A combined multibody and finite element approach for dynamic interaction analysis of high-speed train and railway structure including post-derailment behavior during an earthquake

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tanabe, M; Wakui, H; Sogabe, M; Matsumoto, N; Tanabe, Y

2010-01-01

A combined multibody and finite element approach is given to solve the dynamic interaction of a Shinkansen train (high-speed train in Japan) and the railway structure including post-derailment during an earthquake effectively. The motion of the train is expressed in multibody dynamics. Efficient mechanical models to express interactions between wheel and track structure including post-derailment are given. Rail and track elements expressed in multibody dynamics and FEM are given to solve contact problems between wheel and long railway components effectively. The motion of a railway structure is modeled with various finite elements and rail and track elements. The computer program has been developed for the dynamic interaction analysis of a Shinkansen train and railway structure including post derailment during an earthquake. Numerical examples are demonstrated.

Technical comparison of communication equipment of high speed railways between Japan and Europe. Tsushin setsubi ni okeru Nichio no gijutsu hikaku (kosoku tetsudo)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sasaki, S [Railway Technology Research Institute, Tokyo (Japan)

1994-04-12

This paper compares and explains pieces of communication equipment in high-speed railways in Japan and Europe. The Shinkansen railways in Japan adopted a train wireless communication of the LCX system in 400-MHz band (partly a spatial wave system) that is used for orders, business operations, and public telephone lines, as well as data communications. Almost all of the European countries use the UIC system train wireless communication (the UIC Standard specifies the operation methods, criteria for communication quality assurance, frequency allocation plans, wireless line control systems, and control signals). This paper summarizes the systems adopted in Japan and Europe by the following items: order telephones, data communications, on-board public telephone service, measures against tunnel interference, track-side transmission cabling facilities, and seat reservation systems. The paper indicates that the communication facilities in the Shinkansen railways are distinguished from those for the conventional railway services to meet the requirement of high-speed and large-number conveyance, while the communication facilities in the European high-speed railways are interchangeable with those for the conventional railway lines. 7 figs., 1 tab.

Spatial distribution of cold-season lightning frequency in the coastal areas of the Sea of Japan

Science.gov (United States)

Tsurushima, Daiki; Sakaida, Kiyotaka; Honma, Noriyasu

2017-12-01

The coastal areas of the Sea of Japan are a well-known hotspot of winter lightning activity. This study distinguishes between three common types of winter lightning in that region (types A-C), based on their frequency distributions and the meteorological conditions under which they occur. Type A lightning occurs with high frequency in the Tohoku district. It is mainly caused by cold fronts that accompany cyclones passing north of the Japanese islands. Type B, which occurs most frequently in the coastal areas of the Hokuriku district, is mainly caused by topographically induced wind convergence and convective instability, both of which are associated with cyclones having multiple centers. Type C's lightning frequency distribution pattern is similar to that of type B, but its principal cause is a topographically induced wind convergence generated by cold air advection from the Siberian continent. Type A is most frequently observed from October to November, while types B and C tend to appear from November to January, consistent with seasonal changes in lightning frequency distribution in Japan's Tohoku and Hokuriku districts.

High-speed railways in Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kyotani, Y.

1974-01-01

This paper reviews the development of conventional railways in Japan, leading up to the Shinkansen line, which at present runs at speeds up to 210km/h, and will in the future be speeded up to 260km/h. It then goes on to review the development of a superconductive, magnetically levitated train, which will constitute the next generation of railways, running at speeds of up to 500km/h. (author)

格差と信頼

OpenAIRE

与謝野, 有紀; 林, 直保子

2010-01-01

This paper studies the relationship between the differences and trust in Japanese society at both the macro and micro levels. The macro-level analysis examines the strong negative correlation between the Robin Hood Index and trust by dividing regions into prefectures，including major cities such as Tohoku，Kanto，Koshin，and Hokuriku for calculation. The micro-level analysis examines the simultaneous existence of a process in which disparity awareness directly lowers trust and another in which di...

Outline of Noto Nuclear Power Station, Hokuriku Electric Power Co., Inc

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1988-01-01

The location of the power station is in Shiga-cho, Hakui-gun, Ishikawa-ken. One BWR of about 1,600 MWt (540 MWe) capacity is installed. The area of the site is about 1.6 million m 2 , which is on the gentle slope of hilly land at the elevation of about 50 m, and faces Japan Sea. The nuclear reactor proper is installed at the position about 400 m eastward from the coastline. The height of the exhaust stack is about 100 m above the ground. The shortest distance from the center of the reactor core to the boundary of the site is about 450 m in the direction of south and southwest. The objective of use in commercial electric power generation. The start of operation is scheduled in March, 1993. The total cost of construction is about 235 billion yen, which is equivalent to about 435,000 yen-kW. The fuel assemblies are 8 x 8 type, the fuel material is uranium dioxide sintered pellets, and the average degree of enrichment of the initially charged fuel is about 1.6 wt.% in type 1, 2.4 wt.% in type 2 and 3.0 wt.% in type 3 (about 2.3 wt.% on the average). The highest burnup of fuel assemblies is 40,000 MWd-t. The total amount of fuel charged in the core is about 64 t of uranium. The main steam temperature at the reactor exit is 286 deg C, and the feedwater pressure at the reactor entrance is 72 kg-cm 2 g. The steam turbine is a tandem four-flow exhaust condensing turbine of 540 MW output. (Kako, I.)

Survey on depth distribution of underground structures for consideration of human intrusion into TRU waste repository

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Sakamoto, Yoshiaki; Senoo, Muneaki; Sugimoto, Junichiro; Ohishi, Kiyotaka; Okishio, Masanori; Shimizu, Haruo.

1996-01-01

Depth distributions of some kinds of underground structure in Japan have been investigated to get an information about suitable depth of underground repository for TRU waste that is arising from reprocessing and MOX fuel fabrication plants. The underground structures investigated in this work were foundation pile of multistoried building, that of elevated expressway, that of JR shinkansen railway, tunnel of subway and wells. The major depth distribution of the underground structures except for the wells was in range from 30 to 50m, and their maximum depth was less than 100m. On the other hand, the 99% of wells was less than 300m in depth. Maximum depth of the other underground structures has been also investigated for a survey of the utilization of underground by artificial structures in Japan. (author)

Experimental Investigation of Aerodynamic Noise Generated by a Train-Car Gap

Science.gov (United States)

Mizushima, Fumio; Takakura, Hiroyuki; Kurita, Takeshi; Kato, Chisachi; Iida, Akiyoshi

To investigate the mechanism of noise generation by a train-car gap, which is one of a major source of noise in Shinkansen trains, experiments were carried out in a wind tunnel using a 1/5-scale model train. We measured velocity profiles of the boundary layer that approaches the gap and confirmed that the boundary layer is turbulent. We also measured the power spectrum of noise and surface pressure fluctuations around the train-car gap. Peak noise and broadband noise were observed. It is found that strong peak noise is generated when the vortex shedding frequency corresponds to the acoustic resonance frequency determined by the geometrical shape of the gap, and that broadband noise is generated at the downstream edge of the gap where vortexes collide. It is estimated that the convection velocity of the vortices in the gap is approximately 45% of the uniform flow velocity.

