Abstract: A large quantity of seal
bones (mainly of the Japanese sea lion) and birds, were excavated from
the Hamanaka 2 reminds (layer V of location R), Rebun Island,
Hokkaido, accompanied with a group of pottery of latter half of
the Jomon. The people who lived in this site were thought to be
hunting the seal and process meat and fur using potteries..
Therefore the objects of this study are: 1) to analyze sterols attached
to and adsorbed in pottery as one of the tracer for the lipids
originated from sea mammals using gas chromatography. 2) to
measure AMS radiocarbon age of charred materials taken from the
potsherds containing lipid possibly originated from sea mammals, and
examine the origin of the charred materials by combining the
reservoir age with the data of the stable isotope ratios and C/N ratios.
Abstract: In this lecture, I will
discuss why I chose to study cosmology, where is my joy of doing
science, how to define science disciplines, what are the methods of
science and new developments, notion of complexity, definition of
liberal arts, and science from my personal viewpoint.
Abstract: The classical way of representing a set in terms of either in affirmation or negation of its membership elements had resulted in inadequacy of mathematical expressions to represent linguistic concepts. A novel path breaking idea called fuzzy sets by Lotfi Asker Zadeh in 1965 made it possible to overcome this to a very large extent. It virtually describes a linguistic concept in a very lucid fashion (not as it was described with limited tools and rigid ideas). This paradigm shift from the Aristotelian two valued logic has opened the flood gates which generated lot of research in this area. Today’s talk tries to introduce the concept of fuzzy sets, its refined form called fuzzy numbers and fuzzy linear programming.
Abstract: When valuing and risk-managing exotic derivatives, practitioners demand fast and accurate prices and sensitivities. As the financial models and option contracts used in practice are becoming increasingly complex, efficient methods have to be developed to cope with such models. Aside from nonstandard exotic derivatives, plain vanilla options in many stock markets are actually of the American type, and it is of the utmost importance to be able to value these American options quickly and accurately. To price these options, we can distinguish three types of methods: Monte Carlo simulation, numerical solution of the corresponding partial-(integro) differential equation and numerical integration. The talk presents a novel quadrature-based method for pricing options with earlyexercise features and provides numerical results based on the FFT algorithm.
Abstract: Discovery in the early 1970’s and subsequent developments of “toric geometry” are explained. Toric geometry gives surprising interconnection between convex geometry (which deals with linear inequalities) and algebrai geometry (which deals with algebraic equations). It found applications notonly in mathematics but in “Mirror Symmetry” and others.
Abstract: Recently, a detailed shape model of an asteroid was reported in Nature, following the first success in asteroid landing and takeoff in the world in autumn 2005, when the asteroidal unmanned explorer HAYABUSA landed on asteroid Itokawa. The shape of Itokawa and its origin will be accompanied by a recent hot topic on planet definition.
Abstract: Many real systems can be described as networks,
composed of a set of nodes and a set of edges connecting the nodes.
Interestingly, it has been found that most biological and
non-biological networks (e.g., internet, social networks, metabolic and
protein-protein interaction networks) have a common architecture,
termed scale-free or broad-tail topology. Here, we
present our recent research on scale-free networks in biological
systems to-gether with an integrative analysis on gene expression space
and metabolic space. In particular, we integrate environmental
signal-induced expres-sion data with structural data of the yeast
metabolic network and analyze the topological properties of the induced
or repressed sub-networks. They reveal significant discrepancies from
random networks, and in particular exhibit a high connectivity,
allowing them to be mapped back to complete metabolic routes.
Abstract: Recently, fate and behavior of a pesticide applied for the control of Chi-ronomidae in small stream have been investigated, including the degrada-tion of an organophosphorus pesticide by the bacteria isolated from river water. Fate of natural estrogens such as estron and estradiol in sewage treatment plant were also studied. The main findings will be introduced in the talk.
Abstract: We have developed a new class of electrolytes for lithium batteries, based on organosilicon compounds. The new electrolytes have many advan-tages: they are highly conducting, very stable, nonflammable, nontoxic, and harmless in the environment. The new organosilicon electrolytes are now being used in implantable neurostimulators useful for treating serious medical conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, and spinal cord damage. The chemistry of these new materials will be outlined, and examples of their useful applications will be described.
Abstract : I will outline the three major reasons for studying
thermophilic microorganisms:
Abstract : National project “Science and technology Literacy” has been just launched as a collaboration of ICU, Science Council of Japan, Ochanomizu Women's University and National Institute of Education Policy. The aim of this project is to clarify what is the knowledge and thinking about science and technology for all adult Japanese to bear. Similar project has been carried out in US by AAAS as “Project 2061” whose aim is to lift the level of science and technology knowledge and skill to some extent so that the democracy of American society may be maintained. AAAS published “Science for all Americans” in 1983 on the basis of discussions among scientists, pedagogy professionals, administrators, sociologists and so on. We think that we need to have “Science for all Japanese” on the basis of analysis of science and technology, culture, spirituality, and ecological systems of Japan.
