Electric Field Assisted Dip Process of Magnetic Disks for High Recording Density of Hard Disk Drive

高記録密度磁気ディスクに極薄膜液体潤滑幕を塗布する方法として電界印加ディップ塗布方法を開発した。この方法は、低濃度のパーフルオロポリエーテル（PEPE)潤滑剤溶液中に磁気ディスクを浸漬（ディップ）しながら磁気ディスクに電場を印加することで、塗布される潤滑膜の吸着状態を電場によりコントロールする方法である。この電界印加ディップ塗布方法を用いることで、潤滑膜の薄膜化、磁気ヘッドを浮上させたときの磁気ディスクとの間のすき間（クリアランス）の増加が確認された。これらの結果から、磁気ディスクの浮上量を現状より低減でき、ハードディスクドライブの高記録密度化、大容量化のために有効な方法であることを確認した

Optimal Design for Recurrent Architecture Network Harmonized with Circulation-type Societies by Applying Genetic Algorithms to Multiagent Model

In this paper, a circulation-type society is expressed by recurrent architecture network described with multi-agent model which consists of the following agents: user, builder, reuse maker, fabricator, waste disposer, material maker and earth bank (see Fig.1). Structural members, materials, resources and monies move among these agents. Each agent has its own rules and aims, regarding structural damages, lifetime, cost reduction, numbers of structural members and structural systems. Reasonable prices of members (fresh, reused, recycled and disposed) can be optimized by GAs in this system considering equal distribution of monies among agents

A Dark Target Algorithm for the GOSAT TANSO-CAI Sensor in Aerosol Optical Depth Retrieval over Land

Cloud and Aerosol Imager (CAI) onboard the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) is a multi-band sensor designed to observe and acquire information on clouds and aerosols. In order to retrieve aerosol optical depth (AOD) over land from the CAI sensor, a Dark Target (DT) algorithm for GOSAT CAI was developed based on the strategy of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) DT algorithm. When retrieving AOD from satellite platforms, determining surface contributions is a major challenge. In the MODIS DT algorithm, surface signals in the visible wavelengths are estimated based on the relationships between visible channels and shortwave infrared (SWIR) near the 2.1 µm channel. However, the CAI only has a 1.6 µm band to cover the SWIR wavelengths. To resolve the difficulties in determining surface reflectance caused by the lack of 2.1 μm band data, we attempted to analyze the relationship between reflectance at 1.6 µm and at 2.1 µm. We did this using the MODIS surface reflectance product and then connecting the reflectances at 1.6 µm and the visible bands based on the empirical relationship between reflectances at 2.1 µm and the visible bands. We found that the reflectance relationship between 1.6 µm and 2.1 µm is typically dependent on the vegetation conditions, and that reflectances at 2.1 µm can be parameterized as a function of 1.6 µm reflectance and the Vegetation Index (VI). Based on our experimental results, an Aerosol Free Vegetation Index (AFRI2.1)-based regression function connecting the 1.6 µm and 2.1 µm bands was summarized. Under light aerosol loading (AOD at 0.55 µm < 0.1), the 2.1 µm reflectance derived by our method has an extremely high correlation with the true 2.1 µm reflectance (r-value = 0.928). Similar to the MODIS DT algorithms (Collection 5 and Collection 6), a CAI-applicable approach that uses AFRI2.1 and the scattering angle to account for the visible surface signals was proposed. It was then applied to the CAI sensor for AOD retrieval; the retrievals were validated by comparisons with ground-level measurements from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) sites. Validations show that retrievals from the CAI have high agreement with the AERONET measurements, with an r-value of 0.922, and 69.2% of the AOD retrieved data falling within the expected error envelope of ± (0.1 + 15% AODAERONET)