Fiscal 1996 research report on the PV power generation field test project for public facilities. Evaluation and analysis of collected data for every site (1/2); 1996 nendo kokyo shisetsu nadoyo taiyoko hatsuden field test jigyo ni okeru shushu data hyoka kaiseki. Kaku site betsu (1/2)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-07-01

As a part of the PV power generation field test project, this report summarizes the monthly collected data for every site in fiscal 1996. The test sites include various public facilities such as park, school, university, museum, Shinkansen platform, laboratory, technical center, training building, local governmental hotel, health athletic center, community center, joint purchase center, consumers' cooperative (CO-OP), school meals provision center, prefectural office building, police station garage, water purification plant, general disaster prevention center, and health center. Collected data items are as follows: total solar irradiation (kWh/m{sup 2}), average air temperature, array power, system power, load power, power system supply load, reverse power flow, self supply load (kWh for every item), system disinterconnection time (min), system operation time (min), equivalent array/system operation time, array/system performance ratio, system use factor, system generation efficiency, effective inverter efficiency, and inverter load factor. (NEDO)

Fiscal 1998 research report on development, study and evaluation of tribo-materials; 1998 nendo tribo material no kaihatsu chosa hyoka hokokusho

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-03-01

Recently, needs for tribo-materials are on the increase for further energy saving and improvement of various functions and durability in various field such as less-fuel consumption car, new type Shinkansen, linear motor car, high-speed motor boat, various machines and tools, electronics, medical equipment and vitally adaptable material. This project researches and studies various properties required for tribo- materials for surface treated materials by ceramic and other material films, and clarifies the guidance and direction of the technology for creating tribo-materials by surface treatment and surface modification, through clarifying a friction/abrasion mechanism by collection of basic characteristic data and analysis of abrasion powders. This project is studying the marginal condition of film destruction for ceramic system vapor-phase deposited films, through studying the effect of mechanical properties of substrates, film surface treatment methods and film surface shapes on the marginal condition. (NEDO)

FY 1998 evaluation/analysis by site of the data collected in the field test project for photovoltaic power generation for public facilities. 4/4; 1998 nendo kokyo shisetsu nadoyo taiyoko hatsuden field test jigyo ni okeru shushu data hyoka kaiseki kaku site betsu. 4/4

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-07-01

The data items are horizontal insolation intensity, inclined insolation intensity, effective inclined insolation intensity (each unit: kWh/m{sup 2}), average temperature, array power energy, system power energy, system consumption power, load power energy, system supply load, and back flow power energy (each unit: kWh). Besides, the number of interconnected protective movement, disconnection hour (minute), system operating hour (minute), independent operating load, independent supply load (each unit: kWh), equivalent array operating hour, equivalent system operating hour, array/system output coefficient, system utilization rate/power generation rate, INV effective efficiency, and INV load factor. The objects of field tests are government office (joint office building, etc.), school (college, high school, elementary school, etc.), the Shinkansen Kyoto Station, health/welfare facilities (health facilities for the elderly, welfare center, etc.), hospital, industrial experimental station, training facilities (exhibition training facilities, etc.), broadcasting facilities, etc. (NEDO)

Completion of latest ABWR 'SHIKA Unit 2' construction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yamazaki, Tatsuhiro; Yoshimoto, Yuichiro

2007-01-01

The Shika Nuclear Power Station Unit No.2 of the Hokuriku Electric Power Company, Inc. is the first Advanced BWR unit built in Japan by a single contractor and it is among the largest nuclear power stations in Japan. Its construction started in August 1999 when the first construction permit was issued. The design and construction of the plant was carried out with utmost care for betterment of operational safety, reliability and economy. The construction advanced on schedule and the plant entered its commercial operation in March 2006 as planned. Hitachi, Ltd. supplied the entire plant from design, fabrication and construction including the reactor and steam turbine generation system. In the design and construction of the plant, the most advanced technology has been applied in order to match the civil construction process and aim to supply safest, reliable and economical power plant. (author)

Outline of construction planning on No. 2 Reactor of the Shika Nuclear Power Plant

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nakagawa, Tetsuro; Kadoki, Shuichi; Kubo, Tetsuji

1999-01-01

The Hokuriku Electric Co., Ltd. carries out the expansion of the Shika Nuclear Power Plant No.2 (ABWR) to start its in March 2006. It is situated in north neighboring side of No. 1 reactor under operation at present, and its main buildings are planned to position a reactor building at mountain side and a turbine building at sea side as well as those in the No. 1 reactor. And, cooling water for steam condenser was taken in from an intake opening built at north side of the lifting space situated at the front of the power plant, and discharged into seawater from a flashing opening positioned about 600 m offing. Here were described on outline of main civil engineering such as base excavation engineering, concrete caisson production, oceanic establishment engineering, and facility for steam condenser, and characteristics of the engineering. (G.K.)

Fiscal 1999 research report. Development of ultralow- loss power device technology (Survey on next-generation practical power semiconductor devices); 1999 nendo choteisonshitsu denryoku soshi gijutsu kaihatsu seika hokokusho. Jisedai power handotai device jitsuyoka chosa

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2000-03-01

This research proposes the clear developmental policy and target for 'Development project of ultralow-loss power device technology' through the research on power electronics or advanced power semiconductor devices as key technology of conversion loss reduction for various power applications and power supply systems. Main research issues are as follows. A bidirectional current switch using P-MOS FETs is promising as an ace of power system interconnection control equipment. IEGT as MOS gate high-power device will be substituted for GTO gradually. SiC devices will play the leading part of low- loss power devices for inverters of power converters, power systems of electric vehicles, Shinkansen and maglev railways, power systems of information and communication systems, and DC power systems. Size and cost reduction of low-noise soft switching as application technology of power devices are possible by using active circuits. Development of high- efficiency low-noise compact inexpensive inverters is an important issue. Countermeasures against various losses of inverters are also described. (NEDO)

Fabrication of Superconducting Traction Transformer for Railway Rolling Stock

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kamijo, H; Hata, H; Fujimoto, H; Inoue, A; Nagashima, K; Ikeda, K; Yamada, H; Sanuki, Y; Tomioka, A; Uwamori, K; Yoshida, S; Iwakuma, M; Funaki, K

2006-01-01

We designed a floor type single-phase 4 MVA superconducting traction transformer for Shinkansen rolling stock. In this study, we fabricated a prototype superconducting traction transformer based on this design. This transformer of the core-type design has a primary winding, four secondary windings and a tertiary winding. The windings are wound by Bi2223 superconducting tapes and cooled by subcooled liquid nitrogen. The core is kept at room temperature. The cryostat is made of GFRP with two holes to pass core legs through. The outer dimensions are about 1.2m x 0.7m x 1.9m excluding the compressor. Its weight is 1.71t excluding that of refrigerator and compressor. The transformer was tested according to Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS)-E5007. We confirmed that the performance of transformer has been achieved almost exactly as planned. The rated capacity is equivalent to 3.5MVA in the superconducting state

Utility of serum periostin in combination with exhaled nitric oxide in the management of asthma

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Tadao Nagasaki

2017-07-01

Full Text Available Type-2/eosinophilic inflammation plays a pivotal role in asthma. The identification of severe type-2/eosinophilic asthma is important for improving the management of patients with asthma. Therefore, efforts to develop non-invasive biomarkers for type-2/eosinophilic airway inflammation have been made during this decade. Currently, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO and serum periostin levels are considered markers of type-2/eosinophilic inflammation in asthma. However, a single-marker approach has limited the ability to diagnose severe type-2/eosinophilic asthma accurately and predict disease outcomes precisely. The present article reviews the utility of FeNO and serum periostin levels in a single-marker approach and in a multiple-marker approach in identifying patients with severe type-2/eosinophilic asthma. Furthermore, based on a sub-analysis of the Kinki Hokuriku Airway disease Conference (KiHAC, geno-endo-phenotypes of patients were stratified into four groups according to the FeNO and serum periostin levels.

