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An extreme dry-slab snow-avalanche occurred on 10 Jan. 2021 at Mt. Nodanishoji, Gifu, Japan, during a heavy snowfall. The avalanche ran down approximately 2,800 m and caused damage to trees and infrastructures. Although this avalanche was estimated to be the second largest in Japan, physical snowpack properties and their vertical structure and spatial distribution, that caused the avalanche, were not addressed in the release area just after the avalanche fall, mainly due to unsafe and lousy weather. Based on a snow depth distribution observed by an unmanned aerial vehicle and a numerical snowpack simulation in the avalanche release area, the spatial distributions of the mechanical snowpack stability and slab mass and their temporal evolutions were estimated in this study. The procedure was validated by comparing the calculation results with the observed snowpit and spatial snow depth data. The results indicated that two heavy snowfall events, ~3 and 10 days before the avalanche onset, generated two different weak layers made of precipitation particles and associated slabs above other weak layers. The older weak layer was only generated on the northward slope due to its low temperature, whereas the newer layer was predominant over the avalanche release area. The fraction of contributions of the slabs associated with the two weak layers to the total slab mass over the calculation domain was found to be 1 : 2.

Protein aggregate formation in prefilled syringes (PFSs) can be influenced by protein adsorption and desorption at the solid–liquid interface. Although inhibition of protein adsorption on the PFS surface can lead to a decrease in the amount of aggregation, the mechanism underlying protein adsorption-mediated aggregation in PFSs is unclear. This study investigated protein aggregation caused by protein adsorption on silicone oil-free PFS surfaces [borosilicate glass (GLS) and cycloolefin polymer (COP)] and the factors affecting the protein adsorption on the PFS surfaces. The adsorbed proteins formed multilayered structures that consisted of two distinct types of layers: proteins adsorbed on the surface of the material and proteins adsorbed on top of the proteins on the surface. A pH-dependent electrostatic interaction was the dominant force for protein adsorption on the GLS surface, while hydrophobic effects were dominant for protein adsorption on the COP surface. When the repulsion force between proteins was weak, protein adsorption on the adsorbed protein layer was increased for both materials and as a result, protein aggregation increased. Therefore, a formulation with high colloidal stability can minimize protein adsorption on the COP surface, leading to reduced protein aggregation.

In this study, an education program for heavy rainfall risk management was developed using the Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADDIE) model of instructional design (ID) to enhance the disaster response capabilities of schoolchildren to encourage them to think and act responsibly to protect themselves during a disaster following heavy rainfall. The program’s effectiveness was evaluated by its implementation at Nagaoka Municipal Senju Elementary School in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, which was devastated by the heavy rainfall caused by 2019 Typhoon No.19. The learning effect was confirmed throughout the program. Furthermore, the program has improved because of its implementation and evaluation.

We demonstrated atomic frequency comb (AFC) quantum memory in 167Er3+:Y2SiO5 under zero magnetic field by using optical frequency comb (OFC), which enables to quickly and easily produce AFCs with high efficiency over a wide bandwidth.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are frequently used for recombinant protein production (RPP) as a host. While the RPP has been proven successful, there is still a compelling need for further improvement. Cyclo olefin polymer (COP) is a plastic material widely utilized due to its properties including its low protein absorption. We applied this as a raw material for RPP cell culture to see if the COP is suitable. A recombinant CHO cell line expressing the human erythropoietin (hEPO) gene under the control of the Moloney murine leukemia virus-long terminal repeat (MMLV-LTR) was established. When the cells were cultured in a dish made from COP, the cells attached to the bottom, and then started to float and form spheroids. RNASeq data analysis suggested the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was triggered with receptor tyrosine kinase activation shortly after cultivation. It coincided with the hEPO transcription increase. After the cell floating, though EMT marker gene expression subsided, a hEPO expression increase sustained. When fibronectin was applied to COP dish surface, the cell floating was suppressed and hEPO expression decreased. We then treated cells with MβCD, a drug that destroys the lipid raft, eliminating molecules in the raft. This facilitated cell floating and spheroid formation coincided with hEPO expression enhancement. These results suggest interactions between a cell and COP surface might trigger the EMT and the subsequent event, both of which activated the MMLV-LTR promoter. Thus, employing COP for culturing cells, a potent RPP system could be established with its advantage for efficient protein purification.