Abstract : Over the past several years, The National Science Foundation in the U.S. has invited substantially in nationwide undergraduate summer research experiences for mainly juniors in mathematics. In keeping with this national priority, (though without NSF support), the NS division at Wheaton College (IL) has sought to establish REU's (research Experiences for Undergraduates) across the division. in this talk, I will describe a variety of projects I have undertaken with undergraduate math majors, and their outcomes. Students will be invited to participate this term in a non-ICU style research experience just for fun: junsui ni tanoshimu tame ni .
Abstract : Most species of animals produce a single type of
sperm, but some species produce plural morphological types of sperm.
This phenomenon is called sperm polymorphism. In many cases of this
phenomenon, non-fertile sperm are produced along with fertile sperm
during spermatogenesis. The non-fertile sperm, which has no capacity
for fertilization, is called parasperm, whereas fertile sperm, which
has a capacity for fertilization, is called eusperm. The production of
parasperm can be seen in invertebrates, e.g. Lepidoptera such
as butterflies and moths, and Gastropoda such as snails. Recently, it
is revealed from studies of a moth that parasperm are indispensable in
fertilization.
On the other hand, sperm polymorphism in vertebrates is confirmed only
in some species of cottoid fish (Teleost). From our studies, it was
clarified that parasperm of a marine cottoid fish, Hemilepidotus
gilberti, has a role to assist kin eusperm to fertilize by blocking
non-kin eusperm, when plural males compete sperm emission toward an egg
mass a female spawned (this situation is called sperm competition).
In the testis of H. gilberti spermatids that become parasperm
and that become eusperm are connected by a cytoplasmic bridge in a cyst
of testis, suggesting both sperm differentiate from the same
spermatocytes. Thus, no production of parasperm without eusperm occurs
vice versa. These suggest that some critical controls may
participate in differentiation of parasperm. In addition, taking into
account the role of parasperm exhibited in sperm competition, it can be
predicted that parasperm production is affected by environment for
mating, e.g. sex ratio or the status of each male in a
population.
In this presentation, I introduce sperm polymorphism in animals, and
talk about our studies on development and function of parasperm in
cottoid fish. Some new data of cell culture of parasperm and eusperm
also will be introduced.
化学反応も生物の現象も電子の電気や磁気による．
電気のない"電子＝ニュートリノ"は何か反応や現象を起こすか？
現代の科学技術は電子が築いた．果たしてニュートリノは？？？
ニュートリノは物質の究極素粒子である．宇宙はニュートリノで満ちている．
素粒子と宇宙のKey-Particleニュートリノは21世紀の物理を創り，新たな科学を拓く可能性を秘めている．
Abstract : Neutrinos are electrons without electric charge.
Neutrinos are fundamental particles, and the universe is full of
neutrinos.
Neutrinos are mysterious particles. We do not even know their mass.
Most chemical reactions and biological phenomena and modern technologies are due to electrons/electric charge.
Can neutrinos without electric charge have anything to do with science and technology? "YES"!
Understanding neutrinos may provide a key to open new physics in
the 21st century.
Neutrinos are of potential interest for new technologies as well.
Abstract : A graph consists of vertices and edges. Replacing a
complicated problem around us by a simple diagram of vertices and
edges, we often figure out the essence of the problem. Although it is
interesting to see correspondence between graphs and various matters,
in Graph Theory we focus on the properties of graphs themselves apart
from the corresponding matters. Eigenvalues of a graph are among such
properties.
In this talk we consider a substructure of a graph with high regularity
in terms of its eigenvalues.
講演要旨：科学は様々なやり方で発展していく．時にはトーマス・クーンがかの有名な本で指摘したように，新しい発見や洞察が，ある分野での
共通認識のパターンを革新してしまうようなこと，つまりパラダイムシフトが起こる．そんな変革が1981年に典型元素の化学に起こった．ケイ素の多重結合
の発見 である．
1981年にSi=C結合を持つ化合物(シレン)とSi=Si結合を持つ化合物(ジシレン)がはじめて報告された．その発見は，”重い典型元素では多重結
合が不安定である”といういわゆる”二重結合則”信仰をひっくり返し，この分野の化学の集中的な発展へと導いた．このような発見を導いた歴史をふりかえる
とともに，ケイ素の多重結合の化学の最近の展開について述べる．
Abstract : Science advances in many different ways. Sometimes, as
Thomas Kuhn pointed out in his famous book, a paradigm shift can take
place, in which a new discovery or insight revolutionizes the pattern
of belief in a given area. Such a change occurred in main group
chemistry in 1981, with the discovery of multiple bonds to silicon.
In 1981, the first compounds containing Si=C bonds (silenes) and Si=Si
bonds (disilenes) were reported. These discoveries overturned the
belief that multiple bonds to the heavier main group elements were
unstable (the "double bond rule"), and led to the intense development
of chemistry in this field. In this talk the history leading up to
these discoveries will be recounted, and some recent developments in
the multiple bond chemistry of silicon will be described.