Achievement reports on joint research of solar energy power generation field test project in fiscal 1997. Part 3 of 3; 1997 nendo taiyoko hatsuden field test jigyo kyodo kenkyu seika hokokusho 3/3

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

1999-08-01

This report is a collection of 40 achievement reports on joint research of a solar energy power generation field test project. The major contents of the achievement reports relate to the solar energy power generation field test project (summarized as manufacture and installation of solar energy power generation systems, summary of solar energy power generation facilities, status of installation of solar cells, peripheral devices, and daily schedule of the construction). The reports describe achievements of the joint research (names and achievements of the joint research, study presentation, lectures, literatures, status of patents, similar research in and cooperation with other research institutions), generalization of the research, and future problems. Locations of the joint research carried out are hospitals, township hospitals, a science hall for youths, study and educational cities, primary schools, middle schools, high schools, universities, senior health centers, a life cooperative association, retails shops, factories, office buildings, joint governmental office buildings, Shinkansen stations, prefectural industrial testing centers, health and welfare centers, FM broadcasting studios, a town operated hall of technologies, prefectural office buildings and training centers. (NEDO)

[Effect of PMU therapy (CDDP, MMC and UFT) against terminal gastric carcinoma. Hokuriku Cisplatin Round-table Conference].

Science.gov (United States)

Matsuki, N; Sakuma, H; Sawa, T; Yagi, M; Hagino, S; Katayama, K; Note, M; Uogishi, M; Ueno, K; Sawazaki, K

1988-04-01

PMU therapy with 75 mg/m2 of CDDP, 10 mg/body of MMC and 400 mg/day of UFT was performed on 57 patients with terminal gastric carcinoma. The treatment resulted in CR in 2, PR in 9, MR in 1, NC in 16 and PD in 9 of 37 patients with evaluable cases, with a response rate of 30% (11/37 patients). In the 11 responders, the mean disease-free interval was 6.6 months with a median interval of 5 months, and the mean survival period was 9.2 months with a median survival period of 6 months, while in the 46 non-responders, the mean survival period was 6.7 months with a median survival period of 5 months. In all patients, the mean survival period was 7.1 months with a median survival period of 6 months. Adverse reactions to the treatment included gastrointestinal disturbance observed in 77%, nephrotoxicity in 14%, and myelotoxicity in 26% of the patients, but all reactions became normalized during the course of observation. These results have led to the conclusion that PMU therapy may be an effective treatment for terminal gastric carcinoma.

[Effect of PMU hepatic arterial chemotherapy for liver metastases of gastric cancer. Hokuriku Cisplatin Round-table Conference].

Science.gov (United States)

Sakuma, H; Matsuki, N; Katayama, K; Hirosawa, H; Tomita, F; Takano, N; Tanaka, T; Sawa, T; Ueno, K; Uogishi, M

1989-08-01

We performed PMU hepatic arterial chemotherapy (a combination therapy consisting of intra-hepatic arterial infusion of CDDP and MMC, oral administration of UFT) in 20 patients with gastric cancer and liver metastases. In this method, 1-6 courses of one infusion of CDDP at 70-100 mg/body and MMC of 10 mg/body into the proper hepatic artery were administered at intervals of 3-4 weeks. UFT of 300-400 mg/day was orally administered with the infusion. The primary response for hepatic metastatic lesions was observed in one case of CR, 14 cases of PR, 4 cases of NC, and one case of PD. The efficacy for CR and PR was high at 75%. The median disease-free interval was 56 weeks in responders. The 50% survival period was 11.1 months; one-year survival rate, 42.1%; two-year survival rate, 12.3%; the longest survival period was 108 weeks. Mild and transient side effects were recognized in 17 cases (85%): gastrointestinal symptoms, sense of general malaise, fever, leukocytopenia, and elevated BUN. Thus, the results indicated that this combination chemotherapy was effective for liver metastases of gastric cancer.

Hitachi's experience and achievements in ABWR construction

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Inoue, Takashi; Miura, Jun; Murayama, Kouichi

2003-01-01

Hitachi, Ltd. (Hitachi) is taking charge of the turbine island of Chubu Electric Power Company's Hamaoka nuclear power plant Unit No. 5 (Hamaoka 5), and all facilities of Hokuriku Electric Power Company's Shika Nuclear Power Station Unit No. 2 (Shika 2). Hitachi has achieved shorter schedules and lower costs in the two projects with the following construction methods. First, Hitachi applied modularization and the area-by-area method. These methods enable us to undertake building and installation work in parallel. Second, the floor packaging construction method enables us to finish installation in every area earlier than conventional methods. Moreover, manpower can be distributed evenly. This paper reports the application of these advanced construction methods to the Hamaoka 5 and Shika 2 projects. Installations such as RCCV modules and condenser blocks are presented in this paper. In addition, Hitachi is using 3D-CAD engineering and our own construction management system to optimize the planning of construction procedures and the installation of equipment in these projects. Thus Hitachi is always striving to improve the reliability, safety and economy of ABWR construction technologies. (author)

Patent Strategy at the Age of High Technology

Science.gov (United States)

Aoyama, Hirokazu

This paper is a summary of the lecture which the author presented at the 5th Hokuriku Workshop for Study of Scientific and Technological Information Activities on the 17th of January in 1986. The author analyzed the present situation and made some suggestions on them ; (1) the role of patent system has shifted from introduction of foreign technologies to independent technological development at the age of high technology, (2) circumstances of rapidly increasing international patent war, particularly patent conflict between U.S. and Japan concerning U.S. ITC, (3) as the service of soft aspects of economy has been closed up, the new business has come to the fore front, and the move to consider technology as a good has been activated, (4) how patent specification should be written, the way of obtaining and protecting patent successfully, (5) basic pattern of patent strategy and what the strategy should be to respond to the enterprises level, (6) present situation of patent information service, effective use of patent maps and information strategy.

