We investigate the microscopic origin of size-dependent magnetization suppression in Ni nanocrystals using photoemission measurements with variable probing depth. While the interior retains bulklike electronic states, the near-surface region exhibits enhanced electronic correlation, leading to conduction-electron localization and the emergence of a magnetic dead layer. This intrinsic modification proves the validity of the dead-layer model quantitatively describing the size dependence of the saturation magnetization. These findings establish a direct link between surface electronic correlation and magnetism at reduced dimensions.
Noctiluca scintillans is a globally distributed harmful algal bloom (HAB) species known for potentially causing fish mortality and economic losses to fisheries. N. scintillans tends to accumulate near the sea surface, making it particularly susceptible to transport by ocean currents, however, direct evidence of long-distance dispersal has remained limited. Year-round monitoring in Kumamoto revealed that the Indonesian (Jakarta-type, K2) genotype occurs predominantly during the autumn high-abundance period, coinciding with smaller cell sizes that match Jakarta population. To evaluate the plausibility of long-distance transport, we conducted Lagrangian particle-tracking simulation using OSCAR surface currents. The results showed a plausible physical ocean connectivity between Indonesia and Japan within 600 days, with consistent patterns across different particle-release numbers indicating that arrival probabilities remained low but spatially robust. Recognizing that OSCAR provides a 0.25° satellite-derived representation of basin-scale surface circulation that does not explicitly resolve mesoscale eddies, we interpret these trajectories as possible connectivity pathways rather than literal particle tracks. Together, our genetic, morphological, and particle-tracking simulation results indicate that N. scintillans populations in Yatsushiro Bay likely consist of both regional and foreign genetic contributors, highlighting the potential for long-range connectivity under contemporary circulation patterns.
Polycrystalline diamond (PCD) tools have gained attention for machining nonferrous metals, nonmetals, and composite materials. However, chipping at the cutting edge and unevenness on the flank face introduced during manufacturing result in reduced surface accuracy and shortened tool life. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel tribochemical polishing technique for the flank face of PCD tools that involves heating the polishing disk. This technique effectively reduces chipping and cracking at the cutting edge, which are difficult to prevent using conventional methods, and enables sharpening of the cutting edge and precise adjustment of its shape. Furthermore, the cutting performance of tribochemically polished PCD tools was evaluated by machining a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4 V). The results demonstrated improved surface accuracy, reduced adhesion, and extended tool life compared to commercial tools. This study is expected to contribute to the development of high-precision and stable machining of difficult-to-cut titanium alloys through advancements in PCD tool technology.
A group of temperate grassland plant species, referred to as the 'Mansen elements,' is found in Japan and extensively distributed in the grasslands of continental East Asia. It has been considered that these species are remnants of once-expanded grasslands in Japan during a colder geological era. However, the detailed phylogeographic history, including migration age and distributional changes within Japan for these species, remains unresolved. To elucidate the phylogeographic history of the Mansen elements, we investigated the genetic structure and phylogeny of the populations ofPulsatilla cernua, one of the Mansen elements, using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) obtained from multiplexed inter-simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing (MIG-seq). The phylogenetic analysis indicates a continental origin and migration route via the Korean Peninsula for P. cernua. The DIYABC and the genetic structure analyses suggest that the divergence between the continental and Japanese populations occurred the late stage of the Last Glacial Period (LGP). Although the estimated divergence time is not fully constrained, it is suggested that an initial expansion in Japan occurred before the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). This once-expanded distribution area was subsequently fragmented during the coldest climate, followed by a secondary expansion after the LGP. This represents the first documented instance among the Mansen element species in which secondary range expansion brought fragmented populations into secondary contact.
Aim The incidence of non-B non-C hepatocellular carcinoma (NBNC-HCC), which is negative for Hepatitis B surface antigen and Hepatitis C virus antibodies, is on the rise. Relatively higher numbers of NBNC-HCC patients are Hepatitis B core antibody (HBcAb) positive, suggesting that previous HBV infection may play a role in NBNC-HCC development, though the exact mechanisms are unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether HBV genomes are integrated into the host genome of HBcAb-positive NBNC-HCC cases and how these integrations may contribute to cancer development and progression.Methods HBV detection PCR using HBV-specific primers on DNA extracted from HBcAb-positive NBNC-HCC tissue samples was performed. Positive samples were further examined for HBV integration sites using Viral DNA-Capture sequencing Approach. Additionally, Hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) serum levels were measured to assess whether they could be predictive for HBV detection PCR results.Results Among 90 HBcAb-positive NBNC-HCC samples, HBV genome amplification was detected in 19 samples, and differences in HBcrAg status were observed according to HBV detection PCR results. Eighteen of these samples showed HBV integration. The HBV genome was integrated near the TERT gene in 7 samples, resulting in significantly increased TERT mRNA levels, in the KMT2B gene (3 samples), and downstream of the LOC441666 gene (2 samples).Conclusion The integration sites we identified in our samples have been previously reported in HBV-related HCC, suggesting that HBV integration may also contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis in HBcAb-positive NBNC-HCC. Furthermore, HBcrAg could serve as a potential, noninvasive marker for detecting the HBV genome in these cases.