Abstract:International Whaling Commission (IWC）has been
conducting the international whale sighting survey in the Antarctic
waters every Southern Hemisphere summer. This cruise was started as
IDCR (International Decay of Cetacean Research) in 1978. The main
budget comes from Japan which is very keen to investigate "the
population resource" of minke whales. Name of the cruise was changed to
Southern Ocean Whale and Ecosystem Research (SOWER), and just completed
the third circumpolar cruise in this March after 36 years. I had the
opportunity to participate this SOWER 2003-04 as an international
researcher. This was my sixth Antarctic cruise and the first voyage to
Ross Sea.
The cruise conducts a cetacean sighting survey based on the line
transect method and the main purpose of the survey is investigation of
cetacean population in the Antarctic waters (South of 60°S). Besides,
several studies are carried on at the same time; such as photography
for individual identification (natural marking study), biopsy samplings
for DNA study, and acoustic recordings of underwater vocalization.
Ross Sea is historically and oceanographically an interesting area in
the Antarctic waters. Ross Sea was the starting point to the South Pole
for Scott and Amundsen and The Japanese first Antarctic expedition team
led by Lt. Shirase also came down here. Most of Ross Sea was covered by
ice even during summer time and a regular vessel can get in to the area
only a few weeks in summer. I would like to introduce cetaceans, seals,
birds and the scenery I saw during this short Ross Sea cruise and to
show the life on the boat.
河床付着層について
| ・構成微生物 ・河床付着層の構造と形成・剥離過程 ・生態学的解析 ・アプローチおよび手法の検討 |
・細菌数の変動とその要因 ・細菌の培養能と環境要因 ・細菌株の性質 ・細菌群集と付着性藻類のコンソーシアム |
ゆく河の流れは絶えずして，しかも，もとの水にあらず．よどみに浮ぶうたかたは，かつ消え，かつ結びて，久しくとゞまり たるためしなし．世中にある，人と栖と，又かくのごとし．鴨長明
Abstract:We first examine the standard construction of rational
numbers and then consider a different point of view. This new
interpretation of rational numbers leads to some interesting
generalizations. We discuss some consequences of this generalized
construction and some examples.
Finally, we examine some aspects of the process of generalization in
mathematics.
Abstract:An Arrangement of tori can be considered as a
non-linear generalization of an arrangement of hyperplanes. An
important example appears in algebraic group theory.
In this talk, Using the language of matrices, we would like to explain
this example as simply as possible. In particular, we will talk about
cohomology of an arrangement of tori and vector fields on an
arrangement of tori.
Abstract:Polymers are everywhere around us ﾐ and mostly
carbon-based.
They are usually cheap and come in all kinds of forms and shapes, for
all kinds of uses. They are versatile due to the possibility of tuning
their properties by chemically modifying their structures and due to
their processability. For example: chair seats: polyurethane foam;
camera casing and glasses: polycarbonate; glasses:
polymethylmethacrylate; clothes: nylons; PET bottles: poly(ethylene
terephthalate); paints, glues, any plastic items. Most of the other
items we see and contact daily are natural polymers, such as leather,
wool and cellulose in cotton, paper and trees.
The polysilanes on the other hand, have a silicon backbone, which
results in quite different properties ﾐ especially their optoelectronic
properties, resulting from sigma conjugation along the silicon chain.
Although the properties of polymer molecules give them wide
applications, control over the shapes and alignment of molecules can
afford even more applications, such as nematic liquid crystal phases.
This talk starts with the basics of polymers and then describes our
work on the control of such supramolecular structure in polysilanes and
how to analyse the phenomena.
Abstract : I have been interested in the regulatory mechanisms behind plant growth and development throughout my academic life, especially, in morphological alterations caused by environmental factors such as light, gravity, and temperature, whose stimuli are considered to be mediated to a large extent by plant hormones. In this talk generously illustrated by power point, I will introduce my basic questions about plant science, which derive from my observation of our surroundings. I would like to share my great interest and joy in the processes of solving these questions with you and also to present our recent results on these topics.
Abstract : Avalanches, i.e., the occurrence of massive stimulated emission, of phonons (lattice vibrations) are observed in a single crystal of dilute ruby (Al2O3 doped with Cr3+). The emitting medium consists of red-luminescent Cr3+ centers, whose lowest metastable dou blets are inversely populated by selective optical excitation [Tilstra, Arts, de Wijn, Phys. Rev. B 68, 144302 (2003)]. The emitted phonon beam appears to be coherent and directional to a substantial degree, and to reverberate between the end faces of the ruby crystal acting as mirrors. The essential characteristics for a phonon laser have thus been established.
Abstract : Two major intelligent processing techniques by
computer are symbolic processing and computing processing. In symbolic
processing, one symbolizes the reality and carries out the processing
by manipulating those symbols using algorithm. This technique is suited
to processing of formal meaning and is applicable to relatively
advanced reasoning. Meanwhile, computing processing is suited to
Stimulus-reactive processing in the process of recognizing objects and
is applicable to pattern recognition and generation of notions. Since
the two techniques cover different types of processing, one can hope
for improvement of intelligent processing.
