Method of mechanical holding of cantilever chip for tip-scan high-speed atomic force microscope

In tip-scan atomic force microscopy (AFM) that scans a cantilever chip in the three dimensions, the chip body is held on the Z-scanner with a holder. However, this holding is not easy for high-speed (HS) AFM because the holder that should have a small mass has to be able to clamp the cantilever chip firmly without deteriorating the Z-scanner\u27s fast performance, and because repeated exchange of cantilever chips should not damage the Z-scanner. This is one of the reasons that tip-scan HS-AFM has not been established, despite its advantages over sample stage-scan HS-AFM. Here, we present a novel method of cantilever chip holding which meets all conditions required for tip-scan HS-AFM. The superior performance of this novel chip holding mechanism is demonstrated by imaging of the α3β3 subcomplex of F1-ATPase in dynamic action at ∼7 frames/s. © 2015 AIP Publishing LLC

高速原子間力 / 一分子蛍光顕微鏡複合機の開発

13301甲第4401号博士(理学)金沢大学博士論文本文Ful

Ground-state properties of neutron-rich Mg isotopes

We analyze recently-measured total reaction cross sections for 24-38Mg isotopes incident on 12C targets at 240 MeV/nucleon by using the folding model and antisymmetrized molecular dynamics(AMD). The folding model well reproduces the measured reaction cross sections, when the projectile densities are evaluated by the deformed Woods-Saxon (def-WS) model with AMD deformation. Matter radii of 24-38Mg are then deduced from the measured reaction cross sections by fine-tuning the parameters of the def-WS model. The deduced matter radii are largely enhanced by nuclear deformation. Fully-microscopic AMD calculations with no free parameter well reproduce the deduced matter radii for 24-36Mg, but still considerably underestimate them for 37,38Mg. The large matter radii suggest that 37,38Mg are candidates for deformed halo nucleus. AMD also reproduces other existing measured ground-state properties (spin-parity, total binding energy, and one-neutron separation energy) of Mg isotopes. Neutron-number (N) dependence of deformation parameter is predicted by AMD. Large deformation is seen from 31Mg with N = 19 to a drip-line nucleus 40Mg with N = 28, indicating that both the N = 20 and 28 magicities disappear. N dependence of neutron skin thickness is also predicted by AMD.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Improving the Research Environment of High Performance Computing for Non-Cluster Experts Based on Knoppix Instant Computing Technology

Abstract. We have designed and implemented a new portable system that can rapidly construct a computer environment where highthroughput research applications can be performed instantly. One challenge in the instant computing area is constructing a cluster system instantly, and then readily restoring it to its former state. This paper presents an approach for instant computing using Knoppix technology that can allow even a non-computer specialist to easily construct and operate a Beowulf cluster . In the present bio-research field, there is now an urgent need to address the nagging problem posed by having highperformance computers. Therefore, we were assigned the task of proposing a way to build an environment where a cluster computer system can be instantly set up. Through such research, we believe that the technology can be expected to accelerate scientific research. However, when employing this technology in bio-research, a capacity barrier exists when selecting a clustered Knoppix system for a data-driven bioinformatics application. We have approached ways to overcome said barrier by using a virtual integrated RAM-DISK to adapt to a parallel file system. To show an actual example using a reference application, we have chosen InterProScan, which is an integrated application prepared by the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) that utilizes many database and scan methods. InterProScan is capable of scaling workload with local computational resources, though biology researchers and even bioinformatics researchers find such extensions difficult to set up. We have achieved the purpose of allowing even researchers who are non-cluster experts to easily build a system of "Knoppix for the InterProScan4.1 High Throughput Computing Edition." The system we developed is capable of not only constructing a cluster computer environment composed of 32 computers in about ten minutes (as opposed to six hours when done manually), but also restoring the original environment by rebooting the pre-existing operating system. The goal of our instant cluster computing is to provide an environment in which any target application can be built instantly from anywhere

The Inhibitory Effect of Kakkonto, Japanese Traditional (Kampo) Medicine, on Brain Penetration of Oseltamivir Carboxylate in Mice with Reduced Blood-Brain Barrier Function

Oseltamivir phosphate (OP) is used to treat influenza virus infections. However, its use may result in central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects. In Japan, OP is used with Kampo formulations to improve clinical effectiveness. We evaluated the potential for using Kampo formulations to reduce CNS adverse effects by quantifying the CNS distribution of oseltamivir and its active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) when administered with maoto and kakkonto. We administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by intraperitoneal injection to C57BL/6 mice to reduce blood-brain barrier function. Saline, maoto, and kakkonto were administered orally at the same time as LPS. OP was orally administered 4 hours after the last LPS injection and the migration of oseltamivir and OC was examined. Additionally, we examined the brain distribution of OC following intravenous administration. Changes in OC concentrations in the brain suggest that, in comparison to LPS-treated control mice, both Kampo formulations increased plasma levels of OC, thereby enhancing its therapeutic effect. Additionally, our findings suggest kakkonto may not only improve the therapeutic effect of oseltamivir but also reduce the risk of CNS-based adverse effects. Considering these findings, it should be noted that administration of kakkonto during periods of inflammation has led to increased OAT3 expression

