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Si3N4 ceramic specimens were ground under different conditions with high-speed (wheel speed: 55m/s) and speed-stroke (table speed: 45-90m/min). The grindability was evaluated by grinding force, specific grinding energy and grinding ratio in comparison with conventional surface grinding. The strength degradation and surface roughness of ground workpieces were examined. The main results are summarized as follows. (1) This grinding conditions showed lower normal grinding force and specific grinding energy in a higher stock removal rate. And, the strength degradation and the surface roughness were not changed significantly even by increasing stock removal rate. (2) The lower normal grinding force and specific grinding energy were caused by a lower mean value of the maximum grain depth of cut. (3) This grinding conditions showed lower specific grinding energy in increasing stock removal and higher grinding ratio.

An HPC cloud, a flexible and robust cloud computing service specially dedicated to high performance computing, is a promising future e-Science platform. In cloud computing, virtualization is widely used to achieve flexibility and security. Virtualization makes migration or checkpoint/restart of computing elements (virtual machines) easy, and such features are useful for realizing fault tolerance and server consolidations. However, in widely used virtualization schemes, I/O devices are also virtualized, and thus I/O performance is severely degraded. To cope with this problem, VMM-bypass I/O technologies, including PCI passthrough and SR-IOV, in which the I/O overhead can be significantly reduced, have been introduced. However, such VMM-bypass I/O technologies make it impossible to migrate or checkpoint/restart virtual machines, since virtual machines are directly attached to hardware devices. This paper proposes a novel and practical mechanism, called Symbiotic Virtualization (SymVirt), for enabling migration and checkpoint/restart on a virtualized cluster with VMM-bypass I/O devices, without the virtualization overhead during normal operations. SymVirt allows a VMM to cooperate with a message passing layer on the guest OS, then it realizes VM-level migration and checkpoint/restart by using a combination of a PCI hotplug and coordination of distributed VMMs. We have implemented the proposed mechanism on top of QEMU/KVM and the Open MPI system. All PCI devices, including Infiniband and Myrinet, are supported without implementing specific para-virtualized drivers; and it is not necessary to modify either of the MPI runtime and applications. Using the proposed mechanism, we demonstrate reactive and proactive FT mechanisms on a virtualized Infiniband cluster. We have confirmed the effectiveness using both a memory intensive micro benchmark and the NAS parallel benchmark. Moreover, we also show that postcopy live migration enables us to reduce the down time of an application as the memory footprint increases.

We present the case of a 67-year-old woman with scleroderma who had progressive necrosis of the finger together with severe pain 20 years after harvesting of a radial forearm flap. After reconstruction of the radial artery the ulceration of her right middle finger healed spontaneously within a month, and the pain disappeared.

If a stable and reliable venous island flap can be elevated, it may enable us to make various flaps everywhere on the body surface by using subcutaneous veins. We have carried out an experimental study to investigate the possibility of increasing the survival area of a venous island flap by a delay procedure. In a proximally based venous island flap, survival area increased when a delay procedure was used, especially with ligation of the distal vein. In a distally based venous island flap, survival area increased when a delay procedure was used without ligation of the proximal vein.

An x‐ray‐diffraction technique for nondestructively determining the depth‐dependent fraction of a phase in the surface layer of a polycrystalline solid is presented using the data at low angles of incidence above the critical angle for the total reflection of x rays. The fraction, which is expressed as a polynomial in depth, is given by solving the equation of the kinematic diffracted intensity under the ratios of diffracted intensities from the phase to the bulk measured with multiple angles of incidence. The method utilizes the fact that at a lower angle of incidence the diffracted intensity from a deep layer attenuates more steeply and also the degree of the attenuation largely varies depending upon the angle of incidence. An application of the method to ground plates of yttria‐doped tetragonal zirconia polycrystals revealed that the fraction of monoclinic phase induced by the machining was maximum (∼0.2) near the surface and decreased gradually in the deeper layer up to a few microns.

We give some conditions for closed images of spaces with a point-countable k -network to have a point-countable k -network, and their applications.