In this research, the neural network which we propose is modelled
on human brain and learns valid notions in interaction with
environment, and we propose the program that generates their symbols
using the neural network. We insert these new symbols into the neural
network and propose a model which effectively uses these symbolic
notions. Using. this model, we simulate a simple soccer game and verify
the validity of the model unifying symbolic processing and computing
processing.
Abstract:Water circulates the globe, staring from the forest and
reaching the sea. In urban areas, the circulation of water has become
unbalanced, sources in our vicinities are disappearing, and
contamination of water resources is threatening our daily life.
Grassroots movements for the conservation of the water environment have
become active. In this lecture, several such movements will b
introduced and some proposal for activities will be raised.
Abstract:The aldol condensation is one of the most important
reactions in organic synthesis since it has capability of forming
carbon-carbon bonds, . The reaction, in principle, gives 4
stereoisomers having two neighbouring chiral centers. Many efforts have
therefore been made in synthetic chemistry to obtain a sole product.
We have taken advantage of enzyme catalyzed aldol reactions to strictly
control the stereochemistry, since the enzymatic reaction can occur
under mild conditions, e.g., in aqueous medium and at moderate
temperature, with ease.
Enzymes which catalyze the aldol reaction are referred to "aldolases",
and more than 20 kinds of aldolases are known. Strategies using
FDP-aldolase and L-threonine aldolase afforded facile synthetic routes
to several biologically active compounds, such as glycosidase
inhibitors, an anti-Vero toxin agent, and anti-inflammatory agents.
Speaker : Professor James Zuiches (Dean of the College of Agriculture and Home Economics, Washington State University, USA)
Abstract : Every land-grant university in the United States was established to provide educational programs in disciplines as wide ranging as agriculture, military science, veterinary medicine, liberal arts, sciences and practical education, such as business and engineering. In its teaching programs, the College of Agriculture and Home Economics teaches agribusiness, animal sciences and pre-veterinary programs, plant sciences, wildlife biology and natural resource sciences, engineering, food science and human nutrition, human development and design disciplines in landscape architecture, interior design, and apparel design and merchandising. I will discuss how all these disciplines contribute to diverse career options for our students.
Abstract : In the electrochemical technology, the reduction of molecular oxygen / dioxygen to hydrogen peroxide or water plays an important role. The reduction of dioxygen in energy conversion and storage has led to a quest for newer catalysts for its electro-reduction under different experimental conditions because these reductions involve multiple electron transfer and they are very difficult to catalyse. Modification of electrode surfaces with electron transfer materials is a common approach to prepare electrodes with electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of dioxygen. A brief pre-sentation will be done on the investigatory work carried out on the reduction of dioxygen by using bare glassy carbon electrode, clay modified and riboflavin modified electrodes in various supporting media. The electrochemical techniques employed for the study were Cyclic voltammetry, Differential pulse voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, Chronoamperometry, Chronocoulometry and Hydrodynamic voltammetry.
Abstract : Cellulose is believed to be nature's most abundant macromolecule and major industries use the cellulose extracted from wood fires to make pulp and paper and the nearly pure cellulose produced by cotton fires to make textiles. Plants make some 1011 tones per year to provide the major structual element in their cell walls. It shapes their growing cells -and determines their mechanical properties when mature. The remarkable Strength and- chemical resistance of cellulose result from chains of β-1,4-linked glucose residues associating to fork long, paracrystalline microfibrils. Plants deposit these in precise orientations, often building successive layers with changing orientations to provide materials with excellent mechanical properties. Notwithstanding its chemical simplicity and abundance, understanding how plants make and align cellulose has proved surprisingly difficult. I will describe our mutants of （Arabidopsis） where we can turn cellulose synthesis on and off by changing the temperature. Aided now by the published （Arabidopsis） genome Sequence, We and others have used such mutants to identify key genes needed to make cellulose, to identify a novel lipoglucan as a possibly intermediate in the synthesis pathway and to discover Surprising links between synthesis and microfibril alignment. I will finish by describing my plan to use fluorescence polarization while at ICU to rapidly analyse microfibril alignment in intact plants.
Abstract : On-line recognition of handwritten cursive characters
is a key issue in state-of-the-art character recognition research of
the pattern-recognition area, and extensive research has been conducted
to accommodate the variation Seen in stroke-order, stroke-number and
stroke deformation. In this forum, the novel methods about the online
handwriting recognition will be presented. First, an efficient
stroke-to-stroke correspondence search algorithm is proposed with
application to stroke-order-free online character recognition. An
exponential order al-gorithm complexity is achieved by using Dynamic
Programming controlled by a cubic form automaton whose nodes correspond
to matching status of reference strokes to input strokes. This
algorithm efficiently search for the optimal stroke correspondence
based on the optimality criterion including the inter-stroke
information_ By experiments, it is demonstrated that the proposed
search algorithms operate fast enough for practical application.
Second, we present a method of signature verification using the
3-dimensional direction vector which expresses inclination of a pen. h
the experiments, information of x-y coordinate, pen pressure, and pen
inclination are used as characteristic values of a signature. Time
series data of these values of an input signature are corresponded to
those of a reference signature, and difference of the corresponded time
series data of two signatures is used in verification.
