Iron-Based Heavy Quasiparticles in SrFe4_{4}Sb12_{12}: An Infrared Spectroscopic Study

Temperature-dependent infrared reflectivity spectra of SrFe$_{4}$Sb$_{12}$ has been measured. A renormalized Drude peak with a heavy effective mass and a pronounced pseudogap of 10 meV develops in the optical conductivity spectra at low temperatures. As the temperature decreases below 100 K, the effective mass ($m^{*}$) rapidly increases, and the scattering rate ($1/\tau$) is quenched. The temperature dependence of $m^{*}$ and $1/\tau$ indicates that the hybridization between the Fe 3d spins and the charge carriers plays an important role in determining the physical properties of SrFe$_{4}$Sb$_{12}$ at low temperatures. This result is the clear evidence of the iron-based heavy quasiparticles.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Experiential Pre-service Teacher-Training Program to Promote Students’ Independent Learning : Case Study of the Hiroshima University Friendship Project

This study sought to investigate the ways that an experiential pre-service teacher-training program promotes students’ independent learning by examining the Hiroshima University Friendship Project (HUFP). The results revealed several transitions in the history of the HUFP. It was initially expected that students’ independent learning would be deepened through activities administered as initiatives of university teachers. However, some students felt that these arranged activities were childish, and did not promote their independent learning. Several years later, the establishment of a student organization changed the program to an alternative format, in which students are the central administrators, promoting their independent learning. Thus, the results demonstrate the importance of striking a balance between student-led administration and support from university teachers to promote students’ independent learning

IRE1-XBP1 Pathway of the Unfolded Protein Response Is Required during Early Differentiation of C2C12 Myoblasts

ArticleInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21(1): 182. (2019)journal articl

Control of nitrogen atomic density and enthalpy flow into reaction chamber in Ar/N2 pulse-modulated induction thermal plasmas

金沢大学大学院自然科学研究科電子科学金沢大学工学部Simultaneous control of the nitrogen atomic density and the enthalpy flow onto the specimen installed downstream of the plasma torch was accomplished using Ar/N2 pulse-modulated induction thermal plasmas (PMITPs). Such simultaneous control was difficult to realize because the increasing input power into conventional nonmodulation thermal plasmas increases the number density of the nitrogen atoms, but it also increases the enthalpy flow onto the specimen. The behavior of the excited nitrogen atoms was measured through spectroscopic observation. The specimen\u27s surface temperature was measured using a radiation thermometer. Then, the net enthalpy flow onto the specimen was estimated. Results showed that the modulation of coil current increases the time-averaged nitrogen atomic density and decreases the time-averaged enthalpy flow during the modulation cycle onto the specimen irradiated by the Ar/N2 PMITP. This result was confirmed by results from the developed 2-D two-temperature chemical nonequilibrium model of the Ar/N2 PMITP. © 2007 IEEE

Sol-gel chemistry mediated Zn/Al-based complex dispersant for SWCNT in water without foam formation

We report a bimetallic Zn/Al complex as an efficient inorganic dispersant for SWCNT, synthesized from Zn(CH3COO)(2) and Al(NO3)(3). The Zn/Al complex shows more than four times greater efficiency at dispersing SWCNT than widely used surfactants (CTAB and SDS). Besides remarkable dispersibility, the Zn/Al complex does not foam upon any shaking treatment and it can be used just after quick dissolution of the powdered form, which is a marked advantage over surfactants. The Zn/Al complex, containing amorphous Al(CH3COO)(3) and a complex of Zn2+ and NO3- ions, should have a unique dispersion mechanism, differing from the surfactants. Al(CH3COO)(3) has higher affinity for SWCNT than ions, adsorbing onto its surface in the first layer and attracting Zn2+ and NO3- ions. Charge transfer interactions between the Zn/Al complex and SWCNT, as evidenced by optical absorption spectroscopy, should induce a charge on SWCNT; the zeta potential of such coated SWCNT was +55 mV, indicating a high dispersion stability in aqueous media. Hence, the Zn/Al complex can widen the applications of SWCNT to various technologies such as the transparent and conductive films, as well as high performance composite polymers. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ArticleCARBON. 94:518-523 (2015)journal articl

Fetal and neonatal excretion of free and conjugated ritodrine.

The ability of the human fetus and neonate to conjugate and excrete ritodrine, a beta 2-sympathomimetic drug, was investigated. Free and conjugated ritodrine concentrations in the plasma, amniotic fluid and urine were measured in 11 mother-infant pairs, to whom intravenous ritodrine had been administered before elective cesarean section at term. Ritodrine was determined by HPLC with electrochemical detection. At delivery, conjugated ritodrine values were significantly higher than those for the free form in maternal and fetal plasma. There were significant positive correlations between the concentrations in the maternal and umbilical vein plasma for both free and conjugated ritodrine. In the amniotic fluid, the total ritodrine concentrations were much higher than those in the fetal plasma, the conjugated form accounting for 90.2% of the total. Furthermore, the percentages of conjugated ritodrine in the amniotic fluid and neonatal urine were significantly higher than the percentage in the maternal urine on the day of birth. In the neonatal urine, the concentrations of free and conjugated ritodrine decreased rapidly after birth as did those in the maternal urine, on day 3 postpartum being less than 2% of the values on the day of parturition. These results indicate that the fetus at term is capable of forming conjugated metabolites of ritodrine and of excreting free and conjugated ritodrine in its urine.</p