The infiltration of melted snow water and rainwater into snow can drastically change the form of snow layers. This process is an important factor affecting wet snow avalanches. Accordingly, numerous field surveys and cold room experiments have been conducted to investigate the distribution of water in snow. The common methods of water content measurement (calorimetric and dielectric methods) are implemented by disturbing snow samples to measure them. However, the resolutions obtained are of the order of several centimeters, which hinders the continuous measurement of the water content of a particular sample. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is typically used in the medical field, can be used to generate a high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) image of the water distribution in samples without destructing them. The luminance of images produced by MRI depends on the volumetric water content of the sample, with luminance increasing with volumetric liquid water content. Therefore, the volumetric liquid water content of the sample can be estimated from its luminance value. Considering this concept, we developed a method to measure the volumetric liquid water content of wet snow samples using MR images. To evaluate the developed method, we prepared several wet snow samples and measured their various volumetric liquid water contents using MRI (θMRI) and the calorimetric method (θcal). θMRI, and θcal showed good correlation when compared, with values in the range 0.02–0.46. Therefore, our system can accurately and non-destructively measure water content. The developed method using MRI can measure 3D volumetric liquid water contents with a high resolution (2 mm). Using the developed method, we investigated the hysteresis of the water retention curve of snow based on the measurements of a wetting process (boundary wetting curve) and a drying process (boundary drying curve) of the water retention curve for each sample. Our results indicate the existence of hysteresis in the snow water retention curves and the possibility of modeling it by adopting contexts of soil physics.

This study evaluated how differences in the surface properties of prefillable syringe barrels and in-solution sampling methods affect micron aggregates and protein adsorption levels. Three syringe types (glass barrel with silicone oil coating [GLS/SO+], glass barrel without silicone oil coating [GLS/SO−], and cyclo-olefin polymer [COP] barrel syringes) were tested with 3 therapeutic proteins (adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab) using 2 sampling methods (aspiration or ejection). After quiescent incubation, solutions sampled by aspiration exhibited no significant change in micron aggregate concentration in any syringes, whereas those sampled by ejection exhibited increased micron aggregates in both GLS syringe types. Micron aggregate concentration in ejected solutions generally increased with increasing density of adsorbed proteins. Notably, COP syringes contained the lowest micron aggregate concentrations, which were independent of the sampling method. Correspondingly, the adsorbed protein density on COP syringes was the lowest at 1-2 mg/m 2 , which was much less compared with that on GLS syringes and was calculated to be equivalent to only 1–2 protein layers, as visually confirmed by high-speed atomic force microscopy. These data indicate that low-adsorption prefillable syringes should be used for therapeutic proteins because protein aggregate concentration in the ejected solution is elevated by increased protein adsorption to the syringe surface.

Sizes and shapes of snow particles were determined from X-ray computed microtomography (micro-CT) images, and their single-scattering properties were calculated at visible and near-infrared wavelengths using a Geometrical Optics Method (GOM). We analyzed seven snow samples including fresh and aged artificial snow and natural snow obtained from field samples. Individual snow particles were numerically extracted, and the shape of each snow particle was defined by applying a rendering method. The size distribution and specific surface area distribution were estimated from the geometrical properties of the snow particles, and an effective particle radius was derived for each snow sample. The GOM calculations at wavelengths of 0.532 and 1.242 µm revealed that the realistic snow particles had similar scattering phase functions as those of previously modeled irregular shaped particles. Furthermore, distinct dendritic particles had a characteristic scattering phase function and asymmetry factor. The single-scattering properties of particles of effective radius reff were compared with the size-averaged single-scattering properties. We found that the particles of reff could be used as representative particles for calculating the average single-scattering properties of the snow. Furthermore, the single-scattering properties of the micro-CT particles were compared to those of particle shape models using our current snow retrieval algorithm. For the single-scattering phase function, the results of the micro-CT particles were consistent with those of a conceptual two-shape model. However, the particle size dependence differed for the single-scattering albedo and asymmetry factor.

