We investigate the relation between the emission properties of supernova shock breakout in the circumstellar matter (CSM) and the behavior of the shock. Using a Monte-Carlo method, we examine how the light curve and spectrum depends on the asphericity of the shock and bulk-Compton scattering, and compare the results with the observed properties of X-ray outburst (XRO) 080109/SN 2008D. We found that the rise and decay time of the X-ray light curve do not significantly depend on the degree of shock asphericity and the viewing angle in a steady and spherically symmetric CSM. The observed X-light curve and spectrum of XRO 080109 can be reproduced by considering the shock with a radial velocity of 60% of the speed of light, and the wind mass loss rate is about 5 × 10−4M⊙.

Whether increased serotonin (5-HT) release in the forebrain attenuates or enhances anxiety has been controversial for over 25 yr. Although there is considerable indirect evidence, there is no direct evidence that indicates a relationship between acute 5-HT release and anxiety. In particular, there is no known method that can reversibly, selectively, and temporally control serotonergic activity. To address this issue, we generated transgenic animals to manipulate the firing rates of central 5-HT neurons by optogenetic methods. Activation of serotonergic neurons in the median raphe nucleus was correlated to enhanced anxiety-like behaviour in mice, whereas activation of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus had no effect on anxiety-like behaviour. These results indicate that an acute increase in 5-HT release from the median raphe nucleus enhances anxiety.

The structure of Au-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles prepared by sonochemical technique was investigated by an analytical transmission electron microscopy. The core (Au)-shell (Pd) structure was clearly confirmed by the intensity profile of annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF-STEM). The line-scan analysis of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) in STEM mode also revealed the Au core-Pd shell structure. The selected area electron diffraction pattern from the Au-Pd nanoparticles indicated the possibility that the crystal lattice of Pd shell is expanded and coincident with the crystal lattice of Au core.

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.

Thin films of mixed manganese (mainly 4+) and vanadium (5+) oxides deposited electrochemically on a platinum substrate have been heat-treated under vacuum at various temperatures between 25 and 400 °C. Electron spin resonance and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the reductive formation of Mn2+ occurs at 300 °C only in the presence of vanadium within the film. This phenomenon can be regarded as a result of electron transfer from V4+ ions generated thermally to neighboring Mn sites. Voltammetric response of the heat-treated Mn/V oxide film in borate solution was enhanced with increasing the number of potential cycles, and the steady-state current was much larger than that of pure manganese oxide. Vanadate ions were diffused from the film to maintain the charge balance during the repetition cycles. The resultant porous structure can allow easier mass transport of protons to electrically conductive Mn oxide surface, offering the improved charge–discharge performance of the electrode.

To understand the ecology of the exotic silver European eel Anguilla anguilla introduced into Japanese waters, the migratory behavior of 106 specimens captured in the coastal waters of Japan between April 1997 and March 2002 was analyzed. Their migratory behavior was apparently correlated with various environmental factors, particularly photoperiod, water temperature, lunar phase, and passage of atmospheric depressions, and was similar to the behavior of the species in European waters. These findings suggest that transplanted European eels retain their ability to respond to environmental cues for seaward migration in similar temperate habitats. The timing of the migration of silver European eels coincided with that of the native Japanese eels A. japonica, suggesting that the silver European eel was synchronized physiologically with the native eel by the same environmental factors.

Porous α-alumina ceramics were prepared using the spray-pyrolyzed powder from aluminum nitrate solution and aluminum sulfate solution. Porosity and pore size distribution of the samples were examined with respect to the forming pressure and firing temperature. The porosity obtained changed from around 80% in the green compacts to 60–70% in the fired bodies fired at 1500 °C. The porosity of 30–40% remained even by firing at 1700 °C. Although there was no significant difference in the porosity of the fired bodies prepared from the sulfate and nitrate solutions, the fired bodies prepared from the nitrate solution showed apparently larger pore size than those from the sulfate solution. Fired bodies with an average pore radius from 0.2 to 0.8 μm can be prepared by this method. The four-point bending strength of the fired bodies, which had a porosity of 57% and an average pore radius of 0.23 μm, was 35 MPa.