A challenge of new materials for next generation's magnetic recording

Our recent study on a challenge of new materials for next generation's magnetic recording approaching an ultra high areal recording density beyond 1 Tbit/in.² is overviewed. We proposed novel methods for fabricating high performance magnetic recording heads and media by making the best use of wet (electro- and electroless-deposition) and dry (sputtering) processes. We believe that these results contribute significantly to the progress in magnetic recording and constitute a breakthrough for materializing an unexplored areal recording density beyond 1 Tbit/in.².     

Miniature hybrid microwave ICs using a novel thin-film technology

A novel thin-film technology for miniature hybrid microwave ICs is presented. All passive components, such as resistors and capacitors, are fully integrated on ordinary alumina ceramic substrates using the thin-film technology with very high yield. The numbers of parts and wiring processes were significantly reduced. This technology was applied to the fabrication of Ku-band solid-state power amplifiers. This thin-film technology offers the following advantages: (1) a very high yield fabrication process for thin-film capacitors having excellent electrical characteristics in the gigahertz range (ε=3.6, Q=230 at 12 GHz) and reliability; (2) two kinds of thin-film resistors having different temperature coefficients of resistivity (TCRs) and a lift-off process to integrate them with thin-film capacitors; and (3) a matching method using the thin-film capacitor     

Glucokinase is located in secretory granules of pancreatic D-cells

The effects of electrical stimulation, applied to the superior salivatory nucleus (SSN) or the cervical sympathetic nerve, on vascular permeability in nasal mucosa were studied in 16 cats. Plasma extravasation was quantified by using Evans blue. Vascular permeability in the cat nasal mucosa was increased by the electrical stimulation of SSN. Plasma extravasation induced by SSN stimulation was reduced by administration of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) antagonist, N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Administration of atropine did not affect increased vascular permeability by SSN stimulation. We conclude that neurogenic plasma extravasation in cat nasal mucosa evoked by the parasympathetic nerve is not mediated by cholinergic fibers but rather by nitric oxide.     

Osteoinduction by Functionally Graded Apatites of Bovine Origin Loaded with Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2

Bioresorbable and functionally graded apatites (fg-HAp) ceramics, which are characterized by gradations in crystallinity and the grain size of hydroxyapatite (HAp:Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂), were designed using bovine bone by the calcination and partial dissolution–precipitation method. The fg-HAp ceramics had macropores of 100–600 μm originated from spongy bone, and micropores of 10–160 nm. Fg-HAp ceramics loaded with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2/fg-HAp) were implanted into the subcutaneous tissue of rats. Eight weeks after the implantation, the surface and bulk degradations of the fg-HAp-containing body fluid occured, and small pieces of fg-HAp were incorporated into the induced bone and fatty marrow, suggesting that osteoinduction occurred in conjunction with bone remodeling. The rhBMP-2/fg-HAp ceramics developed could become a resorbable biomimetic material with fast bioresorption and osteoinduction characteristics.     

Optimizing the design of large-scale ground-coupled heat pump systems using groundwater and heat transport modeling

In order to predict the long-term performance of large-scale ground-coupled heat pump (GCHP) systems, it is necessary to take into consideration well-to-well interference, especially in the presence of groundwater flow. A mass and heat transport model was developed to simulate the behavior of this type of system in the Akita Plain, northern Japan. The model was used to investigate different operational schemes and to maximize the heat extraction rate from the GCHP system.     

Physiological role of Ca2+-permeable nonselective cation channel in endothelin-1-induced contraction of rabbit aorta

The alpha-amylase of Streptomyces sp. IMD 2679 was subject to catabolite repression. Four different growth rates were achieved when the organism was grown at 40 degrees C and 55 degrees C in the presence and absence of cobalt, with an inverse relationship between alpha-amylase production and growth rate. Highest alpha-amylase yields (520 units/ml) were obtained at the lowest growth rate (0.062 h-1), at 40 degrees C in the absence of cobalt, while at the highest growth rate (0.35 h-1), at 55 degrees C in the presence of cobalt, alpha-amylase production was decreased to 150 units/ml. As growth rate increased, the rate of specific utilisation of the carbon source maltose also increased, from 46 to 123 micrograms maltose (mg biomass)-1 h-1. The pattern and levels of alpha-glucosidase (the enzyme degrading maltose) detected intracellularly in each case, indicate that growth rate effectively controls the rate of feeding of glucose to the cell, and thus catabolite repression.     

