Computational Method of Rapidly Propagating Cracks Using Continuous Dislocations Model

AbstractThe method of continuously distributed dislocations model is applied to the problem of rapidly propagating cracks. Weertman's solution of a running edge dislocation considering the effect of inertia (1961) has been utilized. A semi-infinite length crack running in a strip with clamped sides was analyzed. The singular integral equations representing the boundary condition of this problem were solved numerically by the newly proposed method based on the boundary collocation. The stress intensity factor was calculated and it has been made clear that precise solutions can be obtained even when the number of the collocation points is small. The crack opening displacement was also calculated and a startling result has been obtained. In the neighborhood of the crack tip, the crack opening displacement exceeds the applied displacement between both sides of the strip

Japanese Criminal Justice: A Comparative Legal History Perspective

The Carlos Ghosn case has focused the world’s attention on Japan’s criminal justice system. In particular, the system has been subject to intense criticism, condemning its reliance on confessions in investigation, and for proof of guilt. The investigative approach of using physical restraints on suspects and defendants to coerce confessions is critically referred to as “hostage justice”. While the Japanese Ministry of Justice and the Public Prosecutor’s Office have responded to such criticisms by arguing for the uniqueness of the legal system, the problematic nature of this aspect of Japanese criminal justice cannot be denied, as noted by past false convictions and other evidence. The aim of this study is to examine why there are such features from a comparative legal history perspective. Although there have been various examinations of these characteristics of Japanese criminal justice, there has been little mention of its history. When compared to the German history of the abolition of torture, and the move away from reliance on confessions in the German criminal justice system, the historical factor in Japan becomes clear. When torture was abolished in Germany, people looked for alternative means of proof, and, after many twists and turns, arrived at the principle of free evaluation of evidence. Japan saw no such struggle, however, and there is little consideration of alternative means of proof to confessions. These are the key findings of this study. In conclusion, “torture” in a sense has not yet been abolished in Japan

Guided Lock of a Suspended Optical Cavity Enhanced by a Higher Order Extrapolation

Lock acquisition of a suspended optical cavity can be a highly stochastic process and is therefore nontrivial. Guided lock is a method to make lock acquisition less stochastic by decelerating the motion of the cavity length based on an extrapolation of the motion from an instantaneous velocity measurement. We propose an improved scheme which is less susceptible to seismic disturbances by incorporating the acceleration as a higher order correction in the extrapolation. We implemented the new scheme in a 300-m suspended Fabry-Perot cavity and improved the success rate of lock acquisition by a factor of 30

Effect of Hyperprolactinemia Induced by Prolactinoma (MtT/F84) on the Accessory Sexual Organs of Male Rat

A new transplantable prolactinoma, designated MtT/F84 has been serially passaged in female F344 rats. Persistently high levels of serum prolactin could be achieved in male F344 rats by MtT/F84 inoculating under the skin. This investigation deals with the effects of hyperprolactinemia upon the accessory sexual organs of male rats during puberty. The weights and the concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the dorsal prostate increased significantly in rats with moderate hyperprolactinemia (756 ± 179 ng/ml), but they in rats with marked hyperprolactinemia (3612 ± 1089 ng/ml) were similar t.o those of control rats. In contrast, serum testosterone levels (0.52 ± 0/17 ng/ml) in those of hyperprolactinemic rats were significantly decreased compared to that of controls (1.11± 0.13 ng/ml). These results suggested that the growth-promoting effect of prolactin on the rat prostate mediated through the action of androgen varied according to the degree of hyperprolactinemia

On the iron Kalpha complex in magnetic cataclysmic variables

We present a compilation of spectra of the iron Kalpha region in magnetic cataclysmic variables, using data from the Chandra-HETG. The H-like, He-like and fluorescent components are clearly resolved, and there are hints of the structure within each component. The different shape of the He-like component in AM Her might be related to greater cyclotron cooling in this star. A surprising absence of Doppler shifts in the H-like and He-like components implies that the X-ray emission is predominantly from the denser, lower-velocity base of the accretion columns. This absence will allow ASTRO-E2 to resolve the structure in each component, leading to temperature diagnostics. We do not confirm the report that the H-like and He-like components of AO Psc are Compton broadened; however we do detect a Compton-downshifted shoulder to the fluorescent line of GK Per. Further, a Doppler-shifted wing of this line arises in the high-velocity, pre-shock flow.Comment: To appear in MNRAS; 5 page