Semiconductor quantum dots provide a spin-coupled system of an electron and nuclei via enhanced hyperfine interaction. We showed that the nuclear spin polarization in single quantum dots can have three stable branches under a longitudinal magnetic field. The states were accompanied by hysteresis loops around the boundaries of each branch with a change in the excitation condition. To explain these findings, we incorporated the electron spin relaxation caused by the nuclear spin fluctuation into the previously-studied dynamic nuclear spin polarization mechanism. The model reproduces the new features of nuclear spin polarization and the associated strong reduction in the observed electron spin polarization, and can refer to the tristability of nuclear spin polarization., 5 pages, 3 figures

We demonstrate optical coherent transients in a Λ-like hyperfine energy-level system of Er167

We propose an ultrasonic-assisted point-one-shot mid-infrared Fourier spectroscopy device involving an ultrasonic liquid-cell and point-one-shot Fourier spectroscopy (diameter: 6 mm, thickness: 5 mm) for ear clip type non-invasive blood glucose sensors, at a low cost (approximately 1,000 EUR). As the prevalence of diabetes increases over time, methods for non-invasive monitoring of blood glucose concentration in daily life are increasingly important for diabetes control and prevention. However, there are currently no sensors for non-invasively detecting biological components in daily environments. In the current study, we propose a point-one-shot Fourier spectroscopy method comprising one objective lens and a camera. The objective lens is a spherical lens at the front side and a dual-axis wedge prism inclined along the horizontal and vertical axes. An objective beam is collimated by the objective lens, with a difference in optical path length caused by the wedge prism. This device can be used to obtain two-dimensional spatial fringe patterns. Conventional one-shot Fourier spectroscopy produces one-dimensional fringe patterns in the horizontal direction of the array device. Thus, the maximum optical path length is limited by the number of pixels in only the horizontal line of the array device. However, our proposed point-one-shot Fourier spectroscopy device can produce an interferogram with longer maximum optical path lengths compared with conventional devices because horizontal lines at difference rows are connected by the same phase pixel. Thus, spectroscopic imaging devices can be produced at a low cost because low-resolution cameras (e.g., 80 × 80 pixels) can be used for spectroscopy.

A mid-infrared spectroscopic imager needs to be portable and tough for the identification of dyestuffs used for murals in ancient tombs during archaeological on-site analysis. Meanwhile, an extremely compact and tough hyperspectral camera with mass less than 2 kg is required for mounting on drones to observe nutritive components like nitrogen and phosphorus. We proposed a near-common-path wavefront-division phase-shift interferometer as an imaging-type twodimensional Fourier spectrometer. Because the proposed interferometer has strong robustness against mechanical vibrations, a palm-sized Fourier spectroscopic imager can be realized without an anti-mechanical vibration system. We developed a palm-sized (80-mm cube weighing 0.5 kg) and tough hyperspectral camera for mid-infrared light (wavelength of 8–14 μm) that can be operated using only a notebook personal computer. Furthermore, the field of view of a conventional hyperspectral camera is narrow (e.g., 6.4 deg × 5.1 deg). However, employing a proposed field angle correlation method and using a fisheye lens as the objective lens, the field of view can be expanded to 180 deg. The total price of the mid-infrared two-dimensional spectroscopic imager is no more than several thousand USD because a lowprice microbolometer (Vision Sensing, VIM-80G2, wavelength range: 8-14 μm, 80 × 80 pixels, price: 300 USD) is used. Additionally, a long-stroke (10 mm) and high-resolution (Optical encoder resolution: 100 nm) impact-drive actuator (Technohands XCWT70-10 weighing 30 g) is introduced as a low-price (1000 USD) and tough phase-shift stage with cross-roller linear-motion guides.

