"Restrain" Over Critical Thinking Involving Geoscience

自然にはたらきかけ，自然を改変しながら進化的適応をはたしてきた人間やその営みを理解するためには，はたらきかけの対象である自然環境の理解が欠かせない。自然環境の理解は，人間やその営みの限界（ポジティブな表現では到達点）や矛盾を照らし出すはたらきをもっている。地球惑星科学の探究者はしばしば，その最先端にいてそれら限界や矛盾にいちはやく気づける。社会の代表者として探究をしている科学研究者ならではの役割は，市民社会の構成員であるほかの主権者（市民）と探究の目的や成果の共有を図ることにある。しかし，地球惑星科学によって得られる知見や批判的思考力はしばしば「抑制」され，活用されず，学問が軽視あるいはねじ曲げられる状況が放置され，自然災害や原発震災の原因となってきた。「御用学者」問題発生に通ずる科学リテラシーや批判的思考力の「抑制」とその克服の道筋を，認知科学的な「共感」と理性のはたらかせ方のメタ認知から始まる人の「倫理」の視点から考察する。To deal with nature and understand people that have been altering the nature to continue evolutionary adaptation, as well as their efforts, it is necessary to comprehend the target of their action, the natural environment. The comprehension of the natural environment can demonstrate the limits of the people and their efforts (positively speaking, the goals), and contradictions. Many times, geoscientists are on the top of these efforts. They can see quickly the limits and contradictions. The role of scientists, who conduct studies as representatives of the society, is to share with other organizers (citizens) that compose civil society. However, the critical thinking and knowledge proceeding from Geoscience are often "restrained" and not adopted. The situation in which studies are disregarded or distorted has continued for so long. These factors have been the main causes of natural catastrophes and nuclear plant disasters.The science literacy that leads to the so called "scholars beholden to the government", "restrain" of critical thinking and a way to overcome these issues will be analyzed based on "empathy" featured in cognitive science and "ethical" perspective that derives from metacognitive ability to deal with rationality.予稿と発表資料を訂正，口頭で説明した内容を補足したもの日本地球惑星科学連合2016年大会, 日程：2016年5月22日(日)～5月26日(木), 会場：幕張メッ

Effect of loading weight on bond durability of composite-type resin cement under cyclic impact test (part 2). Loading with light weight of 100-120 g.

The bond durability of composite-type resin cement was evaluated by means of cyclic impact tests using three different loads. In terms of experimental setup, a casting alloy, 12% Au-Pd-Ag, was used as the adherend and bonded to a cast block using a composite-type cement (Bistite II). A shear load--using plungers of three different weights at 100, 110, and 120 g--was dropped from a 3-mm height onto a small piece of the casting alloy until debonding. The cycle numbers that caused debonding were 1756 +/- 680 x 10(4) times for 100 g, 1403 +/- 515 x 10(4) times for 110 g, and 420 +/- 200 x 10(4) times for 120 g, respectively. Therefore, the group loaded with 120 g showed a significantly lower value as compared to the other two groups. On the fracture mode of the cement, it was a bulk fracture regardless of the loading weight employed in this study--the same result obtained in a previous study where heavier weights were employed

Longevity-associated NADH Dehydrogenase Subunit-2 237 Leu/Met Polymorphism Modulates the Effects of Daily Alcohol Drinking on Yearly Changes in Serum Total and LDL Cholesterol in Japanese Men

