Stochastic dynamics of multi-waterfall hybrid inflation and formation of primordial black holes

We show that a hybrid inflation model with multiple waterfall fields can result in the formation of primordial black hole (PBH) with an astrophysical size, by using an advanced algorithm to follow the stochastic dynamics of the waterfall fields. This is in contrast to the case with a single waterfall field, where the wavelength of density perturbations is usually too short to form PBHs of the astrophysical scale (or otherwise PBH are overproduced and the model is ruled out) unless the inflaton potential is tuned. In particular, we demonstrate that PBHs with masses of order $10^{20}\, {\rm g}$ can form after hybrid inflation consistently with other cosmological observations if the number of waterfall fields is about 5 for the case of instantaneous reheating. Observable gravitational waves are produced from the second-order effect of large curvature perturbations as well as from the dynamics of texture or global defects that form after the waterfall phase transition.Comment: 23 pages, 5 figure

On the primordial black hole formation in hybrid inflation

We revisit the scenario of primordial black hole (PBH) formation from large curvature perturbations generated during the waterfall phase transition in hybrid inflation models. In a minimal setup considered in the literature, the mass and abundance of PBHs are correlated and astrophysical size PBHs tend to be overproduced. This is because a longer length scale for curvature perturbations (or a larger PBH mass) requires a longer waterfall regime with a flatter potential, which results in overproduction of curvature perturbations. However, in this paper, we discuss that the higher-dimensional terms for the inflaton potential affect the dynamics during the waterfall phase transition and show that astrophysical size PHBs of order $10^{17\text{--}23} \, {\rm g}$ (which can explain the whole dark matter) can form in some parameter space consistently with any existing constraints. The scenario can be tested by observing the induced gravitational waves from scalar perturbations by future gravitational wave experiments, such as LISA.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures; v2: minor corrections, figures updated, conclusions unchange

Observation of the Electrode Surface Microbes in Microbial Fuel Cells

Poster Presentation

Increase of DC-LAMP+ mature dendritic cell subsets in dermatopathic lymphadenitis of mycosis fungoides

Background: Little is known about the immunological milieu of the skin-draining lymph nodes (LNs) in mycosis fungoides (MF). Objectives: We studied dendritic cell (DC) subsets in the dermatopathic lymphadenitis of MF patients. Methods: We immunohistochemically examined DC subsets and their distribution in 16 LN samples from 14 patients with MF (N1 LN, eight patients; N2, four; and N3, four), and we compared them with non-metastatic sentinel LNs from eight patients with melanoma. Results: The number of S-100 protein+ DCs was markedly increased in the LNs from the MF patients and the major component was DC-LAMP+ mature DCs in the outer and paracortex areas, where DC-SIGN+ immature DCs were relatively decreased in proportion. In contrast, DC-SIGN+ cells were relatively increased in proportion compared to DC-LAMP+ cells in the medulla. Although no significant difference was observed in the proportions of CD1a+ or Langerin+ DCs among the N1, N2, and N3 nodes, CD163+ M2-type macrophages were increased in number in the N2 and N3 nodes. Conclusions: Our observations indicate that mature DCs accumulate in the outer and paracortex areas in dermatopathic lymphadenitis and M2-type macrophages might increase in number during disease progression

The dopamine D1 receptor is expressed and induces CREB phosphorylation and MUC5AC expression in human airway epithelium

Background Dopamine receptors comprise two subgroups, Gs protein-coupled “D1-like” receptors (D1, D5) and Gi-coupled “D2-like” receptors (D2, D3, D4). In airways, both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors are expressed on airway smooth muscle and regulate airway smooth muscle force. However, functional expression of the dopamine D1 receptor has never been identified on airway epithelium. Activation of Gs-coupled receptors stimulate adenylyl cyclase leading to cyclic AMP (cAMP) production, which is known to induce mucus overproduction through the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in airway epithelial cells. We questioned whether the dopamine D1 receptor is expressed on airway epithelium, and whether it promotes CREB phosphorylation and MUC5AC expression. Methods We evaluated the protein expression of the dopamine D1 receptor on native human airway epithelium and three sources of cultured human airway epithelial cells including primary cultured airway epithelial cells, the bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE14o-), and the pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line (NCI-H292) using immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. To characterize the stimulation of cAMP through the dopamine D1 receptor, 16HBE14o- cells and NCI-H292 cells were treated with dopamine or the dopamine D1 receptor agonists (SKF38393 or A68930) before cAMP measurements. The phosphorylation of CREB by A68930 in both 16HBE14o- and NCI-H292 cells was measured by immunoblot. The effect of dopamine or A68930 on the expression of MUC5AC mRNA and protein in NCI-H292 cells was evaluated by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining, respectively. Results The dopamine D1 receptor protein was detected in native human airway epithelium and three sources of cultured human airway epithelial cells. Dopamine or the dopamine D1-like receptor agonists stimulated cAMP production in 16HBE14o- cells and NCI-H292 cells, which was reversed by the selective dopamine D1-like receptor antagonists (SCH23390 or SCH39166). A68930 significantly increased phosphorylation of CREB in both 16HBE14o- and NCI-H292 cells, which was attenuated by the inhibitors of PKA (H89) and MEK (U0126). Expression of MUC5AC mRNA and protein were also increased by either dopamine or A68930 in NCI-H292 cells. Conclusions These results suggest that the activation of the dopamine D1 receptor on human airway epithelium could induce mucus overproduction, which could worsen airway obstructive symptoms

Electrical Test of Resistive and Capacitive Open Defects at Data Bus in 3D Memory IC

We propose an electrical test method of resistive and capacitive open defects occurring at data bus lines between dies, and between dies and I/O pins in 3D memory ICs. The test method is based on supply current of an IC. The number of test vectors for a 3D memory IC made of ND memory dies in the test method is 10∙ND and small. Also, defective interconnects are located by the test method. Feasibility of the tests is examined by some experiments for a circuit made of an SRAM IC on a printed circuit board. The experimental results show that capacitive open defects and resistive open ones whose resistance values are greater than 200Ω can be detected by the test method