Third, we present a technique to generate a handwritten style font that
reflects a user's individual handwriting style. It replaces the
reference stroke, which is compressed using vector quantization, with a
stroke inputted by the user. Many Chinese characters were generated by
the fewest possible input characters using this technique. In this
research, two clustering algorithms are included for vector
quantization, a simple clustering algorithm and a K-means clustering
algorithm. We succeeded in reflecting the handwriting character Of a
user's individual nature because an Objective evaluation based on the
distance between characters, and a subjective evaluation by each user.
Finally, the demonstration programs applied the method mentioned above
are interactively presented.
Abstract : "Environmental Hormone Pollution" has come to be recognized as one of the major social issues today,not only in Japan but also throughout the world. Nevertheless, it was first introduced to the Japanese people through an NHK science program called "Science Eye" only 6 years ago, in 1997. The term "environmental hormones" didn'teven exist until then. As a TV director, I have eye-witnessed the cutting-edge researches on this issue from the very early stage of its development, and informed people about it through programs such as "NHK Special" and "Science Eye".In this lecture, I would like to discuss how the environmental hormone pollution has gained people's understanding and awareness in Japan and what can be done about it today, including the video clips of the programs I have directed.
Abstract : Recent advances of 3D digitizing technologies and
increasing usage ofthem in industry, medicine, archiving cultural
artifacts, and
entertainment call for development of new tools for digital processing
of complex 3D shapes. A typical process of shape acquisition using a
range finder (a laser scanner, for example) consists of producing a set
of dense points sampled from a physical object and converting the
points into a computer graphics object (represented routinely as a
polygonal mesh). Usually next stages of digital processing 3D shapes
involve feature extraction procedures for object recognition,
intelligent editing, and other purposes.
A skeleton extracted from a polygonal surface reflects and exaggerates
the geometric structure of the surface. Therefore many important
surface features can be defined and detected via corresponding skeleton
features. Shape creases, ridges and ravines, are detected as curves
corresponding to skeletal edges. The approach explores the singularity
theory for ridge and ravine detection, combines several filtering
methods for skeleton denoising and for selecting perceptually important
ridges and ravines.
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The view was suddenly changed in 1981, when at the same meeting the discovery of Si=Si and Si=C double bonds was announced. This seminar will trace the histoq of these discoveries, and describe the new areas of chemistry to which they led.
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Abstract : Coding theory which corrects errata in information
transmission, computer etc. plays an important role in engineering. On
the other hand, algebraic geometry is a highly abstract mathematical
theory. Goppa related these two theories which have no apparent
connection, by his invention of algebro-geometric codes.
It tells us that we can make ultimately efficient codes by algebraic
curves over finite fields with many rational points. It has been a pure
mathematical problem for a long time, which is also my research subject.
I shall introduce two methods of constructing algebraic curves with
many rational points when the parameters of finite field and genus are
fixed. First, I use quadratic forms to count rational points on
algebraic curves whose genera are determined easily. Secondly, I pick
up algebraic curves with similar genera, and search for aloe- brain
curves with many rational points by computer.
Abstract : Genetic conflict is defended as "the conflict between
different components of the same genome". Every genetic system has
potential conflicts. Recently, such conflicts are considered to be the
major force of evolution. "Selfish genetic elements (SGE)'' are
vertically transmitted genetic materials that manipulate their "host"
reproduction, thus they can rapidly spread throughout the population.
SGE usually decrease the fitness of other genes, so studies on co-
evolution between SGE and other genes now become the focus of interest.
Genus Wolbachia is rickettsial endocellular symbiotic
microorganism and the typical of SGE, It is found in many arthropod
animals and manipulate host reproduction to maximize their chance of
vertical transmission. In the pierid butterfly, Eurema hecabe,
I found the multiple infection of sex-ratio distorting Wolbachia
and cytoplasmic incompatibility inducing Wolbachia in
Okinawajima population. I will introduce the dynamics of Wolbachia
infection in E. hecabe, and discuss its evolutionary
consequence.
A polymer is essentially a large molecule built up by the repetition of small, simple chemical units into long chains or 3-dimensional structures. It is the large size of these molecules which imparts the special characteristics, for example, cumulative inter-chain interactions affording the mechanical properties of polyethylene. or electronic delocalisation affording the light emitting properties of poly(p-phenylene vinylene).
In this talk I will give an introduction to the world of polymers: their history, synthesis, properties, uses and some outlooks for the future.
Abstract:Error correcting codes have important applications to information devices. In this lecture, I would like to introduce several mathematical tools to study codes in algebraic combinatorics.