The binding sites, other than the estrogen receptor (ER), of the antiestrogens droloxifene (DROL, (E)-a-[p-[2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy]-phenyl]-a'-ethyl-3-stilbenol) and tamoxifen (TAM), and estradiol-17 beta (E2) in the cytosol of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced rat mammary ER-positive tumor cells were studied using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gel filtration assay. The cytosol was incubated with 3H-labeled drug with or without unlabeled drug, and separated by HPLC gel filtration. 3H-E2 produced two major peaks of radioactivity at fractions No. 40 and No. 70. The peak at fraction No. 70 was identified as the ER in an ER-enzyme-immuno assay. This peak was dose-dependently inhibited by unlabeled DROL or TAM, DROL being a more potent inhibitor than TAM. The peak at fraction No. 40 was also inhibited by co-incubation with unlabeled DROL or TAM. 3H-DROL or 3H-TAM provided only one peak at fraction No. 43. This peak was thought to be an antiestrogen binding site (AEBS), because it was inhibited by unlabeled antiestrogen but not by E2. The results suggest that the antiestrogens DROL and TAM have a higher affinity for the AEBS than for the ER in the absence of E2, while in the presence of E2 both have an affinity for the ER and inhibit E2 binding to the ER.

In this paper, we propose a vision-based navigation system for autonomous mobile robots which recognizes air conditioning devices (anemo) located on the ceiling as landmarks. Because landmarks on the ceiling are not obstructed by other objects, robots can find them easier than landmarks on the floor. In the recognition process, gathering quadrangles in the image are regarded as anemo, then the gravity center and the slope of quadrangles are calculated. Then the navigation system can calculate the distance and the angle of the anemo from map information. As a result, the navigation system can identify the present robot's position and orientation. In the proposed algorithm, if the landmark is not observed completely, the landmark is inferred from partial information. In experiments, we compared the error made by a robot which is navigated by our system with the error made by a robot which moves by dead-reckoning.

The present study was undertaken to know whether the formation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) is increased by quick stretch, a dynamic mechanical stimulus in porcine coronary artery in order to inquiry the possibility that IP 3 could mediate Ca 2+ release in the stretch-induced contraction. Quick stretching of a helical strip of porcine coronary artery at a rate of 10 cm/sec, the amount of stretch equivalent to 140% of the initial muscle length (= 100%), and the stimulus period of 30 sec with 20-min intervals, produced delayed contraction. Quick stretching increased the content of IP 3 about three-fold over the control basal level, which always preceded the contraction. A putative phospholipase C inhibitor, 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-N, N-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC), abolished the increase in the formation of IP 3 and partially inhibited the stretch-induced contraction. The results suggest that quick stretching increases the formation of IP 3 through a possible mechanism for activation of phospholipase C, which may lead to release of Ca 2+ into myoplasm and to further activation of the contractile elements.

Recently, the demand for moving robots working at construction sites is increasing, and research activities are in progress. Unlike industrial robots working in factories, construction robots must meet more functional requirements because they must handle a variety of complicated jobs at construction sites. The robots must also be able to locate themselves. This requires a technique that enables the robot to measure coordinates indicating its position. This paper describes a new method to enable robots working at large building sites to precisely locate themselves and describes the principle of this system and experimental results.

Si3N4 ceramics were surface-ground under different conditions, and the grindability was evaluated by specific grinding energy and stock removal rate. Statistical analysis was conducted on the specific grinding energy and stock removal rate with respect to the maximum grain depth of cut by a new method of directly evaluation successive cutting point spacing. Main results are summarized as follows; (1) The specific grinding energy decreases with increasing stock removal rate. This result shows that the fraction of brittle fracture of Si3N4 increases with increase in the stock removal rate. (2) By a new method for determining successive cutting point spacing, a difference in distribution of cutting edges between resinoid-bonded and metal-bonded wheels with the same grain size and concentration was evaluated. Furthermore, the maximum grain depth of cut of each wheel was represented by statistical analysis. (3) Decrease in the specific grinding energy was caused by the increase in statistical mean value of the maximum grain depth of cut. The stock removal of Si3N4 including brittle fracture was observed even at its level less than 1μm.