Structure and properties of 6061 + 26 mass% Si aluminum alloy produced via coupled rapid solidification and KOBO-extrusion of powder

Experiments on mechanical consolidation of rapidly solidified (RS) powder of 6061 + 26 mass% Si alloy were performed using the oscillating-die extrusion method. The RS powder was wrapped in thin-wall 6061-alloy cup 35 mm in diameter and vacuum-compressed by means of 100 ton press. Bars 8 mm in diameter were extruded with cross-section reduction of λ = 19 without any preheating of the charge. Tubes with a diameter/wall thickness of 14 mm/1 mm and cross-section reduction of λ = 33 were also manufactured with success. TEM/STEM observations revealed a very fine structure of as-extruded material and bimodal distribution of quasi-spherical silicon particles. Statistical analysis revealed a silicon fine fraction of 0.1–0.7 μm and a coarse fraction 2.1–2.5 μm in diameter. Examination by means of TEM did not reveal any significant changes in the morphology of the silicon particles, even when a high extrusion ratio and the material annealing after deformation were used. Hot compression tests on as-extruded rods (λ = 19) and preliminary annealed samples were performed at a constant true strain rate of 5 × 10^?3 s^?1 within the temperature range of 293–823 K. High strength of the material and relatively high ductility of samples deformed by compression up to ?_t ? 0.4 were observed. The maximum flow stress value for as-extruded material was reduced with deformation temperature from ～390 to ～3.5 MPa for 293 and 823 K, respectively. Annealing of the samples at 773 K/30 min was found to reduce the maximum flow stress by 30–40%. Tensile strengths of similar as-cast alloys and materials manufactured by means of other powder metallurgy methods were shown for the purpose of comparison.     

An adaptive approach to family intervention: Linking engagement in family-centered intervention to reductions in adolescent problem behavior.

This study used Complier Average Causal Effect analysis (CACE; see G. Imbens & D. Rubin, 1997) to examine the impact of an adaptive approach to family intervention in the public schools on rates of substance use and antisocial behavior among students ages 11-17. Students were randomly assigned to a family-centered intervention (N = 998) in 6th grade and offered a multilevel intervention that included (a) a universal classroom-based intervention, (b) the Family Check-Up (selected; T. J. Dishion & K. Kavanagh, 2003), and (c) family management treatment (indicated). All services were voluntary, and approximately 25% of the families engaged in the selected and indicated levels. Participation in the Family Check-Up was predicted by 6th-grade teacher ratings of risk, youth reports of family conflict, and the absence of biological fathers from the youths' primary home. Relative to randomized matched controls, adolescents whose parents engaged in the Family Check-Up exhibited less growth in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use and problem behavior during ages 11 through 17, along with decreased risk for substance use diagnoses and police records of arrests by age 18. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Negative Pore Air Pressure Generation in Backfill of Retaining Walls During Earthquakes and its Effect on Seismic Earth Pressure

In order to investigate the seismic behavior of conventional type and geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining walls, 1-g model shaking tests were conducted. Model walls having a height of about 50 cm were placed on a subsoil layer and backfilled with a layer of dense dry Toyoura sand. They were subjected to several steps of horizontal irregular excitations. As a result, generation of negative pore air pressure in the backfill was observed. The maximum amplitude of the negative pore air pressure during each shaking step increased with the base acceleration. Based on analyses of the measured data, it was inferred that such negative pore air pressure was caused by outward wall displacement relative to the backfill and not by dilative behavior of the backfill. It would cause a reduction in the seismic earth pressures exerted from the backfill. This feature suggests an advantage of a rigid full-height facing for reinforced soil walls over the segmental types of facing. A simplified numerical procedure to evaluate earth pressure was applied while considering the effects of the negative pore air pressure, and it could qualitatively simulate the measured behavior in terms of the seismic earth pressure and the angle of failure plane in the backfill.     

砂土地基地震液化沉降的两种简易计算方法的对比分析

利用两种简易方法对日本某核电站的砂性土地基在地震液化后的大变形沉降进行了计算和对比分析。这两种简易的实用方法只需要利用标准贯入试验数据就可以操作。计算结果表明,该核电站的砂性土地基在L2级地震作用下会发生较大的地面沉降,并可能对地下管线造成损坏。由于两种方法的计算原理相同,因此计算所得到的地基分层沉降趋势基本一致,但是在数值上存在着较大的差异,这主要是由于两种方法建立的基础试验数据不同以及具体计算方法上存在着差异所造成的。