Optimizing the composition of (Ce,La)(Co,Fe)for permanent magnet applications using density functional theory.

In this work, we calculated physical quantities, including the magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant () and magnetization (), for disordered (Ce,La)(Co,Fe)systems. Based on the results, we propose CeCoFeas the optimum composition for high-performance permanent magnets. The calculations employed the full-potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green's function method, and dealt with the compositional disorder of the systems within the coherent potential approximation.

Colossal Magnetoresistive Switching Induced by d Ferromagnetism of MgO in a Semiconductor Nanochannel Device with Ferromagnetic Fe/MgO Electrodes.

Exploring potential spintronic functionalities in resistive switching (RS) devices is of great interest for creating new applications, such as multifunctional resistive random-access memory and novel neuromorphic computing devices. In particular, the importance of the spin-triplet state of cation vacancies in oxide materials, which is induced by localized and strong O-2p on-site Coulomb interactions, in RS devices has been overlooked. d ferromagnetism sometimes appears due to the spin-triplet state and ferromagnetic Zener's double exchange interactions between cation vacancies, which are occasionally strong enough to make nonmagnetic oxides ferromagnetic.

Insight into Scattering Mechanisms and Transport Properties of AgCuS for Flexible Thermoelectric Applications.

The development of flexible thermoelectric devices requires materials possessing ductility and high thermoelectric performance at room temperature. However, only a few existing materials meet both criteria. In this study, the ductile properties, electronic structure, and transport properties of the low-temperature phase α-AgCuS were elucidated using first-principles calculations combined with Boltzmann transport theory.

Ferromagnetism and giant magnetoresistance in zinc-blende FeAs monolayers embedded in semiconductor structures.

Material structures containing tetrahedral FeAs bonds, depending on their density and geometrical distribution, can host several competing quantum ground states ranging from superconductivity to ferromagnetism. Here we examine structures of quasi two-dimensional (2D) layers of tetrahedral Fe-As bonds embedded with a regular interval in a semiconductor InAs matrix, which resembles the crystal structure of Fe-based superconductors. Contrary to the case of Fe-based pnictides, these FeAs/InAs superlattices (SLs) exhibit ferromagnetism, whose Curie temperature (T) increases rapidly with decreasing the InAs interval thickness t (T ∝ t), and an extremely large magnetoresistance up to 500% that is tunable by a gate voltage.

Intrinsic defect formation and the effect of transition metal doping on transport properties in a ductile thermoelectric material α-AgS: a first-principles study.

In this paper, the electronic structure and transport properties of a ductile thermoelectric material α-Ag2S are examined using first-principles calculations combined with the Boltzmann transport equation within a constant relaxation-time approximation. The use of the exchange-correlation functional SCAN + rVV10 successfully describes the geometric and electronic structure of α-Ag2S with a direct bandgap value of 0.99 eV, which is consistent with the previous experimental observations.

Hole-mediated ferromagnetism in a high-magnetic moment material, Gd-doped GaN.

As an exotic material in spintronics, Gd-doped GaN is known as a room temperature ferromagnetic material that possesses a large magnetic moment (4000per Gd ion). This paper theoretically proposes that the large magnetic moment and room temperature ferromagnetism observed in Gd-doped GaN is caused by N 2p holes based on the assumption that Ga-vacancies result from the introduction of Gd ions. This causes that the too large magnetic moment is estimated for Gd ions if only Gd ions contributed the magnetic moment.

Computational materials design of defect-induced ferrimagnetic MnO.

We present a computational materials design for defect-induced ferrimagnetic MnO. The magnetic properties of MnO containing Mn vacancies were investigated using first-principle calculations. For these electronic structure calculations, we employed a pseudo-self-interaction-corrected local density approximation (PSIC-LDA).

Neurodynamics of cognitive set shifting in monkey frontal cortex and its causal impact on behavioral flexibility.

Flexible behavior depends on the ability to shift an internal cognitive set as soon as external demand changes. According to neuropsychological studies in human and nonhuman primates, selective lesion to the PFC impairs flexible behavioral shifting. Our previous fMRI study demonstrated that the prefrontal regions showed transient activation related to set shifting in humans and monkeys.

Neuronal signal dynamics during preparation and execution for behavioral shifting in macaque posterior parietal cortex.

Cognitive flexibility arises from our ability to shift behaviors depending on demand changes. Behavioral shifting recruits both a preparatory process for an upcoming behavior and an execution process for the actual behavior. Although neuroimaging studies have shown that several brain regions, including posterior parietal cortex (PPC) participated in each component process, it remains unresolved how such processes are implemented at the single-cell level or even whether these processes are distinctively carried out across microstructures in such regions.

The relationship between CA/C ratio and individual differences in dynamic accommodative responses while viewing stereoscopic images.

The oculomotor synergy as expressed by the CA/C and AC/A ratios was investigated to examine its influence on our previous observation that whereas convergence responses to stereoscopic images are generally stable, some individuals exhibit significant accommodative overshoot. Using a modified video refraction unit while viewing a stereoscopic LCD, accommodative and convergence responses to balanced and unbalanced vergence and focal stimuli (BVFS and UBVFS) were measured. Accommodative overshoot of at least 0.

Cognitive set reconfiguration signaled by macaque posterior parietal neurons.

When faced with problems, we can flexibly change our ways of thinking or our point of view. Our cognitive flexibility arises from this ability of shifting cognitive sets. To elucidate how this dynamic process is implemented in the primate brain, single-unit activity was recorded from the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) of two monkeys performing analogs of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, which is most commonly used to test cognitive flexibility in humans.