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), R1 and M5, were established against the second-generation schizont of Leucocytozoon caulleryi (L. caulleryi). Both antibodies reacted to membrane and internal structure proteins of the second-generation schizont by immunofluorescence microscopy. Molecular weight of the second-generation schizont (2GS) antigen was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blotting. At least 40 protein bands were detected in 2GS antigen by SDS-PAGE under reduced condition and ranged from 10 to 270 kDa. MAb R1 reacted to polypeptides of 150-268 kDa in 2GS antigen, whereas MAb M5 did with that of 66 kDa. Injection with a protein of 2GS antigen fractionated by affinity chromatography using MAbs R1 and M5 protected chickens against challenge with sporozoites of L. caulleryi. These results suggest that MAbs, R1 and M5, recognize 2GS antigen of L caulleryi.

In terms of General Topology, we consider ordered additive groups having the order topology, including ordered fields. Namely, we investigate metrizability of these groups or fields, and topological properties of ordered fields in terms of Archimedes' axiom or the axiom of continuity. Also, we give a negative answer to a question in [9]. Finally, we revise the proof of [2, Theorem 2.6], and give some related results.

Intercloud is a promising technology for data intensive applications. However, an important issue for Intercloud applications is orchestration of various virtualized and performance-assured resources, not only computers, but also network and storage, provided from multiple domains. We have been developing an advance reservation-based resource management framework, called Grid ARS, which can integrate heterogeneous resources and construct a performance-assured virtual infrastructure over Intercloud environment. Grid ARS provides four services that address resource management, resource allocation planning, provisioning and monitoring of the constructed virtual infrastructure. Grid ARS has been developed using common Web services technologies and standards. In this paper, we present overview of Grid ARS and its service components and describe Grid ARS demonstration challenges, demonstration at GLIF2010 and SC10 and OGF NSI interoperation in 2011.

Review Some unconscious patients are found to be in primary respiratory arrest (PRA) by emergency medical technicians (EMTs). In contrast to citizens, EMTs manage PRA with artificial ventilation but not with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and outcomes of PRA prior to EMT arrival and compare these data with those of a PRA-related group: patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). Methods Baseline data were prospectively collected by fire departments for their adult (16 years or older) OHCA and PRA patients from April 2003 through March 2010. We extracted those who had PRA prior to EMT arrival. The EMT- and bystander-witnessed OHCA patients who underwent CPR were also extracted as control groups. Results There were 178 cases of PRA prior to EMT arrival. The majority (164/178) of these individuals were in a deep coma and met the criteria for the initiation of bystander CPR. Approximately 61% (108/178) of these PRAs were followed by cardiac arrests, which were classified as EMT-witnessed OHCAs by the Utstein template. The EMTs manually ventilated the patients until the cardiac arrest occurred. The 1-Y survival of this subgroup was the lowest of the PRA and PRA-related OHCA subgroups and was significantly lower than that of bystander-witnessed OHCAs with bystander CPR, when trauma and terminal illness cases were excluded (adjusted odds ratio = 3.888 (1.103–24.827)). Conclusions We identified a subgroup of PRAs with unexpectedly poor outcomes. The BLS guidelines for healthcare providers including EMTs should be re-evaluated by a large prospective study.

The interval of call to arrival is one of the major factors associated with good outcomes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs). The FAST system helps emergency vehicles reach a scene quickly by controlling the traffic signals. The aim of study is to investigate whether the FAST system may improve the outcomes of OHCAs by decreasing the response time.

We examined the effect of NIP-142, a benzopyran compound with terminating effect on experimental atrial arrhythmia, on the KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel, which underlies the slow component of the cardiac delayed rectifier potassium channel (I(Ks)). NIP-142, as well as chromanol 293B, showed concentration-dependent blockade of the current expressed in HEK293 cells; the EC(50) value of NIP-142 and chromanol 293B for the inhibition of tail current was 13.2 µM and 4.9 µM, respectively. These results indicate that NIP-142 has blocking effect on the KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel current.

