Investigation of simulated annealing method and its application to optimal design of die mold for orientation of magnetic powder

Factors affecting the convergence characteristics and results obtained by the optimal design method using the finite element method and simulated annealing are investigated systematically, and the optimal parameters for simulated annealing method are obtained. The optimal shape of the die mold for orientation of the magnetic powder (nonlinear magnetostatic problem) is obtained using finite elements and simulated annealing. The experimental verification is also carried out </p

Signature of hidden order and evidence for periodicity modification in URu₂Si₂

The detail of electronic structures near the Fermi level in URu2Si2 has been investigated employing state-of-art laser angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The observation of a narrow dispersive band near the Fermi level in the ordered state as well as its absence in a Rh-substituted sample strongly suggest that the emergence of the narrow band is a clear signature of the hidden-order transition. The temperature dependence of the narrow band, which appears at the onset of the hidden-order transition, invokes the occurrence of periodicity modification in the ordered state, which is shown for the first time by any spectroscopic probe. We compare our data to other previous studies and discuss possible implications

Electronic Structure of the Novel Filled Skutterudite PrPt₄Ge₁₂ Superconductor

We have performed soft x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (SXPES) and resonant photoemission spectroscopy (RPES) of the filled skutterudite superconductor PrPt4Ge12 in order to study the electronic structure of valence band and the character of Pr 4f. SXPES of PrPt4Ge12 measured with 1200 eV photon energy, where spectral contribution of Pr 4f is negligible, was found nearly identical with that of LaPt4Ge12, indicating similarity of Pt–Ge derived electronic states of the two compounds. Good correspondence with band calculations allows us to ascribe the dominant Ge 4p character of the density of states at the Fermi level (EF). Pr 3d → 4f RPES shows that, although Pr 4f electrons in PrPt4Ge12 are not as strongly hybridized with conduction electrons near EF as in PrFe4P12, there are finite Pr 4f contribution to the states near EF in PrPt4Ge12. These PES results give the information of fundamental electronic structure for understanding the physical properties of the novel filled skutterudite superconductor PrPt4Ge12

Analysis on photoemission spectrum of superconducting FeSe

In this paper, we present the result of soft X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and its comparison with the density functional calculation. Although local density approximation seems to be a good starting point for describing the electronic structure of FeSe, the simulated spectrum poorly reproduced the structure around E(B) = 2 eV. This result suggests the necessity of theoretical treatment beyond local density approximation

Political Economy of Voluntary Approaches: A Lesson from Environmental Policies in Japan

In this paper, we attempt to identify the reasons behind the differences in environmental policy between Japan and other developed countries, particularly the US. Japan’s environmental policy is unique in that voluntary approaches have been taken to reduce total emissions. This strategy is quite different from the traditional approach of heavy-handed regulation. In Japan, voluntary approaches are conducted through negotiations with polluters. The idea behind this type of voluntary approaches is that the government can induce polluters to abate emissions voluntarily by using light-handed regulations and the threat of heavy-handed regulations. The light-handed regulation is quite effective especially when it is costly to introduce heavy-handed regulations, although the negotiations are difficult to conduct when the number of stakeholders is large. To strengthen our analysis, we provide some examples of Japanese environmental policies which are successful and the ones that are not.This paper was partially supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) 15H03354 (Shinkuma), Scientific Research (B) 15H03352 (Arimura), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research #26000001 (Managi) and the Sumitomo Foundation Grant for Environmental Research Project #153421 (Kaneko, Yamamoto and Yoshida)

Bone fragility via degradation of bone quality featured by collagen/apatite micro-arrangement in human rheumatic arthritis

Although increased bone fragility is a well-recognized consequence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the essential cause of degenerate bone strength remains unknown. This study aimed to determine factors contributing to bone dysfunction in RA by focusing on the bone matrix micro-arrangement, based on the preferential orientation of collagen and the related apatite c-axis as a bone quality index. The classical understanding of RA is limited to its severe pathological conditions associated with inflammation-induced bone loss. This study examined periarticular proximal tibiae from RA patients as compared with osteoarthritis (OA) patients as controls. Bone tissue material strength was disrupted in the RA group compared with the control. Collagen/apatite micro-arrangement and vBMD were significantly lower in the RA group, and the rate of decrease in apatite c-axis orientation (−45%) was larger than that in vBMD (−22%). Multiple regression analysis showed that the degree of apatite c-axis orientation (β = 0.52, p = 1.9 × 10−2) significantly contributed to RA-induced bone material impairment as well as vBMD (β = 0.46, p = 3.8 × 10−2). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that RA reduces bone material strength by deteriorating the micro-arrangement of collagen/apatite bone matrix, leading to decreased fracture resistance. Our findings represent the significance of bone quality-based analysis for precise evaluation and subsequent therapy of the integrity and soundness of the bone in patients with RA.Ozasa R., Matsugaki A., Ishimoto T., et al. Bone fragility via degradation of bone quality featured by collagen/apatite micro-arrangement in human rheumatic arthritis. Bone, 155, 116261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2021.116261

Multiple phosphorus chemical sites in heavily phosphorus-doped diamond

We have performed high-resolution core level photoemission spectroscopy on a heavily phosphorus (P)-doped diamond film in order to elucidate the chemical sites of doped-phosphorus atoms in diamond. P 2p core level study shows two bulk components, providing spectroscopic evidence for multiple chemical sites of doped-phosphorus atoms. This indicates that only a part of doped-phosphorus atoms contribute to the formation of carriers. From a comparison with band calculations, possible origins for the chemical sites are discussed