Hitachi (Japan)

Abstract Aortic dissection (AD) is characterized by separation within the medial layers of the aortic wall. Pathogenic variants in the fibrillin-1 gene (FBN1), which cause Marfan syndrome, represent a major genetic cause of AD. In a recently established Fbn1G234D/G234D mouse model, intimomedial tears develop at 3 weeks of age, and 50% of mice die by 5 weeks from aortic rupture. Despite this severe phenotype, the magnitude and expansion of AD lesions, as well as the molecular alterations within the medial layers remain incompletely understood. In this study, we used three-dimensional propagation-based X-ray phase-contrast synchrotron imaging for reconstruction of the ascending aortas, together with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis in Fbn1G234D/G234D mice. Synchrotron imaging revealed 1-2 elastic lamellar breaks evolved into widespread disruptions spanning the entire elastic lamellae, accompanied by localized adventitial thickening. scRNA-seq analysis followed by immunofluorescence staining showed upregulation of fibronectin (Fn1) upregulation in Fbn1G234D/G234D smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Consistently, increased FN1 expression was observed in human non-heritable AD samples. Furthermore, enhanced expression of fibronectin receptors and activation of focal adhesion kinase signaling suggested augmented extracellular matrix–SMC interactions during disease progression. These findings indicate that AD progression involves coordinated medial structural failure, adventitial remodeling, and fibronectin-associated SMC dysfunction.

Power purchase agreements (PPAs) have emerged as alternative business models for sustaining renewable energy development in Japan, where new feed-in tariffs have been discontinued. Virtual PPAs rely on contracts for differences (CfDs) to mitigate inherent fluctuations in market prices. When determining strike prices for CfDs, transparency for both renewable power producers and energy consumers should be ensured, and geographically diverse curtailment and congestion should be considered. This study addressed these challenges through power demand and supply analysis. The proposed process involves formulating various constraints on power plants and transmission lines, resolving the constraints as a unit commitment and dispatch optimization problem, calculating the operating costs of the plants, estimating market prices based on the operating costs, and determining strike prices. The optimization problem was solved using the Multi area Regulation program, which is a software for power demand and supply analysis. The strike prices suitable for each node in Japan's Tohoku balancing area for 2019 and 2030 differed by power source and geographically, even within the same area, with a range of up to 1 JPY/kWh. The proposed process provides transparent strike prices for renewable power producers and energy consumers, promotes engagement in virtual PPAs, and accelerates decarbonization. • Virtual power purchase agreements are promising renewable business models • Unit commitment and dispatch problems consider grid congestion and curtailment • Market price estimation is based on power demand and supply analysis • Transparent strike prices for contracts for difference based on Japan's Tohoku area • A difference was observed in the suitable strike prices within the same area

To evaluate the response times of high-speed scintillators accurately with a simple measurement configuration, a method using single-electron irradiation was developed. Scintillators are widely used in measurement devices, and they must have short response times on the order of nanoseconds. Although there are methods which can evaluate fast responses, they require special equipment that can not be easily incorporated into the scintillator development. In this study, a scanning electron microscope was used to irradiate scintillators with single electrons and the response times of Y2SiO5:Ce (YSO) and YAlO3:Ce (YAP) were evaluated. They showed two types of decay time (response time) τ, wherein the τ by slow decay values were 50 ± 2 ns for YSO and 36 ± 2 ns for YAP. These results roughly match those of previous reports and indicate the validity of the developed method. The method also observed the decay with a resolution of 2 ns or less, which means it can make evaluations of the order of nanoseconds.

This study examined whether or not the coexistence of smoking and metabolic syndrome synergistically increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) beyond their individual effects. This prospective cohort study included 68,743 workers from the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study. The participants were categorized into four groups based on their smoking status and metabolic syndrome. Biological interactions were evaluated using relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI), attributable proportion (AP), and synergy index (S). During a mean follow-up of 7.2 (range: 0.1-10.9) years, 346 participants developed CVD. Current smokers with metabolic syndrome had the highest CVD risk (hazard ratio: 6.45, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.73-8.80). Approximately 35% of CVD cases among individuals exposed to both factors were attributed to their biological interactions (RERI: 2.27, 95% CI: 0.56-3.98; AP: 0.35, 95% CI: 0.15-0.55; S: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.16-2.52). An analysis of CVD subtypes revealed a significant biological interaction for myocardial infarction (RERI: 5.14, 95% CI: 0.65-9.62; AP: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.26-0.78; S: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.22-4.62) but not for stroke (RERI: 1.34, 95% CI: -0.46-3.13; AP: 0.25, 95% CI: -0.03-0.53; S: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.89-2.34). Smoking and metabolic syndrome interact synergistically to elevate CVD risk, particularly for myocardial infarction. Targeting both factors is essential for CVD prevention.

ABSTRACT Laser ablation is a widely used technique for the fabrication of periodic structures on solids to manipulate their surface properties. A fundamental challenge in the formation of laser‐induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) is ascertaining the correlation between laser parameters and LIPSS characteristics. This study focuses on the characterization of LIPSS in terms of the period of low spatial frequency LIPSS (LSFL) and their homogeneity as a function of single pulse fluence and effective fluence dose in the range from 0.067 to 1.070 J cm −2 and from 50 to 1280 J cm −2 , respectively. Here, a 1064 nm laser with a pulse duration of 13 ps was utilized to create LIPSS on Ti6Al4V alloy. The morphology of the formed structures was analyzed using the two‐dimensional fast Fourier transform method applied to scanning electron microscopy images. Homogeneous LSFL with spatial periods are obtained for effective fluence doses of 50 and 160 J cm −2 . However, an increase in the effective fluence dose up to 640 J cm −2 led to the formation of so‐called large LIPSS and the disappearance of homogeneous LSFL. The evolution of LIPSS that has been observed is attributed to changes in the ratio and absolute values of the ablative and heating components of the laser pulse energy at different single and effective fluence doses. Our study contributes to the development of tailored surfaces with periodic structures on Ti alloys.

We present a learning-support system that integrates physical three-dimensional models with augmented reality (AR) to facilitate the acquisition of spatial-figure concepts. The system is implemented on an iPad, which functions as both input and output device. Following instructions displayed on the screen, users mentally construct the spatial figure that satisfies a displayed problem and then place vertex markers along the edges of a physical cube model. The iPad's rear camera tracks these markers, and the system superimposes the user-defined spatial figure onto the model in real-time AR, enabling the learner to examine the figure from multiple viewpoints. While interacting with the system, data-including responses, completion times, and pre- and post-task questionnaire scores-are recorded. These data are subsequently analyzed to evaluate learning outcomes and to inform iterative refinement of instructional content and exhibit design. An evaluation experiment was conducted at a university festival. Nineteen participants completed questionnaires assessing ease of use, perceived effectiveness for learning spatial figures, and interest. The results indicated generally positive evaluations. Although the system did not yield immediate, statistically significant learning gains-likely due to operational difficulty and the inherent challenge of the material-the integration of AR with tangible models appears promising for stimulating learner engagement in the comprehension of spatial figures.

Abstract In high-intensity proton accelerators, it is crucial to identify and reduce sources of beam loss, which requires rapid measurement of the beam distribution in both position and velocity space. In this study, we have developed a completely new non-destructive bunch shape monitor that measures the longitudinal distribution of the H− (negative hydrogen) beam by using the repetitive laser pulses and measuring the amount of the photo-detached beam. A proof-of-principle experiment successfully measured the longitudinal beam profile of the 3 MeV H− beam at the test accelerator of J-PARC. This paper describes the concept of the monitor, presents the measurement results, and discusses its applicability to the future beam diagnostics.