A cover C of a topological space X is point-countable (point-finite) if every point of X belongs to at most countably many (at most finitely many) elements of C . We say that a space X has the weak topology with respect to a cover C provided that a set F ⊆ X is closed in X if and only if its intersection F ∩ C with every C ϵ C is closed in C . A space X is an α 4 -space if for every point x ϵ X and any countable family { S n : n ϵ N } of sequences converging to x one can find a sequence S converging to x which meets infinitely many S n . The classical Birkhoff-Kakutani theorem says that a Hausdorff topological group is metrizable if (and only if) it is first countable. Quite recently Arhangel'skii generalized this theorem by showing that Hausdorff bisequential topological groups are metrizable (recall that first countable spaces are bisequential). In our paper we generalize these results by showing that a Hausdorff topological group is metrizable if it has the weak topology with respect to a point-finite cover consisting of bisequential spaces. In addition we establish the following theorem each item of which also generalizes both Birkhoff-Kakutani's and Archangel'skii's results

Two cases using composite auricular free flaps, based on the superficial temporal vessels, in the reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the nose and ear are reported. This composite free flap can be based on either the superficial temporal or the posterior auricular vessels depending on the defect to be reconstructed. The superficial temporal vessels can also be used in reversed flow to obtain a vascular pedicle of sufficient length for microvascular anastomosis. The anatomical vascular features of the flap make it possible to reconstruct various facial defects with freedom of design.

Two kinds of water-soluble polymers having ferrocenyl groups were prepared by the reactions of ferrocenoyl chloride with a homopolymer and a copolymer of l -lysine. The polymers acted as electron mediators between electrodes and the reduced form of glucose oxidase. Amperometric glucose-sensing electrodes were constructed by the simultaneous immobilization of each polymeric mediator and glucose oxidase near the surface of a glassy carbon electrode with a semipermeable membrane. The sensing-electrode using the ferrocene-attached l -lysine homopolymer was usable for the determination of glucose concentrations up to 6 mM.

Dimethylaluminum chloride-mediated ene reactions of aldehydes with (Z)-3β-acetoxy-5,17(20)-pregnadiene (3) at low temperatures followed by acetylation of the resulting alcohols have been shown to produce stereoselectively 22-acetoxylated steroid derivatives in good to excellent yields. Interestingly, the stereochemical outcome of these ene reactions has been found to be dependent upon the size of the aldehyde employed; the less sterically demanding aldehydes such as 4-methylpentanal and cyclohexanecarboxaldehyde afford the (20α,22α)-22-acetoxy products (4a) stereoselectively, whereas the relatively congested aldehydes such as benzaldehyde and other aromatic aldehydes produce predominantly the (20α,22α)-22-acetates (4b)

The clinical pharmacokinetics of disopyramide (DP) were studied after single oral adminis tration of 200, 300 or 350 mg to healthy subjects and patients suffering from arrhythmia. The mean peak concentration of DP in serum (Cmax) was 3.98μg/ml, observed at a mean of 1.65h (tmax) after oral administration of 300 mg in the healthy subjects, and was 2.96μg/ml at 2.65h in the patients. The elimination rate constant (kel) and oral clearance (Cl/F) in the patients were significantly lower than those in the healthy subjects (0.144h-1 vs. 0.099h-1 for kel (p

Digoxigenin-dUTP-labeled DNA probe was prepared from a cDNA clone complementary to the gene encoding S1 region of the spike protein of infectious bronchitis coronavirus (IBV) strain M41. The probe exclusively reacted with four strains at 56 degrees C which were grouped to the same serotype as the strain used for the probe. In contrast, at 68 degrees C, the probe reacted only with the homologous strain and did not react even with the strains belonging to the same serotype. The dot-blot hybridization thus appeared serotype-specific at 56 degrees C and strain-specific at 68 degrees C. In addition, it was revealed that the S1 gene has some nucleotide sequence variation even among strains in the same serotype. This technique should be applied to determining serotypes of the virus isolates and to differentiating field isolates from the vaccine strain.