Induction of human adiponectin gene transcription by telmisartan, angiotensin receptor blocker, independently on PPAR-gamma activation.

Adiponectin, an adipose tissue-specific plasma protein, has been shown to ameliorate insulin resistance and inhibit the process of atherosclerosis. Recently, several reports have stated that angiotensin type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs), increase adiponectin plasma level, and ameliorate insulin resistance. Telmisartan, a subclass of ARBs, has been shown to be a partial agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, and to increase the plasma adiponectin level.

Evidence for the role of small ubiquitin-like modifier 4 as a general autoimmunity locus in the Japanese population.

Context: Recently, an association of a single nucleotide polymorphism, 163A>G encoding M55V, in the gene SUMO4, which has been shown to be a negative feedback regulator for nuclear factor kappaB, has been reported in type 1 diabetes.

Objective: To establish whether SUMO4 locus contributes to the genetic susceptibility to other autoimmune disorders, a case-control analysis was carried out using genomic DNA from type 1 diabetes, autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Subjects: A total of 1480 samples, including 929 cases (411 patients with type 1 diabetes, 292 AITD, 172 RA, and 54 primary Sjögren's syndrome) and 551 healthy control subjects of Japanese origin participated in the study.

Hepatitis B-related polyarteritis nodosa presenting necrotizing vasculitis in the hepatobiliary system successfully treated with lamivudine, plasmapheresis and glucocorticoid.

A 64-year-old man was admitted for alithiasic cholecystitis. Necrotizing vasculitis was detected in a gallbladder obtained at the cholecystectomy. Slight elevation of transaminases, HBe antigens and hepatitis B-DNA (HBV-DNA) were detected in the patient.

Identification of the promoter region required for human adiponectin gene transcription: Association with CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Adiponectin, an adipose tissue-specific plasma protein, is involved in insulin sensitizing and has anti-atherosclerotic properties. Plasma levels of adiponectin are decreased in obese individuals and patients with type 2 diabetes with insulin resistance. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) decreases the expression of adiponectin in adipocytes.

Stromal cell-derived factor-1 chemokine gene variant in patients with type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Type 1 diabetes is a heterogenous autoimmune disease and is frequently associated with other organ-specific autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Type 1 diabetic patients with AITD are known to have clinical and immunological features distinct from patients without AITD. This study investigated whether stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1 gene polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes and AITD.

Rapid inhibition of leptin signaling by glucocorticoids in vitro and in vivo.

Elevated secretion of glucocorticoids (GCs) or hypersensitivity to GCs has a permissive effect on the development of obesity and leads to abnormalities of body fat distribution. Recent studies demonstrated GCs act as antagonists of leptin in rodents. However, little is known about the interaction between GCs and leptin signaling.

Association between IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms and CTLA-4 gene 49A/G polymorphism in Japanese patients with type 1 diabetes.

Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine which is strongly associated with the development of diabetes in NOD mice. To test the putative involvement of IL-18 gene polymorphism in predisposition to human type 1 diabetes, the SNPs at position -607 (C/A) and -137 (G/C) in the promoter region of IL-18 gene were analyzed by sequence-specific PCR in 116 patients with type 1 diabetes and 114 normal controls. A linkage disequilibrium found only three of the four possible haplotypes defined by these SNPs.

Epitope analysis of GAD65 autoantibodies in Japanese patients with autoimmune diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by T cell-mediated destruction of pancreatic beta cells. In Japanese population, the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children is very low compared to European countries. However, there are more patients with type 1 diabetes in adults, including latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA).

Association of interleukin-18 gene promoter polymorphisms in type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Type 1 diabetes is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease and is often associated with other organ-specific autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). IL-18 is a potent proinflammatory cytokine capable of inducing IFN-gamma production that is associated with the development of type 1 diabetes and AITD. The gene for IL-18 is located near Idd2 and has been reported to be associated with a susceptibility to type 1 diabetes.

Interleukin-10 gene promoter region polymorphisms in patients with type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroid disease.

Type 1 diabetes is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease and is frequently associated with other organ-specific autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Type 1 diabetic patients with AITD are known to show distinct clinical and immunological features from patients without AITD. This study investigated whether interleukin-10 (IL-10) gene promoter region polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes and AITD.

Prefrontal neuronal activity encodes spatial target representations sequentially updated after nonspatial target-shift cues.

We examined prefrontal neuronal activity while monkeys performed a sequential target-shift task, in which, after a positional cue indicated the initial saccade target among 8 peripheral positions, the monkeys were required to internally shift the target by one position on every flash of a target-shift cue. The target-shift cue appeared in the center 0 to 3 times within a single trial and was always the same in shape, size, and color. We found selective neuronal activity related to the target position: when the target-shift cue implied the target shift to particular peripheral positions, neurons exhibited early-dominant and late-dominant activity during the following delay period.

Stromal-cell derived factor-1 chemokine gene variant is associated with type 1 diabetes age at onset in Japanese population.

Stromal-cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1) is a powerful chemokine that upregulates T-cell migration and activation. The gene for SDF-1 is located near type 1 diabetes susceptibility locus IDDM10, suggesting a contribution by SDF-1 to the induction of diabetes. Recently the role of SDF-1 gene polymorphism in the clinical presentation of type 1 diabetes in French population has been reported.