Successive phase transitions and phase diagrams of the quasi-two-dimensional triangular antiferromagnet Rb4Mn(MoO4)3

Comprehensive experimental studies by magnetic, thermal and neutron measurements have clarified that Rb4Mn(MoO4)3 is a model system of a quasi-2D triangular Heisenberg antiferromagnet with an easy-axis anisotropy, exhibiting successive transitions across an intermediate collinear phase. As a rare case for geometrically frustrated magnetism, quantitative agreement between experiment and theory is found for complete, anisotropic phase diagrams as well as magnetic properties.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Laminin E8 fragments support efficient adhesion and expansion of dissociated human pluripotent stem cells

Miyazaki, T. et al.. Laminin E8 fragments support efficient adhesion and expansion of dissociated human pluripotent stem cells. Nat. Commun. 3:1236 doi: 10.1038/ncomms2231 (2012)

The ground state of Sr3Ru2O7 revisited; Fermi liquid close to a ferromagnetic instability

We show that single-crystalline Sr3Ru2O7 grown by a floating-zone technique is an isotropic paramagnet and a quasi-two dimensional metal as spin-triplet superconducting Sr2RuO4 is. The ground state is Fermi liquid with very low residual resistivity (3 micro ohm cm for in-plane currents) and a nearly ferromagnetic metal with the largest Wilson ratio Rw>10 among paramagnets so far. This contrasts with the ferromagnetic order at Tc=104 K reported on single crystals grown by a flux method [Cao et al., Phys. Rev. B 55, R672 (1997)]. We have also found a dramatic changeover from paramagnetism to ferromagnetism under applied pressure. This suggests the existence of a substantial ferromagnetic instability on the verge of a quantum phase transition in the Fermi liquid state.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. B : Rapid co

Agriculture in Hokkaido

Agriculture in Hokkaido dawned in 1868; the time when the Meiji Government was established. Warriors who were deprived of their positions by the new government after the Meiji Revolution, and farmers who could afford only small area in the main islands of Japan, immigrated to Hokkaido. They cleared the land and planted crops facing sever winters of Hokkaido. Presently, Hokkaido leads agriculture in Japan, proudly tops the production of rice, wheat, potato, beans, sugar beet, vegetables, and especially dairy products. The people of Hokkaido, however, shall never forget that it is the hard work of their predecessors for more than hundred years that has earned the present position for Hokkaido. At the same time, misunderstanding between immigrants and native Ainu people, and environmental degradation caused by reclamation of Hokkaido, should be matters of concern. This book describes past, present and future of Hokkaido's agriculture. The articles for this have been contributed by the professors outstanding in their respective fields in Hokkaido University. All chapters have been written in a simple language and illustrated with relevant photographs. Though this book has been produced as a textbook for the foreign students at Hokkaido University, it can serve a wide range of readers. It will be a great pleasure for us if this book is read by all concerned including visitors to this lovely land of Hokkaido

Intense Exercise Increases Protein Oxidation in Spleen and Liver of Mice

Studies have indicated that sports anemia is mainly associated with intravascular hemolysis induced by exercise. We hypothesized that such exercise-induced hemolysis leads to oxidative damage due to an increase in free iron caused by hematocyte destruction. Thirty-one male ICR mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: a rested control group, an intense-exercise group, and a group rested for 24 hours after intense exercise. The serum haptoglobin level of the intense-exercise group decreased compared with that of the rested control group, suggesting hemolysis. Tissue iron and protein carbonyl levels in the liver were increased after exercise, and the protein carbonyl level in the spleen on the day after exercise was significantly increased compared with that of the resting state. These results suggest that the spleen and liver, where extravascular hemolysis occurs, were subjected to oxidative modification by the free iron, which was released from large numbers of hemocytes that were destroyed due to the intense exercise