In the development of a strictly dynamic computer simulation for cranes with a spherical pendulum such as a rotary crane, it is necessary to derive the complex equations of motion. This paper presents a new approach of the mathematical model that is expressed using the open-loop linkage model. To simulate the crane's load swing efficiently, a new simulation method based on both this model and the recursive Newton-Euler formulation developed for the robots is also proposed. This method is applied to the reduced scale truck crane which can carry out four kinds of motion (i.e., rotation, boom hoisting, boom extending-shrinking and load hoisting) simultaneously. A further advantage of using this model is that many results developed for robots can be applied to developing the intelligent crane.

125I-rhIGF-I was administered subcutaneously to rats at the dose of 1 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days. After seventh subcut aneous administration of 125I-rhIGF-I, the plasma levels of total and trichloroacetic acid (TCA)precipitable radioactivity declined more slowly than those after a single administration. However, it might be caused by an endogenous proteins which had incorporated a free 125I and low molecular weight fragments of 125I-rhIGF-I and the plasma levels of rhIGF-I itself were thought not to be changed after repeated administration. Except the thyroid, the permeability of rhIGF-I to tissues did not change, and no accumulation of 125I-rhIGF-I in any particular tissue was observed after repeated administration. During repeat ed administration, the excretion of radioactivity in urine and feces was almost similar to that after a single administration, and 80% and 9 % of the administered dose was excreted within 168 hours after the last dosing to urine and feces, respectively. Most of radioactivity in t he urine consisted of free 125I which indicates that 125I-rhIGF-I was well metabolized. Thus, it appears that 125I-rhIGF-I does not accumulate in tissue.

There have been few reports in the literature concerning the long-term prognosis of fibrous dysplasia. We reported here a boy with craniofacial fibrous dysplasia, which showed marked involution at the end of his puberty.

The pressure and flow produced by circulating blood as well as contractions of the heart and blood vessels act as biomechanical stimuli on the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular response to the hemodynamic stimuli is a type of physical reception and a subsequent reaction, and thus touches the core of up-to-date problems, including cellular signaling and the interaction between the blood and endothelium and/or medial smooth muscles. Pathophysiological conditions such as vasospasm, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia and myocardial hypertrophy, and atherosclerosis, are also caused by abnormal biomechanical stimuli. The present article summarizes the papers presented at the congress symposium of the 66th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Pharmacological Society, in which the present status and the future prospects of current research fields such as shear stress and endothelial function, regulation of blood pressure and flow, myogenic tone, mechanosensitive ion channels, and clinical implications of high and low shear stress and hemodynamic overload were actively discussed. These studies will surely open the way to an era for the development of new drugs, and improvements in the knowledge about the hemodynamic mechanisms in health and disease.

The vascular system is receptive to both chemical and physical factors, and these factors elicit subsequent cellular responses such as contraction and relaxation. Quick stretch applied to cerebral and

Although pure phosphoric acid is generally known to be mild to austenitic stainless steel, it is corrosive to austenitic stainless steel in some cases. This paper shows the corrosion behavior of stainless steel (mainly 316L) in a low concentration (about 1% H3PO4) phosphoric acid solution at high temperature (about 200°C), and a high concentration (about 33% P2O5) phosphoric acid solution at low temperature (about 70°C).The polarization tests of stainless steels were carried out mainly in 220°C 1% H3PO4 solution with or without dissoluted oxygen. The corrosion rate decreased when Cr or Ni contents in the test specimens increased, but even Hastelloy C-22, Ni-based alloy, did not passivate by itself. Dissoluted oxygen also reduced the corrosion rate of 316L, but no self-passivation occurred.The corrosion behavior of 316L stainless steel in the solution of a phosphoric acid plant was also tested. This solution contained phosphoric acid (33% P2O5), surfuric acid (1.5%), plaster (25%), fluorine ion (2.5%) and so on. It was found that corrosion in the plaster slurry settled from the solution was severer than that in the mixed acid solution without slurry, and the quantity of fluorine ions was higher in the slurry. Thus, it is suggested that CaF2 in the plaster increases the amount of fluoric ions and accelerates corrosion. It is also suggested that ferric ions prevent 316L from corrosion in this environment.