Development of low AC loss windings for superconducting traction transformer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kamijo, H; Hata, H; Fukumoto, Y; Tomioka, A; Bohno, T; Yamada, H; Ayai, N; Yamasaki, K; Kato, T; Iwakuma, M; Funaki, K

2010-01-01

We have been developing a light weight and high efficiency superconducting traction transformer for railway rolling stock. We designed and fabricated a prototype superconducting traction transformer of a floor-mount type for Shinkansen rolling stock in 2004. We performed the type-test, the system-test, and the vibration-test. Consequently, we could verify that the transformer satisfied the requirement almost exactly as initially planned. However, there have been raised some problems to be solved to put superconducting traction transformer into practical use such that AC loss of the superconducting tape must be lower and the capacity of the refrigerator must be larger. Especially it is the most important to reduce the AC loss of superconducting windings for lightweight and high efficiency. The AC loss must be reduced near the theoretical value of superconducting tape with multifilament. In this study, we fabricated and evaluated the Bi2223 tapes as introduced various measures to reduce the AC loss. We confirmed that the AC loss of the narrow type of Bi2223 tapes with twist of filaments is lower, and we fabricated windings of this tape for use in superconducting traction transformer.

Concerning installation of reactor at Noto nuclear power plant of Hokuriku Electric Power Co., Inc. (reply to inquiry)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1988-01-01

In response to an inquiry on the conformity of the title issue to the applicable law concerning nuclear material, nuclear fuel and nuclear reactor, the Nuclear Safety Commission ordered the Nuclear Reactor Safety Expert Group to make a study, made an examination after receiving a report from the Group, and submit the findings to the Minister of International Trade and Industry. The study on the site conditions covered the site location, geology, effects or earthquakes, meteorology, hydrology and social environment. The study on the safety design of the reactor covered the design of the facilities as a whole, anti-earthquake design, reactor, instrumentation, reactor shutdown system, reactivity control, protection, cooling system, reactor vessel, fuel handling, fuel storage, and radiation control. The study also included exposure evaluation, abnormal transient state analysis and accident analysis. It is concluded that the relevant company has a technical capability required for the installation and proper operation of the reactor in question, and that the reactor will have adequate safety with no possibility of causing a disaster. (Nogami, K.)

Small Winter Thunderstorm with Sprites and Strong Positive Discharge

Science.gov (United States)

Suzuki, Tomoyuki; Hayakawa, Masashi; Michimoto, Koichiro

A sprite campaign was conducted in the Hokuriku area of Japan during a winter of 2004/2005. On the basis of a combined analysis of the data from various instruments (CCD cameras, radar, VHF/LF∼MF lightning mapping system, field mill network, and ELF detector), we studied meteorological and electrical structures for winter thunderstorms and sprite-producing positive discharge. Typical winter sprite parent thunderstorms had a meso-scale cloud area with embedded small convective cells. Some small winter thunderstorms accompanied by the most frequent sprite events were found to cause 2∼3 sprite events during a short interval of about 3∼5 min. When the sprites were observed, the extent of the convective cells at 20 dBZ counter was atmost ∼20 × 20 km. The VHF sources associated with sprites were located near south of the convective cell and were mapped within very small areas of at most ∼10 × 10 km. This fact shows that some small winter thunderstorms can generate large positive charge associated with sprites. We will present the analysis of such a small thunderstorms with sprites and positive lightning discharges.

ABWR construction experience in Japan

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Kawahata, Junichi; Miura, Jun; Saito, Fuyuki; Mori, Hiroya

2003-01-01

The construction of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Station Unit No. 6 and 7 (K6 and 7) owned by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), have been in service since November 1996 and September 1997 respectively, and are the first ABWRs in the world. Hitachi, Ltd. and Toshiba Corporation took part in the projects and achieved safety construction in 52- month schedule from rock inspection to turnover in cooperation with TEPCO and other contractors with broad experience in BWRs. Taking advantage of experience of the Kashiwazaki construction, the ABWR construction methods realize to satisfy with requests from electric power companies and to fit site conditions. The Chubu Electric Power Company's Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station Unit No. 5 (Hamaoka 5) and Hokuriku Electric Power Company's Shika Nuclear Power Station Unit No. 2 (Shika 2), which are ABWRs, completed rock inspection in May 2000 and June 2001 respectively, and are under construction. The ABWR construction methods are proved their validity through four actual construction projects. Safe constructions with the highest quality have been advanced thus further aiming at the introduction of the latest technologies and contributing to reduce plant construction costs and also to shorten schedule. (author)

Can spatial autocorrelation method be applied to arbitrary array shape; Kukan jiko sokanho no nin`i array eno tekiyo kanosei

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yamamoto, H; Iwamoto, K; Saito, T; Tachibana, M [Iwate University, Iwate (Japan). Faculty of Engineering

1997-05-27

Methods to learn underground structures by utilizing the dispersion phenomenon of surface waves contained in microtremors include the frequency-wave number analysis method (the F-K method) and the spatial autocorrelation method (the SAC method). Despite the fact that the SAC method is capable of exploring structures at greater depths, the method is not utilized because of its stringent restriction in arrangement of seismometers during observation that they must be arranged evenly on the same circumference. In order to eliminate this restriction in the SAC method, a research group in the Hokuriku University has proposed an expanded spatial autocorrelation (ESAC) method. Using the concept of the ESAC method as its base, a method was realized to improve phase velocity estimation by making a simulation on an array shifted to the radius direction. As a result of the discussion, it was found that the proposed improvement method can be applied to places where waves come from a number of directions, such as urban areas. If the improvement method can be applied, the spatial autocorrelation function needs not be even in the circumferential direction. In other words, the SAC method can be applied to arbitrary arrays. 1 ref., 7 figs.

Report on survey in fiscal 2000 on the survey on succession of history of industrial technologies. Survey edition of originality and creativity of industrial machine technologies in Japan; 2000 nendo sangyo gijutsu rekishi keisho chsao hokokusho. Kokunai sangyo kikai gijutsu no dokusosei to sozosei noc hosahen

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NONE

2001-03-01

In order to clarify the innovation process of industrial technologies in Japan and the originality and creativity seen in the process, the case history has been introduced in relation with the researchers, engineers, and business proprietors having contributed to the innovation, and their work records. With regard to machine tools, detailed introductions were given to 'Toshisuke Takeo' who had the technological concept learned in the United States, and devoted himself in building modern machine tools, an American, 'Willian R. Gorham', who had worked actively in Japan even during the war, 'Hiroshi Hanaoka' who had made a machining center for the first time in Japan, and 'Shinkichi Nagaoka' a developer of the non-circular flat bearing. In the railway area, 'Richard Francis Trevithick' and 'Francis Henry Trevithick' , leaders of the rolling stock manufacturing technologies, 'Yasujiro Shima' who had contributed to building the foundation of the Japan's rolling stock technologies, 'Kiichi Asakura' who had contributed to establishment of the Japan's rolling stock technologies and industry standardization, and 'Hideo Shima' who had borne fruit of systematization of the Japan's railway technologies by building the Shinkansen were introduced in detail. (NEDO)

Analysis of Even Harmonics Generation in an Isolated Electric Power System

Science.gov (United States)

Kanao, Norikazu; Hayashi, Yasuhiro; Matsuki, Junya

Harmonics bred from loads are mainly odd order because the current waveform has half-wave symmetry. Since the even harmonics are negligibly small, those are not generally measured in electric power systems. However, even harmonics were measured at a 500/275/154kV substation in Hokuriku Electric Power Company after removal of a transmission line fault. The even harmonics caused malfunctions of protective digital relays because the relays used 4th harmonics at the input filter as automatic supervisory signal. This paper describes the mechanism of generation of the even harmonics by comparing measured waveforms with ATP-EMTP simulation results. As a result of analysis, it is cleared that even harmonics are generated by three causes. The first cause is a magnetizing current of transformers due to flux deviation by DC component of a fault current. The second one is due to harmonic conversion of a synchronous machine which generates even harmonics when direct current component or even harmonic current flow into the machine. The third one is that increase of harmonic impedance due to an isolated power system produces harmonic voltages. The design of the input filter of protective digital relays should consider even harmonics generation in an isolated power system.