講演要旨：今回のNSフォーラムでは，私がこの2年間Greenfield先生と行ってきたγ線の測定から雨量を求める実験の最新結果につ いて話したいと思います．雨の時にガンマ線量が増加する理由を説明し，その増加を測定する最適な条件についても述べます．特に，ガンマ線量と雨量の相関度 がガンマ線を測定する高度に依存することが分かったので，その結果を中心に話します．最後にこの実験結果を都のように応用できるかについて触れます．物理 に詳しくない人も分かるレベルで話したいと思っているので，ご参加下さい．
理学科・平和研究所 共同フォーラム
Peace Research Institute and Natural Science Division Joint Forum
Abstract:A new light is beginning to shine on the middle east, where disastrous political conflict is overwhelming. The idea of creating an international research center of synchrotron light for promoting cooperation among scientists beyond the barriers of nations, races, religions and genders was approved by the general assembly of UNESCO last autumn. Now the construction of its facilities is in progress in Jordan. Just as the establishment of CERN ( European Center of Nuclear Research ) in 1955 after disastrous destruction due to the two world wars to explore frontier of modern physics, we are now creating SESAME as a gift of human kind to the new century where we wish to establish peace and progress in this area. I would like to report how this enterprise proceeds now.
Abstract : Viruses or virus-like particles (VLPs) have been
acknowledged to be general constituents of common aquatic ecosystems,
whose postulated roles are microbial population control and gene
transfer. Viruses rave been assumed to have little importance because
bacterial cells generally restrict their acceptance of foreign genetic
materials. It is also believed that the ho strange of bacterial viruses
(bacteriophages) is restricted to specific bacterial strains or closely
related species. While knowledge of transduction and /LP-host
interaction has accumulated mainly through studies of mesophilic
microbial communities, there is insufficient information about the
distribution and ecological roles of VLPs in thermal environments. We
have been studying marine and thermophilic VLPs, which are produced by
spontaneous induction in bacteria. Such VLPs, whose original hosts are
not related to Escherichia coli at least at the family level,
showed mild lethal effect (reduced population up to 1/10) on E.coli
recipients with gene transfer capability ( 10-2 - 10-6
cfu/VLP).It is noted that the transductant acquired VLP productivity,
which showed similar lethal effect and/or gene transfer ability to the
recipient as well. Such VLPs showed a reduction of viable cell count
'infection' without forming plaques on original host and E. coli
recipients. The findings imply that a 'broad-host-range vector
particle' is prevalent in Nature. It is also suggested hat at least
some environmental VLPs may share similar characteristics, a phenomenon
not explained by he general features of lytic or lysogenic cycles of
viruses that infect microorganisms.
Samples were collected from a geothermal hot spring, Nakanoyu, Nagano,
and a relatively high lumber of VLPs in the water (up to I 06
particles per ml) was observed. Mature VLPs Were observed inside about
12 % of the bacteria, which were classified as novel hyperthermophilic
chemolithotrophic sulphur-turf predominant bacteria belonging to the
deepest-branching lineage of the domain Bacteria Aqmficales).VLP-mediated
gene transfer was experimentally demonstrated using auxotrophic mutants
of E. coli and Bacillus subtilis with an average
efficiency of I 0-6 cfu per particle. The 'VLP' originating
from these thermophilic bacteria may be a xenotrophic gene transfer
particle. The particle from thermophilic, sulphur-oxidizing bacteria
was able to accomplish gene transfer from Gram-negative bacteria to
Gram-positive bacteria. Particle production from the generated
transductants was confirmed. From these results, it is strongly
suggested that at least some of the widely distributed VLPs could be
general gene transfer agents among a wide range of microbial host cells
and might function as a universal vector. Considering that 'particles',
which could mediate gene transfer between genetically distinct host
cells, were obtained from such dissimilar environments as the hot
spring and the ocean, gene transfer mediated by' VLPs' may be a
ubiquitous event in the natural environment.
In order to examine such a high transduction frequency, experiments
were extended to the thermal water column, and 'VLP'-mediated gene
transfer experiments were conducted. VLP and cell abundance in water
samples from geothermal vents in Toyoha Mine driftway (78℃), and a
hydrothermal vent (255 - 308℃) in the Suiyo Seamount were ca 108
(Toyoha Mine) and ca 104 (Suiyo Seamount) particles/cells
per ml, respectively. Gene transfer frequency observed for amino acid
requirements restoration of auxotrophic E.coliwas 10-4
(Toyoha Mine) and 10-8 (Suiyo Seamount) cfu per particle.
Preliminary results using 'VLPs' from these geo- and hydrothermal vents
support the above hypothesis. The non-specific gene transfer by such
particles from a hydrothermal vent implies that such gene transfer
particles have mediated gene flux among phylogenetically diverse
bacterial communities since the early age of the Earth.
Abstract : We live in the word where most of information is processed in an electronic way. The logical "true" and "false" states are represented by high and low potentials in electronic devices. However, one can also consider chemical methods of information processing. For example, a propagating pulse of concentration in a spatially distributed excitable chemical system is similar to an signal in an electronic device. Continuing the analogy we can assciate the logical "true" state with a high concentration of a selected reagent and the logical "false" state with the low concentration of it. Within these assumptions a propagating pulse of concentration transmits information. The information coded in pulses of concentration can be processed in properly constructed chemical reactors. I will show how to build signal diodes, logical gates, detectors of signal coincidence (*1) or switches of the channel in which the signal propagates (*2).The results of calculations based on the models of nonlinear chemical systems can be compared with experiments in which such signal processing reactors can be realized. In the final part of my lecture I will show how to construct reactors, which can count the number of propagating impulses.