High-pressure injection injury to the hand often results in loss of tissue and hand function. The successful reconstruction of a hand following high-pressure injection injury is reported. A free neurovascular flap was transferred from the first web space of the foot to cover a skin defect in the first web space area of the hand. The digital nerves of the thumb and index finger were repaired using sural nerve grafts.

The transfer of 125I-rhIGF-I to the fetus or into the milk after a single subcutaneous administration was investigated in pregnant rats on 12th and 18th day of gestation and in lactating rats. The level of radioactivity in the fetus on the 18th day of gestation was higher than that on the 12th day of gestation, but was at least six times lower than that in maternal plasma. The level of radioactivity in fetal tissues disappeared parallelling the maternal plasma except that in thyroid gland, which might be due to free 125I. Most of radioactive substances of high molecular weight, which were found in the milk of lactating rats, might be on endogenous proteins which had in corporated a free iodine, otherwise the permeability of rhIGF-I into milk was thought to be low.

The receptor type mediating the positive inotropic effect of histamine was examined in left atria from neonatal guinea pigs. The positive inotropic effect of histamine, as well as its action potential prolonging effect, was antagonized by ranitidine, but not by chlorpheniramine or thiperamide. The positive inotropic effect was enhanced by isobutylmethylxantine. Receptor binding studies revealed the presence of both H₁ and H₂ receptor types. These results suggest that the positive inotropic effect of histamine in the neonatal guinea-pig atrium is mediated by H₂ receptors.

Large conductance voltage- and calcium-activated potassium channels (MaxiK, BK Ca ) are well known for sustaining cerebral and coronary arterial tone and for their linkage to vasodilator β-adrenergic receptors. However, how MaxiK channels are linked to counterbalancing vasoconstrictor receptors is unknown. Here, we show that vasopressive thromboxane A2 receptors (TP) can intimately couple with and inhibit MaxiK channels. Activation of the receptor with its agonist trans -inhibits MaxiK independently of G-protein activation. This unconventional mechanism is supported by independent lines of evidence: ( i ) inhibition of MaxiK current by thromboxane A2 mimetic, U46619, occurs even when G-protein activity is suppressed; ( ii ) MaxiK and TP physically associate and display a high degree of proximity; and ( iii ) Förster resonance energy transfer occurs between fluorescently labeled MaxiK and TP, supporting a direct interaction. The molecular mechanism of MaxiK–TP intimate interaction involves the receptor's first intracellular loop and C terminus, and it entails the voltage-sensing conduction cassette of MaxiK channel. Further, physiological evidence of MaxiK–TP physical interaction is given in human coronaries and rat aorta, and by confirming TP role (with antagonist SQ29,548) in the U46619-induced MaxiK inhibition in human coronaries. We propose that vasoconstrictor TP receptor and MaxiK-channel direct interaction facilitates G-protein–independent TP to MaxiK trans -inhibition, which would promote vasoconstriction.

Performance assurance has become an important aspect in grid and cloud computing which provide services over the Internet, and Service Level Agreements (SLA) are frequently contracted between users and the service providers. However, the I/O performance of the storage or data access service is still provided on a best effort basis. Some distributed storage systems implement performance reservation, but the reservation is implemented inside of the storage and works in an adaptive manner. In order to promise performance guarantees to users, we propose a distributed storage system allowing application users to explicitly make an advanced and time-based reservation for I/O access and storage space. Thus the requested performance is guaranteed during the reserved time. This paper describes our proposed concept and the design architecture of the storage system, including the reservation interface, resource management and I/O control frameworks. Then it explains our prototype which implements a simple resource allocation strategy and I/O control of the storage network along the design. The experiment results using the prototype are also shown. They indicate that the reservation cost entailed only a low performance impact on users, and that the requested performance was achieved by the reservation feature.

A 42-year-old Japanese woman, who resided in Indonesia suffered from watery diarrhea. As soon as she returned to Japan, she had a medical examination at our hospital. Oocysts of Cyclospora cayetanensis were isolated from her stool on the 14th day. Treatment with 1.6g/day sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim combination for 1 week was effective. Cyclosporiasis is a of newly-emerging infection and causes group infection or traveler's diarrhea. Cyclosporiasis should be suspected in patients with diarrhea who have returned from the endemic areas to Japan.