Field measurements of absolute gravity in East Antarctica

This paper reports the results of field-based absolute gravity measurements aimed at detecting gravity change and crustal displacement caused by glacial isostatic adjustment. The project was initiated within the framework of the 53rd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE53). Absolute gravity measurements, together with GPS measurements, were planned at several outcrops along the Prince Olav Coast and Sôya Coast of East Antarctica, including at Syowa Station. Since the icebreaker Shirase (AGB 5003) was unable to moor alongside Syowa Station, operations were somewhat restricted during JARE53. However, despite this setback, we were able to complete measurements at two sites: Syowa Station and Langhovde. The absolute gravity value at the Syowa Station IAGBN (A) site, observed using an FG-5 absolute gravimeter (serial number 210; FG-5 #210), was 982 524 322.7±0.1 μGal, and the gravity change rate at the beginning of 2012 was –0.26 μGal∙a-1. An absolute gravity value of 982 535 584.2±0.7 μGal was obtained using a portable A-10 absolute gravimeter (serial number 017; A-10 #017) at the newly located site AGS01 in Langhovde

Personalized prediction of overall survival in patients with AML in non‐complete remission undergoing allo‐HCT

Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the standard treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in non-complete remission (non-CR); however, the prognosis is inconsistent. This study aimed to develop and validate nomograms and a web application to predict the overall survival (OS) of patients with non-CR AML undergoing allo-HCT (cord blood transplantation [CBT], bone marrow transplantation [BMT], and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation [PBSCT]). Data from 3052 patients were analyzed to construct and validate the prognostic models. The common significant prognostic factors among patients undergoing allo-HCT were age, performance status, percentage of peripheral blasts, cytogenetic risk, chemotherapy response, and number of transplantations. The conditioning regimen was a significant prognostic factor only in patients undergoing CBT. Compared with cyclophosphamide/total body irradiation, a conditioning regimen of ≥3 drugs, including fludarabine, with CBT exhibited the lowest hazard ratio for mortality (0.384; 95% CI, 0.266-0.554; p < 0.0001). A conditioning regimen of ≥3 drugs with CBT also showed the best leukemia-free survival among all conditioning regimens. Based on the results of the multivariable analysis, we developed prognostic models showing adequate calibration and discrimination (the c-indices for CBT, BMT, and PBSCT were 0.648, 0.600, and 0.658, respectively). Our prognostic models can help in assessing individual risks and designing future clinical studies. Furthermore, our study indicates the effectiveness of multi-drug conditioning regimens in patients undergoing CBT

A Report on Overseas Teaching Practicum by Graduate Students in Elementary/Secondary Schools in the United States （XII）

This paper reports on the overseas teaching practicum in the U.S., which was supposed to be the 12th time this year. Eight students joined this year’s program and they prepared for the practicum in the U.S. They met regularly to discuss the lesson plans and deepen their understanding on how to create a lesson and what scaffolding steps they should prepare for conveying messages to American children who know little about Japanese culture and having different background from us. Unfortunately, just a few days before the departure, we had to give up our visit to the U.S. since there was a high chance of a hurricane hitting the area we were to visit. Though we could not make our visit in September, instead we held a forum in November and exchanged discussion on the impact of the program to the participants and the schools which accept us. The details of the lesson plans and the forum are reported in this paper

レーザードプラー血流計による高齢者の末梢循環の数量的解析

糖尿病や閉塞性動脈硬化症(ASO)の患者に合併する難治性潰瘍や壊疸の予知,予防を目的として高齢者の末梢循環の観察を行った. 下肢に冷え症,しびれ感,神経痛,歩行障害等を有し温泉療法を希望した患者21例(年齢58-78歳,平均年齢71.4歳)について,下肢の末梢循環障害の程度をレーザードプラー血流計を用いて評価した｡測定は20℃冷水負荷後30分後に,末梢皮膚血流量について測定を行った｡ レーザードプラー血流計で得られた結果は左右足趾始起部5カ所,計10カ所の平均値で表した｡7例については1年後に再測定を行った.14例についてはプロスタグランディン製剤(ベラプロスト)を投与し3ケ月後に再測定を行った｡ 1.自然経過群の7例(平均年齢73.0歳)は初回測定時の血流量は1.82±0.98であった｡2回目測定時は1.59±0.40であった｡血流量の低下傾向を認めたが有意差を認めなかった｡ 2.一方,ベラプロスト内服群の14例(平均年齢70.6歳)は初回測定時の血流量は1.27±0.35であった｡2回目測定時には1.62±0.51であった｡血流量の増加を認めた(P<0.0002)。 3.両群について,3ヶ月当たりの変化率で比較したところ自然経過群は3ヶ月当たり-1.7%の低下傾向を示した｡一方,ベラプロスト内服群は+15.4%の増加(p<0.02)を示 した｡ 4.プロスタグランディン製剤の内服中であっても加齢と共に末梢循環血流Iが低下する症例があり温泉療法を含めた集学的治療の必要性が示唆された