A nonconvex quadratically constrained quadratic programming (QCQP) with one constraint is usually solved via a dual SDP problem, or Moré’s algorithm based on iteratively solving linear systems. In this work we introduce an algorithm for QCQP that requires finding just one eigenpair of a generalized eigenvalue problem, and involves no outer iterations other than the (usually black-box) iterations for computing the eigenpair. Numerical experiments illustrate the efficiency and accuracy of our algorithm. We also analyze the QCQP solution extensively, including difficult cases, and show that the canonical form of a matrix pair gives a complete classification of the QCQP in terms of boundedness and attainability, and explain how to obtain a global solution whenever it exists.

We demonstrate coherent transients -Rabi oscillation and a photon echo- between hyperfine levels in isotopically purified 167Er3+ in Y 2 SiO 5 crystal at zero magnetic field. These observations provide us with optical param-eters such as the Rabi frequency and coherence time, which are indispensable for coherent manipulation of 167Er3+ electronic states. The estimated coherence time is longer than that in degenerated levels, which indicates that the use of the hyperfine sublevels in 167Er3+ is expected to exhibit longer memory time in quantum memories.

We investigate the role of nuclear quadrupolar effect on the formation of a transverse nuclear field orthogonal to the injected electron spin in single self-assembled In 0.75 Al 0.25 As/Al 0.3 Ga 0.7 As quantum dots (QDs). In the Hanle effect measurement, we observed some anomalies in the curves, which indicated quite large width and hysteretic response to the externally applied transverse magnetic field. These anomalies cannot be reproduced by a standard spin dynamics model adopted in bulks and the droplet QDs, and the nuclear quadrupole interaction (NQI) is considered to play an important role. Here, we performed the additional experiments in order to confirm the significance of NQI. In the measurements, we modulated the NQI applying an additional longitudinal magnetic field (~200 mT) by using a neodymium magnet. When the longitudinal field is zero, the anomalous Hanle curves are almost symmetrical with respect to the excitation light helicity. However, with non-zero longitudinal field, the shape symmetry is found to be broken by the light helicity, that is, the anomalies in Hanle curve under $\sigma^{+}$ excitation are strongly suppressed. The observations give the important clues to reveal the formation mechanism of a transverse nuclear field.

Precise spectroscopy of the hyperfine level system of 167Er-doped Y2SiO5 was achieved in the frequency domain. By using an optical frequency comb to stabilize the light source frequency to an accuracy on the order of hertz on a long-term scale, Allan deviation < 10 Hz was achieved for an integration time of 180 s. As a result, spectral hole-burning experiments yielded a more accurate hole spectrum with a narrow homogeneous linewidth. The method opens the way to the straightforward exploration of relaxation mechanisms in the frequency domain by simple steady-state measurements.

Hyperfine interaction in a quantum dot produces a spin-coupled system between an injected electron and a few tens of thousands of nuclei in the electron wavefunction. We report here that the double bistable phenomenon of nuclear spin polarization (NSP) can be observed by sweeping three control parameters. All the observations indicate that the NSP has three stable branches under a longitudinal magnetic field, whereas the number of the stable branches of NSP has been believed to be two at most. The incorporation of the electron spin relaxation due to the nuclear spin fluctuation enables reproduction of the observed features of the NSP and the electron spin polarization.

Cyclo olefin polymer (COP) is an attractive plastic because it has low protein adsorption despite its hydrophobic chemical structure. Here, the adsorption of model proteins to the COP was evaluated in comparison with a representative plastic, polystyrene (PSt), using reflectometry interference spectroscopy (RIfS) technology. The effects of different salts on adsorption were then examined. The adsorption of bovine serum albumin onto COP increased in the presence of kosmotropic salts, whereas adsorption of IgG increased in the presence of chaotropic salts. By contrast, the adsorption of these 2 proteins to PSt was unaffected by these Hofmeister salts. Langmuir-Freundlich model of COP adsorption suggested that the COP surface is more homogeneous for protein binding than the PSt surface. Furthermore, RIfS and sum frequency generation analyses indicated that water molecules bind more weakly to COP than to PSt. Our data propose a novel viewpoint of the way protein binds to COP surface that is different from the way it binds to PSt.

