El Japón y su inserción en el sistema internacional

La comunidad internacional actual se encuentra por cierto en medio de históricas transformaciones. Se desmoronó la estructura mundial basada en la Guerra Fría y se hacen esfuerzos serios por construir un nuevo orden internacional en base al diálogo y la cooperación. Se ha derrumbado el comunismo de la Unión Soviética y se observa la proliferación mundial de los valores de la libertad y la democracia, así como de la economía de mercado. Sin embargo, la comunidad internacional entraña la inestabilidad y la incertidumbre, con el peligro de agudizarse los conflictos entre los Estados o los pueblos. Entre los hechos de profundas transformaciones recientemente acaecidos, la guerra del golfo en particular, ha marcado un gran giro en la diplomacia japonesa. Por lo tanto, el propósito de mi conferencia es en esta oportunidad, ofrecerles algunos datos como referencia acerca de las lecciones que la guerra del Golfo ha dejado para el pueblo japonés, de la evolución de la diplomacia japonesa, de los cambios en las circunstancias internacionales y en el interior del Japón, y finalmente de los esfuerzos del pueblo japonés para buscar su identidad en la comunidad internacional.Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (IRI

El Japón y su inserción en el sistema internacional

La comunidad internacional actual se encuentra por cierto en medio de históricas transformaciones. Se desmoronó la estructura mundial basada en la Guerra Fría y se hacen esfuerzos serios por construir un nuevo orden internacional en base al diálogo y la cooperación. Se ha derrumbado el comunismo de la Unión Soviética y se observa la proliferación mundial de los valores de la libertad y la democracia, así como de la economía de mercado. Sin embargo, la comunidad internacional entraña la inestabilidad y la incertidumbre, con el peligro de agudizarse los conflictos entre los Estados o los pueblos. Entre los hechos de profundas transformaciones recientemente acaecidos, la guerra del golfo en particular, ha marcado un gran giro en la diplomacia japonesa. Por lo tanto, el propósito de mi conferencia es en esta oportunidad, ofrecerles algunos datos como referencia acerca de las lecciones que la guerra del Golfo ha dejado para el pueblo japonés, de la evolución de la diplomacia japonesa, de los cambios en las circunstancias internacionales y en el interior del Japón, y finalmente de los esfuerzos del pueblo japonés para buscar su identidad en la comunidad internacional.Instituto de Relaciones Internacionales (IRI

Influence of microstructural variations on morphology and separation properties of polybutadiene-based polyurethanes

Polybutadiene-based polyurethanes with different cis/trans/1, 2-vinyl microstructure contents are synthesized. The phase morphology and physical properties of the polymers are investigated using spectroscopic analysis (FTIR and Raman), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray scattering (WAXD and SAXS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). In addition, their gas transport properties are determined for different gases at 4 bar and 25 °C. Thermodynamic incompatibility and steric hindrance of pendant groups are the dominant factors affecting the morphology and properties of the PUs. FTIR spectra, DSC, and SAXS analysis reveal a higher extent of phase mixing in high vinyl-content PUs. Moreover, the SAXS analysis and AFM phase images indicate smaller microdomains by increasing the vinyl content. Smaller permeable soft domains as well as the lower phase separation of the PUs with higher vinyl content create more tortuous pathways for gas molecules and deteriorate the gas permeability of the membranes

Graphene oxide-fullerene nanocomposite laminates for efficient hydrogen purification

Graphene oxide (GO) with its unique two-dimensional structure offers an emerging platform for designing advanced gas separation membranes that allow for highly selective transport of hydrogen molecules. Nevertheless, further tuning of the interlayer spacing of GO laminates and its effect on membrane separation efficiency remains to be explored. Here, positively charged fullerene C₆₀ derivatives are electrostatically bonded to the surface of GO sheets in order to manipulate the interlayer spacing between GO nanolaminates. The as-prepared GO-C₆₀ membranes have a high H₂ permeance of 3370 GPU (gas permeance units) and an H₂/CO₂ selectivity of 59. The gas separation selectivity is almost twice that of flat GO membranes because of the role of fullerene

Optical observations of NEA 3200 Phaethon (1983 TB) during the 2017 apparition

The near-Earth asteroid 3200 Phaethon (1983 TB) is an attractive object not only from a scientific viewpoint but also because of JAXA's DESTINY+ target. The rotational lightcurve and spin properties were investigated based on the data obtained in the ground-based observation campaign of Phaethon. We aim to refine the lightcurves and shape model of Phaethon using all available lightcurve datasets obtained via optical observation, as well as our time-series observation data from the 2017 apparition. Using eight 1-2-m telescopes and an optical imager, we acquired the optical lightcurves and derived the spin parameters of Phaethon. We applied the lightcurve inversion method and SAGE algorithm to deduce the convex and non-convex shape model and pole orientations. We analysed the optical lightcurve of Phaethon and derived a synodic and a sidereal rotational period of 3.6039 h, with an axis ratio of a/b = 1.07. The ecliptic longitude (lambda) and latitude (beta) of the pole orientation were determined as (308, -52) and (322, -40) via two independent methods. A non-convex model from the SAGE method, which exhibits a concavity feature, is also presented.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, 1 figure in Appendix A. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A

A pristine record of outer Solar System materials from asteroid Ryugu’s returned sample

Volatile and organic-rich C-type asteroids may have been one of the main sources of Earth’s water. Our best insight into their chemistry is currently provided by carbonaceous chondritic meteorites, but the meteorite record is biased: only the strongest types survive atmospheric entry and are then modified by interaction with the terrestrial environment. Here we present the results of a detailed bulk and microanalytical study of pristine Ryugu particles, brought to Earth by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. Ryugu particles display a close compositional match with the chemically unfractionated, but aqueously altered, CI (Ivuna-type) chondrites, which are widely used as a proxy for the bulk Solar System composition. The sample shows an intricate spatial relationship between aliphatic-rich organics and phyllosilicates and indicates maximum temperatures of ~30 °C during aqueous alteration. We find that heavy hydrogen and nitrogen abundances are consistent with an outer Solar System origin. Ryugu particles are the most uncontaminated and unfractionated extraterrestrial materials studied so far, and provide the best available match to the bulk Solar System composition

Comment on Hojoki

La India ha jugado un papel importante a través de la historia en el concierto de las naciones. Hoy tiene la democracia más grande del mundo. Es una vibrante, multiétnica y pluralista potencia emergente que sirve de modelo a otros dada su singular y exitosa experiencia democrática y su admirable trayectoria de crecimiento econó[email protected]

Effect of Residents’ Involvement with Small Hydropower Projects on Environmental Awareness

Small hydropower plants utilizing unharnessed energy in existing irrigation systems are a prominent source of renewable energy. In Japan, land improvement districts play a key role in the management of irrigation systems, but face serious problems in terms of management sustainability and require participation from non-farmers. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of residents’ involvement in small hydropower projects on their environmental awareness and understanding of the projects’ multifunctional regional value. We administered a questionnaire survey to 238 households in three areas: Itoshiro, Kashimo and Ibigawa. The respondents were categorized into four groups: participation, recognition, knowledge and control. Based on the degree of respondents’ involvement in small hydropower projects, inclusive relationships between their involvement and awareness were revealed. These relationships suggest that the trigger of resident involvement is a key factor in developing sustainable small hydro facilities within existing irrigation systems