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) dehydrogenase subunit 2 237 leucine/methionine (ND2-237 Leu/Met) polymorphism, is reportedly associated with longevity in the Japanese population. The ND2-237Met genotype may exert resistance to atherogenic diseases, such as myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular disorders. To investigate whether ND2-237 Leu/Met polymorphism is associated with yearly changes in serum lipid levels, we conducted a longitudinal study of 107 healthy Japanese male subjects. Analysis of covariance revealed that the interaction between the ND2-237 Leu/Met genotypes and habitual drinking was significantly associated with yearly changes in serum total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels (p0.036 and p0.006, respectively). In multiple regression analysis, daily drinking was significantly and positively associated with yearly changes in serum LDLC levels in men with ND2-237Met (p0.026). After adjusting for covariates, yearly changes in serum LDLC levels were significantly lower in non-daily drinkers with ND2-237Met than in those with ND2-237Leu (p0.047). These results suggest that ND2-237Met has a beneficial impact on yearly changes in serum LDLC in non-daily drinkers but not in daily drinkers.</p

Renaturation of the mature subtilisin BPN' immobilized on agarose beads

AbstractWe report here another example of renaturation of subtilisin BPN′(Sbtl) by using an immobilized preparation instead of applying a digestible mutant of Streptomyces subtilisin inhibitor (SSI), a proteinaceous inhibitor of Sbtl [M. Matsubara et al. (1994) FEBS Letters 342, 193–196]. The mature Sbtl was immobilized on agarose beads employing the amino group of the protein. After thorough washing, the immobilized Sbtl was subjected to denaturation in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) at pH 2.4 for 4 h, followed by renaturation in 2 M potassium acetate at pH 6.5 for 24 h. This denaturation/renaturation cycle was repeated five times. The recovered activity of the renatured immobilized Sbtl settled at a constant level after the third denaturation/renaturation cycle, demonstrating that almost 100% renaturation was attained by use of the immobilized Sbtl. This immobilized Sbtl preparation could well be utilized for the mechanistic study of protein folding. We then found that 2 M potassium acetate was superior to 2 M potassium chloride as a refolding medium and that the ability of SSI to induce the correct shape of the mature Sbtl was lacking in several refolding media in both thermodynamic and kinetic criteria. Thus the main cause for the increase of refolding yield of Sbtl by coexistence of SSI was prevention of the autolysis of Sbtl

Intrapulmonary lymph nodes: thin-section CT findings, pathological findings, and CT differential diagnosis from pulmonary metastatic nodules.

We compared the thin-section CT findings of 11 intrapulmonary lymph nodes with pathological findings and evaluated the possibility of CT scan differential diagnosis from pulmonary metastatic nodules. First, we retrospectively reviewed CT scan and pathological findings of intrapulmonary lymph nodes. The median size of these nodules was 6.2 mm. The nodules appeared round (n=3) or angular (n=8) in shape with a sharp border, and they were found below the level of the carina. The median distance from the nearest pleural surface was 4.6 mm, and 3 of the 11 nodules were attached to the pleura. On thin-section CT scan, linear densities extending from the intrapulmonary lymph nodes were frequently visualized, and were pathologically proven to be ectatic lymphoid channels. We then compared the thin-section CT findings of 8 metastatic nodules less than 1 cm in diameter with those of the 11 intrapulmonary lymph nodes. The median size of these nodules was 6.8 mm, and the median distance from the nearest pleural surface was 16 mm. All nodules appeared round in shape. None of the nodules had linear densities extending from the nodules. The linear densities on thin-section CT scan may be the most useful characteristic of intrapulmonary lymph nodes, when differential diagnosis from metastatic nodules is necessary.</p

DME-Fired Water-Tube Boiler - A R&D Study

Increasing attention has been given to the development of low-NOx combustion technology for DME (Dimethyl Ether). The present paper describes the R&D study for water-tube boiler carried out in Kansai University and Hirakawa Guidam Co., Ltd. under the support of DME project from METI. The major problem in DME use is the difficulty in the application of premixed flame due to its low ignition temperature and rather high burning velocity. However, the previously developed tube-nested combustor, i.e. water-tubes installed in the empty furnace, becomes effective means together with the flue-gas recirculation to overcome such difficulty in achieving low-NOx combustion. This paper begins with a brief review of the R&D study of the tube-nested combustor specifically designed for city gas. Then the further development for DME-fired water-tube boiler is described