High-performance Ge/Si electro-absorption optical modulator up to 85°C and its highly efficient photodetector operation

We studied a high-speed Ge/Si electro-absorption optical modulator (EAM) evanescently coupled with a Si waveguide of a lateral p–n junction for a high-bandwidth optical interconnect over a wide range of temperatures from 25 °C to 85 °C. We demonstrated 56 Gbps high-speed operation at temperatures up to 85 °C. From the photoluminescence spectra, we confirmed that the bandgap energy dependence on temperature is relatively small, which is consistent with the shift in the operation wavelengths with increasing temperature for a Ge/Si EAM. We also demonstrated that the same device operates as a high-speed and high-efficiency Ge photodetector with the Franz-Keldysh (F-K) and avalanche-multiplication effects. These results demonstrate that the Ge/Si stacked structure is promising for both high-performance optical modulators and photodetectors integrated on Si platforms

Modulation bandwidth improvement of III-V/Si hybrid MOS optical modulator by reducing parasitic capacitance

In this work, we numerically and experimentally examined the impact of parasitic capacitance on the modulation bandwidth of a III-V/Si hybrid metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) optical modulator. The numerical analysis revealed that the parasitic capacitance between the III-V membrane and the Si slab should be considered to achieve high-speed modulation, particularly in the case of a thick gate oxide. We also fabricated a high-speed InGaAsP/Si hybrid MOS optical modulator with a low capacitance using a SiO2-embedded Si waveguide. The fabricated device exhibited a modulation efficiency of 0.245 Vcm and a 3 dB bandwidth of up to 10 GHz. Clear eye patterns with 25 Gbps non-return-to-zero (NRZ) modulation and 40 Gbps 4-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM-4) were obtained without pre-emphasis

SkewC : Identifying cells with skewed gene body coverage in single-cell RNA sequencing data

The analysis and interpretation of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) experiments are compromised by the presence of poor-quality cells. For meaningful analyses, such poor-quality cells should be excluded as they introduce noise in the data. We introduce SkewC, a quality-assessment tool, to identify skewed cells in scRNA-seq experiments. The tool's methodology is based on the assessment of gene coverage for each cell, and its skewness as a quality measure; the gene body coverage is a unique characteristic for each protocol, and different protocols yield highly different coverage profiles. This tool is designed to avoid misclustering or false clusters by identifying, isolating, and removing cells with skewed gene body coverage profiles. SkewC is capable of processing any type of scRNA-seq dataset, regardless of the protocol. We envision SkewC as a distinctive QC method to be incorporated into scRNA-seq QC processing to preclude the possibility of scRNA-seq data misinterpretation.Peer reviewe

Distinct and Essential Roles of Transcription Factors IRF-3 and IRF-7 in Response to Viruses for IFN-α/β Gene Induction

AbstractInduction of the interferon (IFN)-α/β gene transcription in virus-infected cells is an event central to innate immunity. Mice lacking the transcription factor IRF-3 are more vulnerable to virus infection. In embryonic fibroblasts, virus-induced IFN-α/β gene expression levels are reduced and the spectrum of the IFN-α mRNA subspecies altered. Furthermore, cells additionally defective in IRF-7 expression totally fail to induce these genes in response to infections by any of the virus types tested. In these cells, a normal profile of IFN-α/β mRNA induction can be achieved by coexpressing both IRF-3 and IRF-7. These results demonstrate the essential and distinct roles of the two factors, which together ensure the transcriptional efficiency and diversity of IFN-α/β genes for the antiviral response

The efficacy and safety of additional administration of tacrolimus in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who showed an inadequate response to tocilizumab

Objectives: Tocilizumab (TCZ) shows good retention in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but no previous reports demonstrated hopeful treatment options against inadequate response to TCZ. Tacrolimus (TAC) has proved to show efficacy against inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors, yet its add-on effects on TCZ remain unknown. Methods: Twenty patients with RA (17 women, age 58.6 years, disease duration 12.1 years, prior TCZ duration 2.6 years, 18 intravenous [8 mg/kg/month] and 2 subcutaneous [324 mg/month] TCZ treatments, methotrexate 6.1 mg/week [70.0%]) who showed an inadequate response to TCZ (clinical disease activity index [CDAI] ≥ 5.8, 18 secondary non-responders) were additionally treated with TAC (1.1 mg/day), and enrolled in this 24-week, prospective study. Results: Seventeen patients (85.0%) continued the treatment for 24 weeks. Statistically significant decreases in outcome measures were as follows: disease activity score based on 28 joints with C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) from 3.3 at baseline to 2.1 at week 24 (p < 0.001), CDAI from 17.7 to 7.6 (p < 0.001), and serum matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels from 232.8 to 66.2 ng/ml (p < 0.001). About 15 patients (75%) achieved low disease activity or remission (DAS28-CRP ≤2.7 or CDAI ≤10) at week 24. Conclusions: Adding low-dose TAC to inadequate responders to TCZ may be a promising complementary treatment option.Kaneshiro S., Ebina K., Hirao M., et al. The efficacy and safety of additional administration of tacrolimus in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who showed an inadequate response to tocilizumab. Modern Rheumatology 27, 42 (2017); https://doi.org/10.1080/14397595.2016.1181315

Impact of combining medial capsule interposition with modified scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus

Objectives: To clarify the effect of combining medial capsule interposition with modified scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective study included 64 cases [59 osteoarthritis patients (excluding rheumatoid arthritis); age 68.8 years, range 40–93 years] of modified scarf osteotomy which were performed from 2013 to 2017 and followed for 26.6 (range, 13–50) months. Patients were treated by either (1) without medial capsule interposition (33 cases) or (2) combined with interposition (31 cases) at each senior surgeon’s discretion. The Japanese Society for Surgery of the Foot (JSSF) hallux metatarsophalangeal (MTP)-interphalangeal scale was evaluated along with radiographic parameters (hallux valgus angle [HVA], first and second metatarsals intermetatarsal angles, and Hardy grade). Results: All JSSF scale and radiographic parameters were similar at baseline and significantly improved at final follow-up in both groups (pre-operation vs. final follow-up: p <.001). However, compared to without interposition group, interposition group showed significantly higher improvement in the JSSF scale (pre-operation to final follow-up: p value between the two groups at final follow-up) for pain (without interposition: 19.4–34.2, interposition: 18.4–37.1; p =.02), function (without interposition: 20.8–33.6, interposition: 18.3–36.6; p =.005), total score (without interposition: 41.5–81.8, interposition: 38.5–88.5; p <.001), and the MTP joint space (without interposition: 1.4–1.5 mm, interposition: 1.6–2.6 mm; p <.001) with significant correlation between the total JSSF score (r =.40; p =.001). Conclusion: Combining medial capsule interposition with modified scarf osteotomy significantly improved mid-term clinical outcomes.Ebina K., Hirao M., Tsuboi H., et al. Impact of combining medial capsule interposition with modified scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus. Modern Rheumatology 30, 204 (2020); https://doi.org/10.1080/14397595.2019.1572261

国際連携による地場産業を活かしたシームレスなデザイン教育プログラムの開発研究

　本研究は、異なるデザイン分野であるテキスタイルとファッションの教育をシームレスな人材育成教育プログラムとして構築することを目的とする。　産学連携による人材育成で実績を上げているInstitut français de la mode（IFM）での研修及びノッティンガムトレント大学との国際連携により新たな人材育成教育プログラム構築と地場産業の再構築を目指す。国際連携により教育機関が国内産地と一体となり、ラグジュアリーブランドに向け、これまでにない高品質で高付加価値のテキスタイルを作りえる人材育成を目的とし、テキスタイルからファッションに至るシームレスな人材育成教育プログラムの開発を行うものである。　目的である、テキスタイルからファッションに至るシームレスな人材育成教育プログラムの開発、市場が求める商品の提案ができる人材の育成及び産地の持つ高い技術を生かした高品質で高付加価値なテキスタイル開発を踏まえ、ラグジュアリーブランドに向けてのテキスタイル提案を目標に、テキスタイル開発と教育プログラムの運用を行った。The aim of this project is development of a seamless educational program as university, which educate to range from textile design to fashion design. However the aim is not only the development of education program but also a step of reconstruction of the local industry. Through global cooperation with IFM and Nottingham Trent University, Kobe Design University and Nishiwaki, which is the local textile industry near by Kobe Design University, worked together for making high quality and high value added textiles. The target of textiles was European luxury brands. Through these workings, we developed both education and design system for cultivation of human resources who can propose new products in luxury fashion industry with high understanding of characteristics of the local industry

播州織の高付加価値化の提案による地場産業の活性化に関する包括的研究

　本研究は播州織の高付加価値化と北播磨の地場産業を対象事例とした実践的研究によって、地場産業の活性化を促す包括的な手法を考察することを目的とする。　播州織は従来の受託加工型から産地自ら製品を開発・提案する市場開発型産地へと構造的変換が求められている。本研究は2015 年度兵庫県COEプログラム推進事業（F／S調査ステージ研究）ならびに2016・17 年度同事業（応用ステージ）から継続している研究成果を基盤とし、播州織の高付加価値化の可能性を技術的価値・経済的価値・社会的価値の三つの視点から新たな研究調査を行った。　技術的価値は技術の更新を意味し、素材次元から完成品次元までの専門技術の連携化を調査した。次に経済的価値は市場の更新を意味し、海外マーケットも視野に入れるためラグジュアリーブランドのニーズ把握と販路開拓の可能性を探った。社会的価値は意味の更新として、エシカルデザインの社会的役割について調査を実施した。研究調査と同時に、綿を使用する播州織であることから、大学の教育プログラムとして綿の栽培を行った。そして、播州にて織物のワークショップも実施した。播州織の高付加価値化と地域の活性化を促す統合的な手法の構築および考察を行った。This field study aims to reveal the integrated ways to activate local industries through the example of the high-added values of Banshuori grown in Kitaharima. The production of Banshuori grown in Kitaharima is undergoing a series of structural changes from the conventional order-made process to market developing business model with independent domestic development and proposal. This research is based on the research results that have continued from the 2015 Hyogo Prefecture COE Program Promotion Project (FS Survey Stage Study) and the 2016/17 Project (Application Stage). A new research urvey was conducted on the possibility of the high added-value of Banshuori from three viewpoints: technical value, economic value and social value. Technical value refers to the improvement of technology, collaborative investigations were done on specialized technologies from raw materials to the end products. As economic value implies the renewal of the market, we then looked at the needs of luxury brands and explored the possibility of developing sales channels taking the global market into consideration. Social value means the change of the meaning of the item and thus the social role of the craft in ethical design was investigated. Along with the investigation, cotton, a material in Banshuori grown in Kitaharima, was also inculcated in university as an educational program. Additionally, a Banshuori workshop was held in Banshu. The study investigated possible integrated ways to establish high added values on Banshuori, as well as its association with the activation of the community