(*1) A. Tot h and K. Showalter, J. Chem. Phys. 103 (1995) 2058;
I. N. Motoike and K. Yoshikawa,Phys. Rev. E59 (1999) 5354; T. Kusumi,
T. Yamaguchi, R. R. Aliev, T. Amemiya, T. Ohmori, H. Hashimoto and K.
Yoshikawa, Chem. Phys. Letters 271 (1 997) 355;I. N. Motoike, K.
Yoshikawa, Y. Iguchi and S. Nakata, Phys. Rev. E 63 (2001) 036220
(*2) J. Sielewiesiuk and J. Gorecki,J. Phys. Chem. A 105 (2001).
Abstract:Our world is made up of all kinds of molecules. The ability of individual molecules to recognize, and discriminate between, their interacting partners is a key determinant of chemical reactivity, enzyme catalysis and many other fundamental process of Chemistry. How do they recognize the partner molecules? Molecular shape is an important factor for their recognition, and through the window of NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), we can SEE the world of molecules, their shapes and how they move and interact each other. The talk will introduce the basic principles of NMR and the world of molecules revealed through its application.
Abstract:It is becoming very common that we use web servers in the internet, for example, Amazon, Yahoo and the others for wide variety of purposes; these web servers are supported database systems treating requests and service responses as transactions between browsers and web servers. Web transaction processing is a new frontier further complex than traditional transaction processing on traditional database systems; the origin is an airline reservation system: the SABRE developed early 1960's by IBM and American Air Line. Transaction Processing used to be isolated and covered in secret veils, but the bible was written by Jim Gray, who was awarded to the Turing Prize, 1998. Evolving essential concepts are being extensively described very recently. A transaction has the ACID (Atomicity, Consistency, Isolated and Durable). However from operating systems points of view, that can convert that a transaction has concurrency and fail-recover properties. On operating systems structure, two approaches are suggested: procedure-oriented and message-oriented. The duality of procedure-oriented and message-oriented provides possibilities of constructing operating systems supports for web transaction processing systems.
Abstract:Suppose we have a network of wires. Each wire is conducting or non-conducti on with a certain probability. If all wires are conducting, then the whole network is conduction. Namely current can from one end to the other. If all wires are non-conducting, then the whole network is non-conducting. Then we can ask the following question; when will the whole network become no n-conducting if the probability of each wire being non-conducting is increased? This question itself is simple, but its solution is not easily obtained. The solution is dependent on the structure of the network. It is an academic problem in that in practical problems such an exact solution is not needed. But it stimulates mathematical thinking and is really a joy to think about it. Recently we obtained an exact solution for a class of lattice structures such as honeycomb lattice and kagome lattice. I will explain how we attacked the problem and what are unsolved problems.
Abstract:Form and coloration of insects have fascionated humans
since ancient times. Successful life of insects on earth may be due to
diversity of their size, shape and habitat. The main interest in my
reseach work is to analyze the phenomena where insects of the identical
species having the same genome change their form and color according to
environmental stimuli.
In this Forum, I briefly introduce insects with focus
on their small size and huge numbers of species and indiviuals, and
then talk with my reseach about the phenomena of color adaptation and
the mechanisms underlaying them, in especially about the colorations of
moth cocoon and butterfly wing.
Abstract:During my last research leave, I have been involved in the research on Trypanosoma trans-silaidase in the triple collaboration with Prof. Thiem in Hamburg Univ. and Prof. Schauer in Kiel Univ. Trypanosomes are parasites, responsible for human sleeping sickness and Chaga disease, and Nagara cattle disease. According to WHO report, 100 million people are now risked with trypanosomiasis, 18-35 million infected and more than 45 thousand peoples killed every year. We have no effective chemotherapy for these diseases. Trypanosomes have unique enzyme on the cell surfaces, trans-sialidase which cleave terminal bound sialic acid of glycoproteins in human sera or erythrocyles, and transfer it onto Trypanosoma cell surface proteins. These proteins, highly negatively charged glyco-calyx, protect Trypanosomes from the immune lysis and make them easy invade into host cells. To find effective way of the medical treatment of trypanosomiasis, basic research on trans-silaidase is needed. In NS-Forum, I will talk about the following topics and also some of my experiences in Germany.
Abstract:Since I joined ICU a year and a half ago, the area of my teaching has been changed significantly, so that the main part of my teaching load is devoted to foundation courses. It gives me an opportunity to deliberate on what should we teach in those courses to NS students. First I checked various textbooks, Web pages, etc., but what I found is that I have to work hard myself in order to make up my own idea, implement it, and check it. In this forum, I will talk about my experiments in this regard, in hopes of your advice and discussions.
Abstract:By making groups act on spaces, we can investigate many properties of these spaces. Transformation group theory is geometry to study the existence of group actions on given spaces as well as constructions and classifications of actions. In this talk, I will introduce one approach for study of this field by showing some simple examples.
Abstract:Chemical aspects of π-electrons in organic smiconductors and intercalation compounds of graphite, fullerene and nanotube.