Remotely sensed satellite data can provide spatial and temporal coverage for global environmental monitoring. Calibration and validation are very important for more accurate satellite products and can contribute to the detection of climate changes on earth. Calibration and validation of satellite products normally use both ground-based and satellite-based data, which have geospatial metainformation and various data policies. Our proposal adopts both the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards and the virtual organization (VO) concept to develop a calibration and validation system for satellite products. In this research, we construct the Field Observation Network (FON) VO, which provides an interoperable system for various ground-based and satellite-based data by using the OGC standards Sensor Observation Service (SOS). FON VO also makes it possible to protect data policies. Ground-based and satellite-based atmospheric and ground physical parameters are the focus of this study.

Dynamic micro-bead arrays offer great flexibility and potential as sensing tools in various scientific fields. Here we present a software-oriented approach for fully automated assembly of versatile dynamic micro-bead arrays using multi-beam optical tweezers combined with intelligent control techniques. Four typical examples, including the collision-free sorting of array elements by bead features, are demonstrated in real time. Control algorithms and experimental apparatus for these demonstrations are also described.

Effects of NIP-142, a benzopyran compound which terminates experimental atrial arrhythmia, on potassium channel alpha-subunits and mouse atrial repolarization were examined. NIP-142 concentration-dependently blocked the outward current through potassium channel alpha subunits Kv1.5, Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In isolated mouse atrial myocardia, NIP-142 prolonged the action potential duration and effective refractory period, and increased the contractile force. These results suggest that NIP-142 blocks the potassium channels underlying the transient and sustained outward currents, which may contribute to its antiarrhythmic activity.

For vibration suppressing control of flexible rotary cranes, two control methods by the use of a tip position sensor have been proposed. One is a control system that suppresses transient vibrations generated by the impact of switching of driving speeds when Bang-Bang control, open-loop anti-swing control, is completed. The other is a servo system to which vibration suppressing feedback is added. Experiments have confirmed that either system is remarkably effective in suppressing vibration.

Residual stress of ground ceramics is presently being evaluated in relation to the type and magnitude of material removal made by abrasive grains. In the present study, grinding of structural ceramics (Al2O3, SiC, Si3N4, and ZrO2) was carried out under conventional conditions, and the data connected closely with the material removal, such as grinding force, specific energy, surface roughness, and residual stress, were obtained. The main results were as follows:(1) Plastic deformation causing the compressive residual stress was mainly generated by the burnishing action of grains. The effect of burnishing diminished with an increase in the magnitude of fracture during the material removal; the compressive residual stress was larger in the ceramics with higher bending strength but smaller in those with higher hardness under conventional grinding conditions, because fracture during the material removal is less in the former and more in the latter.(2) The depth of the compressive residual stress can be estimated from the plastic deformation zone obtained by the sphere indentation which gives an analogous effect to the burnishing action of grains. The depth may be calculated by (0.6-0.8)r1/3RzY2/3(E/H)2/5; r=average radius of grains, RzY=ten point average height of the ground surface in the direction perpendicular to the grinding direction, E=Young's modulus, H=Vickers hardness.

Two types of sliding contact between a hard indenter and a brittle material were presently adopted: one is a conventional type and the other a grinding type. A fraction of heat flowing into the material in the grinding type was theoretically shown to be described by a function of a Peclet number and to be almost the same as that in the conventional type under the normal grinding conditions.The critical indenter radius, Rc, which distinguishes the occurence of plastic deformation from the elastic cracking as the first damaging event in the material, was analyzed under the mechanical/thermal load conditions.Increase in Rc with an increase in sliding speed V was very high in Al2O3 because of low thermal diffusivity κ, high thermal conductivity K and high thermal constant M=αE/{π(1+ν)ρC} (where, α: coefficient of expansion, E: Young's modulus, ν: Poisson's ratio, ρ: density, C: specific heat). While a similar relation between Rc and V was also found in Si3N4, the increase in Rc with an increase in V was small in glass and SiC because of low K and high κ, respectively.