inversely associated with the progression. This study suggests that TH1 immunity is enhanced by persistent HCV infection, and that percentages of peripheral TH1, TC1, and NK cells may help predict progression of liver fibrosis.This research was based on RERF Research Protocols 3-09, 4-02, 2-00, 9-92, and was supported in part by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID Contract HHSN272200900059C)