Disinfection effect of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma for foodborne bacteria

Science.gov (United States)

Pervez, Mohammad Rasel; Inomata, Takanori; Ishijima, Tatsuo; Kakikawa, Makiko; Uesugi, Yoshihiko; Tanaka, Yasunori; Yano, Toshihiro; Miwa, Shoji; Noguchi, Akinori

2015-09-01

Non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NAPP) exposure can be a suitable alternative for bacteria inactivation in food processing industry. Specimen placed in the enclosure are exposed to various reactive radicals produced within the discharge chamber. It is also exposed to the periodic variation of the electric field strength in the chamber. Dielectric barrier discharge is produced by high voltage pulse (Vpp = 18 kV, pulse width 20 μs, repetition frequency 10 kHz) in a polypropylene box (volume = 350 cm3) using helium as main feed gas. Inactivation efficiency of NAPP depends on the duration of NAPP exposure, applied voltage pulse strength and type, pulse duration, electrode separation and feed gas composition. In this study we have investigated inactivation of Bacillus lichenformis spore as an example of food borne bacteria. Keeping applied voltage, electrode configuration and total gas flow rate constant, spores are exposed to direct NAPP for different time duration while O2 concentration in the feed gas composition is varied. 10 minutes NAPP exposure resulted in ~ 3 log reduction of Bacillus lichenformis spores for 1% O2concentration (initial concentration ~ 106 / specimen). This work is supported by research and development promotion grant provided by the Hokuriku Industrial Advancement Center.

The computer aided education and training system for accident management

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yoneyama, Mitsuru; Masuda, Takahiro; Kubota, Ryuji; Fujiwara, Tadashi; Sakuma, Hitoshi

2000-01-01

Under severe accident conditions of a nuclear power plant, plant operators and technical support center (TSC) staffs will be under a amount of stress. Therefore, those individuals responsible for managing the plant should promote their understanding about the accident management and operations. Moreover, it is also important to train in ordinary times, so that they can carry out accident management operations effectively on severe accidents. Therefore, the education and training system which works on personal computers was developed by Japanese BWR group (Tokyo Electric Power Co.,Inc., Tohoku Electric Power Co. ,Inc., Chubu Electric Power Co. ,Inc., Hokuriku Electric Power Co.,Inc., Chugoku Electric Power Co.,Inc., Japan Atomic Power Co.,Inc.), and Hitachi, Ltd. The education and training system is composed of two systems. One is computer aided instruction (CAI) education system and the other is education and training system with a computer simulation. Both systems are designed to execute on MS-Windows(R) platform of personal computers. These systems provide plant operators and technical support center staffs with an effective education and training tool for accident management. TEPCO used the simulation system for the emergency exercise assuming the occurrence of hypothetical severe accident, and have performed an effective exercise in March, 2000. (author)

Natural disasters in the Shikoku district. 1. ; Landslide. Shikoku ni okeru shizen saigai. 1. ; Chisuberi

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yatabe, R [Ehime Univ., Ehime (Japan). Faculty of Engineering

1991-09-25

There are more than ten thousand places in Japan which are in danger of landsliding, and they are mostly distributed in Hokuriku and Shikoku districts. Shikoku is a district which suffers many typhoon disasters, and the rate of ground disasters among the typhoon disasters has been getting higher in recent years. Reports are made on the general characteristics and soil mechanical properties of fractured zone landslides, which are the majority of landslides occurred in the Shikoku district. Most of the landslides in the Shikoku district occurred in Sanbagawa zone, south of the central tectonic line, and little landslides occurred in the granite zone in the Inland Sea area. Although rocks in landslided areas are fractured, little progress is observed for clay formation. The scales of the landslides are from several tens of meters to over 1km, with the average of about 20m, in length and from 200 to 300m in width. Although some of them have the depth of more than 50m, the average is about 20m. Descriptions are made on the relationship between the movement of landslide and rainfall, strength constants of cohesive soil in the slid strata, and the variance in the dynamic constants of cohesive soil in the slid strata. 6 refs., 9 figs.

Modern trends in designing high-speed trains

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Golubović Snežana D.

2015-01-01

Full Text Available Increased advantages of railway transportation systems over other types of transportation systems in the past sixty years have been a result of an intensive development of the new generations of high-speed trains. Not only do these types of trains comply with the need for increased speed of transportation and make the duration of the journey shorter, but they also meet the demands for increased reliability, safety and direct application of energy efficiency to the transportation system itself. Along with increased train speed, the motion resistance is increased as well, whereby at speeds over 200 km/h the proportion of air resistance becomes the most dominant member. One of the most efficient measures for reducing air resistance, as well as other negative consequences of high-speed motion, is the development of the aerodynamic shape of the train. This paper presents some construction solutions that affect the aerodynamic properties of high-speed trains, first and foremost, the nose shape, as well as the similarities and differences of individual subsystems necessary for the functioning of modern high-speed rail systems. We analysed two approaches to solving the problem of the aerodynamic shape of the train and the appropriate infrastructure using the examples of Japan and France. Two models of high-speed trains, Shinkansen (Japan and TGV, i.e. AGV (France, have been discussed.

Advance of technological innovations of electric power in 2012

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mayumi, Akihiko; Tanaka, Masanori; Takebe, Toshiro

2013-01-01

Twelve companies in Japan reported on the technological innovations in 2012. The Japan Atomic Power Company mainly studied five projects; (1) control of wall thinning of the secondary system in PWR by injection of molybdic acid, (2) application of pipe test method using electromagnetic acoustic resonance to existing equipment, (3) developed high performance Co-60 crud removal resin for Tsuruga Power Station Unit 2, (4) improvement of technology for safety of core in FBR, and (5) improvement of technology for coolant of FBR by dispersing nano-particles in liquid sodium metal. Tokyo Electric Power Company developed mainly three projects; (1) the support for the mental health care activities by industry protection staff at the Fukushima Daiichi and Daini Nuclear Power Plant, (2) laboratory test method using non-radioactive cesium for performance of decontamination reagent, and (3) decontamination effects estimation code (DeConEP). Hokuriku Electric Power Company reported the operations management measures in accordance with the safety enhancement measures to Shika nuclear power station. Other nine reports are published by Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc. Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc., The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., The Chugoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc., Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., Okinawa Electric Power Company Inc. and J-Power. (S.Y.)