Abstract:In this talk I will introduce examples and problems in algebraic combinatorics using finite geometry, codes, designs, and graphs. What do you think is beautiful? Platonic solids? Anything else?
といった点を簡単に説明し，壁掛けテレビの仕組みについて，またその実現の可能性について解説する予定です．
Abstract:The use of CVD diamond to fabricate cold cathodes and the possibility of using such devices in flat panel displays have attracted much attention in recent years. In this lecture, we will focus our attention on three questions:
In addition, we will discuss whether hopes to create CVD diamond based flat panel displays can be realized.
Abstract:Distance sometimes widens our view and helps us to comprehend the properties of the objects more deeply. 'Remote Sensing' is a technique that enables us to grasp the properties of distant objects. Regular monitoring of the changes in the earth's surface is a major element in the construction of the database for global environmental information, which will be expanded to the integrated 'Digital Earth Project'. A brief introduction will be presented about our attempts to analyze the coverage and activities of vegetation in the Musashino area of Tokyo, including our familiar ICU campus, using earth observing satellites' data.
Abstract:Gaining muscular strength with resistive exercise training is important not only for improving athletic performance, but also for attenuating the age-related decline in musculoskeletal function. However, the mechanisms underlying the exercise-induced increases in muscular size and strength have not been fully understood. We have recently found that several factors are involved in exercise stimuli and play important roles in inducing muscular adaptation. The present lecture will focus on the roles played by gene-transcription factors, growth factors, hormones and intramuscular blood flow. Also, a new strategy is proposed for developing effective exercise regimens.
Abstract:How we characterize a set of object? There are several
well known methods, such as simply listing all objects (if the set in
question is not too large) or defining the membership by certain
properties, etc.. In case such objects are functions there are few
other known methods, e.g., using algebraic closure operations, or
preservation of relations to describe certain functional classes. I
will present a new method of a so-called "Equational Characterization"
which is applicable to a fairly large family of sets of Logic
Functions, particularly the Boolean ones. This characterization may
become a valuable tool for approaching certain algorithmic problems in
Computer Science.
Although the topic may seem a bit advanced or too specialized, I will
present the main idea and some results in an easy, descriptive form
aiming to communicate to a broad audience of NS.
Abstract:My talk will begin with a brief introduction about the use of space environment for scientific experiments. I will then describe our experiments on the effect of microgravity on the behaviour of Paramecium using drop towers and airplanes (parabolic flights) as an example of space-oriented research. Paramecium is a unicellular organism which has long been known to respond to gravity although it appears to possess no specialized sensor for gravity. It has also been reported that Paramecium multiplies more rapidly in orbit than it does on the earth. It is hoped that future space experiments will elucidate the mechanisms of these interesting phenomena.
Title : Equilibrium crystal shapes
and the roughening transition
Abstract : In addition to X-ray crystal structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy has been successful in structure analysis of nucleic acids and their complexes with a protein or a drug, which brought about the outstanding development of structural biology. Particularly, establishment of chemical methodology for stable isotope labeling of nucleic acids components, e. g., highly diastereoselective deuteration at the 2'-position of 2'-deoxyribonucleosides, made it possible to precisely analyze even such subtle conformational changes occurring in the 2'-deoxy-D-ribofuranosyl mo ieties on the complex formation. Our recent synthetic studies on site-specific and/or highly diastereoselective labeling of nucleosides with 2H, 13C, and/or 15N will be described.
Title:"Front of Research and Development - Some Anecdotes - "
In these 50 years, I have been experienced, seen as well as heard of
many examples in the front of research and development; new ideas
obtained from trivial matter, promoting processes on the opportunity of
failure. I will talk about such anecdotes which did not appear in
scientific papers, and will refer to the relationship between research
activity and development of new products at Sony Co. I hope my talk
stimulate the "will to think" of some students.
小惑星の地球への衝突の可能性が懸念されています．この問題について，第一人者である磯部博士に分かりやすく解説していただく予定です．
学内の皆様，とくに天文学に興味をお持ちの方の出席を歓迎します．
The lecture (in Japanese) is open to all members of ICU.
Dr.Fredrikkson obtained her PhD at Stockholm University and is now staying at ICU (NS) as a post-doctral fellow sponsored by JSPS.
興味のある方はどなたでも歓迎いたします．
Anyone interested is welcome.
For further information, please contact Horiuchi, ext. 3280
horiuchi@icu.ac.jp
Akiko Horiuchi
Chemistry Department
Natural Science Division
International Christian University
3-10-2, Osawa
Mitaka-shi, Tokyo 181
Japan
tel: 0422-33-3280, FAX: 0422-33-1449
Anyone interested is welcome.
佐野瑞香教授:電話:0422-33-3258，
千浦博講師:電話:0422-33-3244，chiura@icu.ac.jp
Title:Mechanics and Thermodynamics; The origin and implications
of irreversibility
If the nonequilibrium condition is strengthened, the macroscopic states
will be drastically changed. Furthermore, the intermediate regions
between microscopic and macroscopic levels produce unexpectely complex
phenomena in transport and fluctuations.