The Incidence and Prognostic Value of Hypochloremia in Critically Ill Patients

Little is known on the clinical effects of chloride on critically ill patients. We conducted this retrospective, observational study in 488 critically ill patients to investigate the incidence of chloride abnormalities, effects of hypochloremia in acid-base disorders, and association between chloride and clinical outcome. The study involved retrieval of arterial blood gas analyses, biochemical and demographical data from electrical records as well as quantitative acid-base analyses. For statistical analysis, the patients were stratified into three groups according to their chloride level (normal range: 98–106 mEq/L). The distribution of chloride levels was hyperchloremia 16.6%, normochloremia 74.6%, and hypochloremia 8.8%. The hypochloremic group was significantly alkalemic (P < 0.0001) and has significantly higher apparent strong ion difference (SIDa) (P < 0.0001) compared to the two other groups. The hypochloremic group had significantly longer stays in the ICU and hospital (P < 0.0001) with higher mortality (P < 0.0001). However, multiple regression analysis showed that chloride was not an independent factor of poorer outcome. In conclusion, the acid-base characteristics of the hypochloremic patients were alkalemia coexisting with higher SIDa. And although it was not an independent prognostic factor, hypochloremia was related to poorer outcome in critically ill settings

Model for the Architecture of Claudin-Based Paracellular Ion Channels through Tight Junctions

AbstractClaudins are main cell–cell adhesion molecules of tight junctions (TJs) between cells in epithelial sheets that form tight barriers that separate the apical from the basolateral space but also contain paracellular channels that regulate the flow of ions and solutes in between these intercellular spaces. Recently, the first crystal structure of a claudin was determined, that of claudin-15, which indicated the parts of the large extracellular domains that likely form the pore-lining surfaces of the paracellular channels. However, the crystal structure did not show how claudin molecules are arranged in the cell membrane to form the backbone of TJ strands and to mediate interactions between adjacent cells, information that is essential to understand how the paracellular channels in TJs function. Here, we propose that TJ strands consist of claudin protomers that assemble into antiparallel double rows. This model is based on cysteine crosslinking experiments that show claudin-15 to dimerize face to face through interactions between the edges of the extracellular β-sheets. Strands observed by freeze-fracture electron microscopy of TJs also show that their width is consistent with the dimensions of a claudin dimer. Furthermore, we propose that extracellular variable regions are responsible for head-to-head interactions of TJ strands in adjoining cells, thus resulting in the formation of paracellular channels. Our model of the TJ architecture provides a basis to discuss structural mechanisms underlying the selective ion permeability and barrier properties of TJs

Determination of the genetic structure of remnant Morus boninensis Koidz. trees to establish a conservation program on the Bonin Islands, Japan

BACKGROUND: Morus boninensis, is an endemic plant of the Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands of Japan and is categorized as "critically endangered" in the Japanese red data book. However, little information is available about its ecological, evolutionary and genetic status, despite the urgent need for guidelines for the conservation of the species. Therefore, we adopted Moritz's MU concept, based on the species' current genetic structure, to define management units and to select mother tree candidates for seed orchards. RESULTS: Nearly all individuals of the species were genotyped on the basis of seven microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity levels in putative natural populations were higher than in putative man-made populations with the exception of those on Otouto-jima Island. This is because a limited number of maternal trees are likely to have been used for seed collection to establish the man-made populations. A model-based clustering analysis clearly distinguished individuals into nine clusters, with a large difference in genetic composition between the population on Otouto-jima Island, the putative natural populations and the putative man-made populations. The Otouto-jima population appeared to be genetically differentiated from the others; a finding that was also supported by pairwise F(ST )and R(ST )analysis. Although multiple clusters were detected in the putative man-made populations, the pattern of genetic diversity was monotonous in comparison to the natural populations. CONCLUSION: The genotyping by microsatellite markers revealed strong genetic structures. Typically, artificial propagation of this species has ignored the genetic structure, relying only on seeds from Otouto-jima for replanting on other islands, because of a problem with inter-specific hybridization on Chichi-jima and Haha-jima Islands. However, this study demonstrates that we should be taking into consideration the genetic structure of the species when designing a propagation program for the conservation of this species