Progress of technological innovation on electric power in FY2014

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nishikawa, Yoshikazu; Fujii, Yutaka; Sasagawa, Toshiro

2015-01-01

This paper overviews the technological development in FY2014 at Tokyo Electric Power Company, Chubu Electric Power Company, Hokuriku Electric Power Company, Shikoku Electric Power Company, and Electric Power Development Company. In this overview, further breakdown was made for the following departments of each company: nuclear power generation, thermal power generation, hydraulic power generation, power transmission, power distribution, transformation, research and development and technological development, and information and communication. In addition, this paper outlines the achievement of technological development at Japan Atomic Power Company, such as the technological development related to the existing power station, development of new technology, and the development of future reactor. Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station has developed an investigative system using a high altitude survey robot and a movable monitoring system. Hamaoka Nuclear Power Station examined the feasibility of state diagnostic technique based on multi-point analysis, and studied stress corrosion cracking at the newly established Nuclear Safety Research Laboratory. Shika Nuclear Power Station (Unit 1) applied a pipe stress improvement process by means of high frequency induction heating as a stress corrosion cracking countermeasure. Ikata Nuclear Power Station newly adopted high degree cross-linking cation resin, and high cracking strength anion resin as the primary resins. Oma Nuclear Power Station worked on the all reactor core utilization technology of MOX fuel. (A.O.)

Construction of Daiichi Tamagawa bridge; Daiichi Tamagawa kyoryo no seko

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Watanabe, O.; Tsuyoshi, T. [East Japan Railway Company, Tokyo (Japan); Ota, T.; Sato, S. [Tekken Corp., Tokyo (Japan)

1997-05-30

This paper describes the construction of Daiichi Tamagawa Bridge for JR Tazawako Line, which was reconstructed with the Akita Shinkansen Project apart from the existing line. This bridge is a three-span continuous PC cable stayed bridge. To avoid operation accidents due to snow and ice, independent two-column type with a height of 11 m without beam was employed for the main tower. For the construction of upper part, overhang election construction method was adopted, which can be applied all the year round. The main girder has a single box cross section, and a width of 5.5 m and a beam height of 2.3 m. This was also constructed by the overhang construction method. To reduce the construction period, the main tower was constructed by the precast block construction method. The whole bridge was divided into six blocks by considering the hoist performance of cranes. Reinforcement against bearing pressure and cleavage due to the cable tensile force was conducted by adopting saddle structure for the main tower. Oblique members were jointed with the main girder using lateral beams projected from lateral side of girder. Totally seven PC cables were used for each oblique member. Measurements and management during the overhang construction were also described. The construction was over without problems in August, 1996. This bridge is under test operation using test run vehicles. 2 refs., 20 figs., 7 tabs.

Advance in technologies of electric power in 2008

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hamada, Kenichi; Maekawa, Fumiaki; Nakamura, Akio

2008-01-01

Ten electric power companies and two related companies reported their advance in technologies. The technologies of nuclear power plants were stated by ten companies, which consisted of introduction of new main control board to Tomari-3 in Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc., reduction methods of exposure dose of Higashidori-1 in Tohoku Electric Power, hot water based two-phase flow testing device for pipe thinning test by Tokyo Electric Power Company, Guideline for prevention of piping damage caused by combustion of mixture gases in BWR (the second edition) published by Thermal and Nuclear Power Engineering Society, setting up distributor in the low-pressure turbine of Shika-2 in Hokuriku Electric Power Company, development of rapid estimation method of release radioactivity and application of high density neutron source to nuclear transmutation of nuclear fuel cycle and introduction of new core monitor system by The Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., upgrade of investigation of the effects of hot waste water and development of detector for dropout parts of cooling system in reactor by Shikoku Electric Power Co., Inc., change of transformer in Sendai-1 by Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc., and reactor core design for Oma ABWR by J-Power. The Japan Atomic Power Company reported four articles such as development of technologies for established nuclear power plants, promotion of Tsuruga-3 and Tsuruga-4, application of clearance system in Japan and development of future reactors. (S.Y.)

Progress of innovation of electrical power technology in FY2013

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mayumi, Akihiko; Tanaka, Masanori; Yamaguchi, Hiroshi

2014-01-01

The following is the description of technical innovations at 12 companies including Tokyo Electric Power Company, Chubu Electric Power Company, and Japan Atomic Power Company. Tokyo Electric Power Company presented (1) the developments of a wet-type air decontaminating apparatus for inside/outside of power plant, (2) a robot to be used for field investigation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, (3) a visualization technology using laser for detection, and (4) removal of debris at the power plant. Chubu Electric Power Company presented application of a flap gate to the opening on exterior wall of building as a countermeasure against tsunami at the Hamaoka nuclear power plant. Hokuriku Electric Power Company presented a nuclear reactor operation training simulator for full-scope operation training for the Shika nuclear power station. Chugoku Electric Power Company presented their efforts in implementing a predictive monitoring system at the Shimane Nuclear Power Station. Shikoku Electric Power Company presented the installation of a weir with a flap gate to the interior of seawater pit as a countermeasure against tsunami. Japan Atomic Power Company presented an impact assessment method of fallout during transportation of materials caused by nuclear reactor accident, design and development of a square-type shielding container for radioactive wastes, a strength test on concrete materials for the safety design of Tsuruga Power Station Units 3 and 4, decommissioning of nuclear power plant, and research and development of the fast breeder reactor. (S.Y.)

Open Praxis, volumen 1 issue 1

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

Editor Open Praxis

2007-01-01

Full Text Available Table of Contents - A Study on the Importance of Fostering Trust in a Distance Learning Community Sónia Sousa, David Lamas & Brian Hudson (1-10 - Teacher Upgrading through Distance Education in a South African Context C. G. Kruger & Prof. E. J. Spamer (11-19 - An Investigation into Delivery of On-Line Courses within an Early Childhood Teacher Education Distance Programme in New Zealand Susan E. Smart (20-29 - Transnational Online Project Management Curriculum Model for Engineering Students Enrique Benimeli Bofarull, Anke Muendler, Peter Haber (30-39 - China Rural Distance Education and Construction of the New Countryside Li Fanghong & Zeng Yichun (40-46 - E-Learning in Japan: Steam Locomotive on Shinkansen Ali E. Ozkul, Ph.D. & Kumiko Aoki, Ph.D.  (47-55 - Widening Access to Higher Education: Open and Distance Learning in Higher Education Setting in Indonesia Paulina Pannen (56-65 - Research and Development of a Costing Toolkit for Distance, Flexible and ICT-Based Education for Teacher Development in Africa Frank R J Banks (66-75 - Fostering E-Learning in Medical Education: The Eurovacc Team Experience Guilherme Andrade Marson, Nathalie Debard, Jean-Pierre Kraehenbuhl, Pascal Py, Yan Cornneille, Laurent Richard, Alain Meystre (76-86 - Program Upgrading Teachers in Education Irene Hardy de Gómez (87-95 - ICT based learning strategies for Educating nomads Yogesh Kulkarni & Dr. Madhav Gaikwad (96-102 - Information and Communication Technology and Distance Education in Brazil Marta de Campos Maia & Fernando de Souza Meirelles (103-112 - ICDE’s interview with Susan D’Antoni, UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP (113-117 - ICDE Task Force Open Educational Resources – Inquiry Results (118-125 - 22nd ICDE – World Conference on Distance Education: Facts and figures (126-131

Analysis of genetic variation and phylogeny of the predatory bug, Pilophorus typicus, in Japan using mitochondrial gene sequences.

