Nonlinear Transport in One-Dimensional Mott Insulator in Strong Electric Fields

Time-dependent Schroedinger's equation is integrated for a one-dimensional strongly-correlated electron system driven by large electric fields. For larger electric fields, many-body Landau-Zener tunneling takes place at anti-crossings of the many-body energy levels. The nonlinear $I$-$V$ characteristics as well as the time dependence of the energy expectation value are obtained. The energy of the Mott insulator in electric fields shows a saturation, which suggests a dynamical localization in energy space of many-body wave functions.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, Proceedings of SCES'04 (Karlsruhe

Virtual Idol Hatsune Miku: Case Study of New Production/Consumption Phenomena generated by Network Effects in Japan’s Online Environment

Using Hatsune Miku, a vocaloid or a Desktop Music (DTM) software using voice synthesizer technology, as a case study, this paper explores how consumer generated media (CGM) and user generated content (UGC) diffused in Japan – rapidly at first and then at an erratic and not-so-rapid pace. The creative environment ushered in by the vocaloid platform, it appears, represents a form of managed creativity , and not a rosy future characterized by a participatory turn to a widespread democratization of creative activity

Initial incorporation of phytoplankton into young ice in Saroma Ko lagoon, Hokkaido, Japan

The initial incorporation of phytoplankton into young ice was examined on February 25-28,1998 in Saroma Ko lagoon, Hokkaido, Japan to test our hypothesis that some physical selection would occur to establish the ice algal assemblages during the formation of young sea ice and the development of fast sea ice. An open pool (2×2m) was employed for the experiment. Young sea ice was collected for a 24hr experiment. Relative brine volume in the young sea ice might be related to air temperature. Incorporated contents of chlorophyll α, biogenic silica, particulate organic carbon and nitrogen were directly related to the relative brine volume. The larger than 2μm fractions of chlorophyll α and biogenic silica were 95% and 78%, respectively. The most abundant species incorporated into the young sea ice were Navicula transitans (33%) and Achnanthes taeniata (12%). Those species were originated from a water column where they were released from the bottom surface of seasonal sea ice in the vicinity of the experimental pool. Cell density of the incorporated phytoplankton ranged from 46 to 154 cells ml^ into the young sea ice and 17±5 cells ml^ in the sea water under the young sea ice. Those microscopic observations suggested the selective incorporation of phytoplankton into the young sea ice at the beginning of ice formation and it might accelerate selective development of establish the ice algal assemblages with the growth of fast sea ice

Singular behavior of the macroscopic quantities in the free molecular gas

Steady behavior of the free molecular gas is studied with a special interest in the behavior around a convex body. Two types of singular behavior are shown to occur at the level of the macroscopic quantities. Their occurrence and the strength of singularity are discussed in detail both numerically and analytically. A universal law behind them is revealed by the consideration of the local geometry of the boundary

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of the Cool Brown Dwarf, SDSS 1624+00

Using the Subaru Telescope, we have obtained multiple near-infrared spectra of the cool brown dwarf, SDSS 1624+00, in search of spectral variability in an 80 minute time span. We have found the suspected variability of water vapor absorption throughout the observations, which requires confirmation by a longer time baseline. After coadding the spectra, we have obtained a high-quality spectrum covering 1.05 to 1.8 um. Three kinds of spectral indicators, the water vapor bands, methane band, and KI lines in J band, suggest that SDSS 1624+00 is warmer and dustier than Gl 229B.Comment: 6 figures, to appear in PAS

A Case of Bilateral Adrenal and Pleural Metastases from Prostate Cancer

Our case was 65 years old. At check-up, a high PSA level of 515 ng/ml was observed, the patient was diagnosed with having clinical stage D prostate cancer and a Maximum Androgen Blockade (MAB therapy) was started. In response to the exacerbated prostate cancer, we started a therapy involving the administration of 8 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone and 55 mg/m2 of docetaxel every 3 weeks. After completing 8 courses, an enlargement of the bilateral adrenal tumor was observed, and after completing 12 courses, a pleural tumor was discovered and the PSA level was also increased. The patient was therefore diagnosed with having bilateral adrenal metastasis and pleural metastasis of prostate cancer through diagnostic imaging. So far, there have been no reports of multiple occurrences of prostate cancer in the adrenal glands and the pleura, thus making this case the first such case

Taurine in health and diseases: consistent evidence from experimental and epidemiological studies

Taurine (T) was first noted as beneficial for stroke and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) prevention in genetic rat models, stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). The preventive mechanisms of T were ascribed to sympathetic modulation for reducing blood pressure (BP) and anti-inflammatory action. Recent epidemiological surveys revealed the involvement of inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of stroke and also atherosclerosis for which T was proven to be effective experimentally. Arterio-lipidosis prone rats, a substrain of SHRSP selectively bred for higher reactive hypercholesterolemia, quickly develop not only arterial fat deposition but also fatty liver which could be attenuated by dietary T supplementation. CARDIAC (CVD and Alimentary Comparison) Study was a WHO-coordinated multi-center epidemiological survey on diets and CVD risks and mortalities in 61 populations. Twenty-four-hour urinary (24U) T was inversely related significantly with coronary heart disease mortality. Higher 24U-T excreters had significantly lower body mass index, systolic and diastolic BP, total cholesterol (T-Cho), and atherogenic index (AI: T-Cho/high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) than lower T excreters. T effects on CVD risks were intensified in individuals whose 24U-T and -magnesium (M) excretions were higher. Furthermore, higher Na excreters with higher heart rate whose BP were significantly higher than those with lower heart rate were divided into two groups by the mean of 24U-T, high and low T excreters. Since the former showed significantly lower BP than the latter, T may beneficially affect salt-sensitive BP rise. Included among the typical 61 populations, were Guiyang, China or St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada where in which the means of both 24U-T and -M were high or low, respectively. The former and the latter had low and high CVD risks, respectively. Australian Aboriginals living at the coastal area in Victoria were supposed to eat T- and M-rich bush and sea foods and be free from CVD 200 years ago, but they presently have nearly the highest CVD risks indicating that T- and/or M-containing seafood, vegetables, fruits, nuts, milk, etc, similar to prehistoric hunters’ and gatherers’ food should be good for CVD prevention. The preventive effects of T, good for health and longevity, first noted experimentally, were also proven epidemiologically in humans