Flow fingers develop due to the infiltration of snow meltwater or rain water into a dry snowpack. The width, spacing, and areal coverage of the flow finger path and occurrence of capillary barriers have been demonstrated using dye tracer experiments that were conducted in the field and in cold laboratories. Because dye tracer experiments require the destructive analysis of the snow, the initial shape, and the temporal development of fingering and lateral flows are unclear. To examine this, we carried out nondestructive observations of flow finger development, and the formation of capillary barriers using two different dry snow samples in a cold laboratory using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a three-dimensional rapid imaging method. X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) was also used to determine the relationship between the water flow phenomena and the snow microstructure. The experimental results showed that flow fingers developed in dry snow samples. The number of flow finger paths increased, and a lateral flow developed through the continuing water supply. The small discontinuity of the pore size and snow density in the vertical direction acted as a capillary barrier and induced lateral flow. These results showed that both the persistence of the flow finger path and the increase in the number of flow paths are important for understanding the infiltration of water into dry snow and for developing a snowpack model that includes water-moving processes. Nondestructive observation using MRI is a promising technique to follow the development of preferential flow path and lateral flow. Detailed information regarding the heterogeneity of the pore distribution and snow microstructures in a layered snowpack is required to understand the water flow phenomena in a natural snowpack.

The surface hoar layer is known to be one of the most typical types of weak layers in dry slab avalanches. To investigate the features of snow cover, including the surface hoar layer, we developed apparatuses that make surface hoar artificially. Two growth systems were developed using circuit wind tunnels. The first apparatus supplied wind using a circuit wind tunnel. A few millimeters thick of snow were placed on a cooling panel (0.12 m2) to form the fundamental snow layer. Surface hoar was then grown on the snow surface using the difference between the temperature and relatively high water vapor pressure of the air; and the cooled snow surface. The shapes of the artificially grown surface hoar crystals were simple plate, sector plate, dendrite, needle, column and cup. It was suggested that the crystal shape depended on snow surface temperature and wind condition. Both dendrite and needle shapes required low wind conditions. The trend of the temperature dependence of the crystal shape was often in agreement with the habit of artificial snow crystals and depth hoar crystals. In the second apparatus, we set nine cooling panels and made a surface hoar layer on the fundamental snow cover. It was possible to make surface hoar with an area of 1.08 m2 with one experiment using this system. Three surface temperatures could be selected in a single experiment because the panels were cooled by three different thermostatic baths. These systems are useful for investigating the features of snow and the surface hoar layer efficiently.

Experimental studies on the role of nuclear quadrupole interaction (NQI) to the in-plane nuclear field formation are performed in single self-assembled In0.75Al0.25As/Al0.3Ga0.7As quantum dots (QDs). In Hanle-effect measurements, the electron depolarization curves deviating far from a standard Lorentzian shape are observed: the curves with anomalously large width and hysteretic behavior at the critical transverse magnetic field. These anomalies indicate the growth of an in-plane nuclear field compensating the applied transverse magnetic field up to approximate to 1 T and appear regardless of the excitation helicity. The azimuth angle dependence of the critical field of the hysteretic response reveals that the principal axis of the NQI is almost parallel to the crystal growth axis. This fact suggests that the main origin of the NQI which is related with in-plane nuclear-field formation is not random alloying among In and Al nuclei but residual strain of QDs. Furthermore, a longitudinal magnetic field by a neodymium magnet breaks the excitation-helicity independence of the Hanle curves and the shape of curves becomes very different depending on the helicity. The obtained results are explained well with a simple consideration and indicate that the NQI takes multirole in the formation of in-plane nuclear field.