Science.gov (United States)

Ito, Katsura; Nishikawa, Hiroshi; Shimada, Takuji; Ogawa, Kohei; Minamiya, Yukio; Tomoda, Masafumi; Nakahira, Kengo; Kodama, Rika; Fukuda, Tatsuya; Arakawa, Ryo

2011-01-01

Pilophorus typicus (Distant) (Heteroptera: Miridae) is a predatory bug occurring in East, Southeast, and South Asia. Because the active stages of P. typicus prey on various agricultural pest insects and mites, this species is a candidate insect as an indigenous natural enemy for use in biological control programs. However, the mass releasing of introduced natural enemies into agricultural fields may incur the risk of affecting the genetic integrity of species through hybridization with a local population. To clarify the genetic characteristics of the Japanese populations of P. typicus two portions of the mitochondrial DNA, the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) (534 bp) and the cytochrome B (cytB) (217 bp) genes, were sequenced for 64 individuals collected from 55 localities in a wide range of Japan. Totals of 18 and 10 haplotypes were identified for the COI and cytB sequences, respectively (25 haplotypes over regions). Phylogenetic analysis using the maximum likelihood method revealed the existence of two genetically distinct groups in P. typicus in Japan. These groups were distributed in different geographic ranges: one occurred mainly from the Pacific coastal areas of the Kii Peninsula, the Shikoku Island, and the Ryukyu Islands; whereas the other occurred from the northern Kyushu district to the Kanto and Hokuriku districts of mainland Japan. However, both haplotypes were found in a single locality of the southern coast of the Shikoku Island. COI phylogeny incorporating other Pilophorus species revealed that these groups were only recently differentiated. Therefore, use of a certain population of P. typicus across its distribution range should be done with caution because genetic hybridization may occur.

Radiation exposure reduction technologies for a Japanese Advanced BWR (Dose Rate Reduction Experience in Shika Unit 2)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Saito, Takeshi; Ichikawa, Koji; Ishimaru, Hiroshi; Aizawa, Motohiro; Sato, Yoshiteru; Morita, Shoichi

2012-09-01

Operating experiences of the advanced boiling water reactor (ABWR) have been accumulated in Japan since the first ABWRs Kashiwazaki-Kariwa NPS unit 6 and 7 came into service. Shika NPS unit 2 (Shika-2) of Hokuriku Electric Power Co. is the fourth ABWR plant in Japan. Since ABWRs have no piping of the reactor recirculation system (RRS), which is the largest source of radiation in conventional BWRs, carbon steel piping of the reactor water cleanup system (RWCU) and residual heat removal system (RHR) are the largest source in ABWRs. Therefore we have focused on reduction methods of radioactive material on carbon steel surface in order to reduce the quantity of occupational exposure in Shika-2. In Shika-2 the following methods have been adopted. Before fuel loading, alkaline pre-filming process was applied to the RWCU piping during plant startup testing. After start of operation, the feed water iron concentration control (or nickel/iron ratio control) method was applied. Furthermore, during shutdown operation the RHR system was operated when the reactor water temperature was dropped to 120 degree C with the use of condenser heat sink cooling operation. These dose rate reduction methods worked well in Shika-2 as expected. The quantity of occupational exposure at the 3 rd outage in Shika-2 was approximately 0.35 person-Sv. On the basis of the results obtained thus far, the occupational dose expected at the outage after deposition amount of radioactivity reaching the equilibrium state has been estimated to be around 0.5 person-Sv. This value is considered to be in low level compared with the worldwide statistics. (authors)

The development of design method of nuclear piping system supported by elasto-plastic support structures (part 2)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Endo, R.; Murota, M.; Kawabata, J-I.; Hirose, J.; Nekomoto, Y.; Takayama, Y.; Kobayashi, H.

1995-01-01

The conventional seismic design method of nuclear piping system is very conservative because of the accumulation of various safety factors in the design process, and nuclear piping systems are thought to have a large safety margin. Considering this situations, research program was promoted to furthermore rationalize nuclear power plants by reducing the amount of support structures and reducing the piping's seismic response through vibration energy absorption resulting from the elasto-plastic behavior of piping support structures. The research had the following three stages. In the first stage, we selected conventional piping support structures in light-water reactors that exhibited elasto-plastic behavior, and studied the effect of displacement and the vibration frequency on the stiffness and on the energy absorption by testing these models. In the second stage, vibration tests were performed using piping models with support structures on shaking tables. The piping vibration characteristics were clarified by sinusoidal sweep tests and the piping response characteristics by seismic wave vibration tests when the support structures were in an elasto-plastic condition. In the third stage, a general method was developed to evaluate the characteristics of a variety of support structures in the tests. A simplified analysis method was also developed to evaluate the piping seismic response using the piping model test result. To expand the results mentioned above, we also established a new seismic design method of piping systems that allowed support structures to have elasto-plastic behavior. This paper reports the newly developed seismic design method based on the results of experiments conducted under the joint research program of Japanese electric power companies (The Japan Atomic Power Co., Hokkaido EPC, Tohoku EPC, Tokyo EPC, Chubu EPC, Hokuriku EPC, Kansai EPC, Chugoku EPC, Shikoku EPC, Kyushu EPC) and nuclear plant makers (Hitachi Ltd., Toshiba Co., MHI Ltd., HEC Ltd

Applications and development of shape-memory and superelastic alloys in Japan

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Takaoka, S.; Horikawa, H. [Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd., Hiratsuka (Japan); Kobayashi, J. [Japan Association of Shape Memory Alloys, Yokohama (Japan); Shimizu, K. [Kanazawa Inst. of Tech., Matsutou (Japan)

2002-07-01

The present situation of the applications and development of shape memory and superelastic alloys in Japan will collectively be introduced. Of many shape memory alloys, TiNi alloy systems have mostly been used for the applications from the point of view of fatigue and corrosion characteristics. Shape memory effect has been utilized for mainly thermal actuators with the form of coil springs. The effect associated with the B2 to R-phase transformation and its reversion exhibits recoverable strain of approximately 1%, and after a million thermal cycles the recovery characteristics are not affected. Thus, the effect is widely utilized as sensor flap of the air conditioner, water flow control valve, underfloor vent, automatic oil volume adjusting equipment for Shinkansen and water mixing valve. Another effect associated with the B2 to orthorhombic transformation and its reversion, as in TiNiCu alloys containing Cu more than 8%, can be applied to actuators required for 10,000 to 50,000 times life, and thus it is utilized as rice cooker, coffee maker and anti-scald valve. In Japan, however, the TiNi shape memory alloy systems are mainly used for applications using the superelasticity, like a rubber material. The superelasticity associated with the B2 to monoclinic stress-induced transformation and its reversion upon un-loading has been utilized as brassiere wire, eye glasses flame, antenna core wire for cellular phone and fishing wire, and that associated with the B2 to orthorhombic stress-induced transformation and its reversion upon un-loading has been as orthodontic wire, because the TiNiCu alloy wire exhibits smaller stress hysteresis than that of usual TiNi alloy wire. The TiNi shape memory alloy systems are now developed to make various shapes, such as tapes, foils and tubes, and the alloys with those shapes are examined to apply to medical uses, such as guide wire for catheter and catheter tube itself, and to any other uses. The development in Japan is rapidly

Tectonic implications of a paleomagnetic direction obtained from a Miocene dike swarm in central Honshu, Japan

Science.gov (United States)

Hoshi, H.; Sugisaki, Y.

2017-12-01

Central Honshu of Japan is an ideal field for the study of crustal deformation related to arc-arc collision. In this study we obtained rock magnetic and paleomagnetic results from early Miocene igneous rocks in central Honshu in order to examine rotational deformation caused by the collision of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana (IBM) arc with central Honshu. In Takane of the Hida region, gabbro intrusions and older sedimentary rocks are intruded by numerous andesitic dikes that comprise a parallel dike swarm. The dikes formed under two different normal-faulting paleostress conditions, which were suggested using a method of clustering dike orientations. Cross-cutting relationships indicate that the two paleostress conditions existed during the same period. More than 240 oriented cores were taken at 38 sites in two localities for magnetic study. The andesites and gabbros generally have magnetite, and some andesites also contain pyrrhotite. The magnetite records easterly deflected remanent magnetization directions of dual polarities that pass the reversals test. Positive baked contact tests at two sites demonstrate that the easterly deflected direction is a thermoremanent magnetization acquired at the time of intrusion. The overall in situ (i.e., in geographic coordinates) mean direction for andesitic dikes is judged to be highly reliable, although there are two possible scenarios for explaining the easterly deflection: (1) clockwise rotation and (2) tilting to the northwest. We prefer the former scenario and conclude that 45° clockwise rotation occurred in Takane with respect to the North China Block of the Asian continent. This rotation must represent the clockwise rotation of entire Southwest Japan during the opening period of the Japan Sea. Very little difference is observed between the amount of the easterly deflection in Takane and those in the Tokai and Hokuriku regions, indicating no significant relative rotation. Thus, the crust beneath Takane has not suffered rotation

Intestinal absorption and biliary elimination of glycyrrhizic acid diethyl ester in rats

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Koga K

2013-10-01

Full Text Available Kenjiro Koga,1 Mayuri Kawamura,1 Hiroshi Iwase,2 Nobuji Yoshikawa31Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokuriku University, Kanazawa, 2Research Division, 3Research and Development Division, Cokey Systems Co, Ltd, Matsusaka, JapanBackground: The purpose of this study was to evaluate absorption and elimination from the gastrointestinal tract of glycyrrhizic acid diethyl ester (GZ-DE which was prepared as a prodrug of glycyrrhizic acid (a poorly absorbed compound in rats.Methods: After the GZ-DE solution was administered via the intravenous, intraduodenal, intraileal, and stomach routes, GZ-DE and GZ concentrations in bile were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The stability of GZ-DE was estimated from residual GZ-DE and GZ produced in GZ-DE solutions prepared with distilled water, a pH 1.2 solution, 0.9% NaCl solution, and phosphate-buffered solution (pH 7.4 at 37°C.Results: GZ-DE was eliminated into bile by the pharmacokinetic parameters of apparent distribution rate constant (4.56 ± 0.36 per hour and apparent elimination rate constant (0.245 ± 0.042 per hour. After intravenous and intraduodenal administration of GZ-DE, the concentration ratio of GZ-DE to GZ in bile was approximately 4:1, and the bioavailability of GZ containing GZ-DE was three-fold higher compared with the bioavailability of GZ after intraduodenal administration. GZ-DE was immediately precipitated in pH 1.2 solution and was converted to GZ by hydrolysis in pH 7.4 solution.Conclusion: Improvement of intestinal absorption of GZ was made possible by administration of GZ-DE into the intestine where absorption of GZ is lower than in the strong acidic environment of the stomach. However, because the elimination rate in bile simulated from kinetic parameters of GZ-DE was higher than the conversion rate from GZ-DE to GZ by hydrolysis, it is thought that the availability of GZ as a revolutionary prodrug was not high from the

Twenty Years after the Nakhodka Oil Spill Accident in the Sea of Japan, How Has Contamination Changed?

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Kazue Tazaki

2018-04-01

Full Text Available The Nakhodka, a Russian tanker loaded with 19,000 kL of C-type heavy oil, was broken up into sections and submerged off Oki Island, Shimane Prefecture, Japan on 2 January 1997. The bow, after drifting for four days, was wrecked off Anto, Sakai City (Mikuni, Fukui Prefecture, threatening the environment throughout the various shores of Ishikawa Prefecture. The accident, caused by a heavy oil spill of 6200 kL, created serious environmental problems along the shores of Hokuriku District. We report the characterization of C-type heavy oil 20 years after the accident at the Atake seashore, Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the Sea of Japan, based on observations in the field on 18 January 2017. We studied the microstructure, mineralogy, chemical composition, and radioactivity associated with microorganisms in the soils, and buried fishing nets and ropes that were contaminated with C-type heavy oil from this spill. The analyses used a combination of micro techniques, analytical data based on a CHN analyzer, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD, and two kinds of scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS. Hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, paraffin wax, cristobalite, graphite, calcite, halite, and biotite from the Nakhodka oil spill were recognized on the surface of ropes and in the soil of the polluted seashores after 20 years. The chemical compositions indicated that high concentrations of C, O, Na, Al, Si, P, S, Ca, Fe, Cl, Sr, and Pb were predominantly indigenous to the Nakhodka oil spill. In the XRD analysis of the oil-contaminated soils on the rope at the Atake seashore indicated paraffin wax, graphite, sulfate, calcite and halite refractions with clay minerals, after 20 years. To date, no report has described the results of electron microscopy observations, such as Micrococcus bacillus and filamentous fungi, found in oil-contaminated soils after 20 years. In this research, such observations are introduced as �

Distributed specific sediment yield estimations in Japan attributed to extreme-rainfall-induced slope failures under a changing climate

Directory of Open Access Journals (Sweden)

K. Ono

2011-01-01

yield for all of Japan is considered, both scenarios produced an approximately 17–18% increase around the first half of the 21st century as compared to the present climate. For the second half of the century, the MIROC and MRI-RCM20 scenarios predict increased sediment yields of 22% and 14%, respectively, as compared to present climate estimations. On a regional scale, both scenarios identified several common areas prone to increased sediment yields in the future. Substantially higher specific sediment yield changes (over 1000 m³/km²/year were estimated for the Hokuriku, Kinki and Shikoku regions. Out of 105 river basins in Japan, 96 will have an increasing trend of sediment yield under a changing climate, according to the predictions. Among them, five river basins will experience an increase of more than 90% of the present sediment yield in the future. This study is therefore expected to guide decision-makers in identifying the basins that are prone to sedimentation hazard under a changing climate in order to prepare and implement appropriate mitigation measures to cope with the impacts.