Method for determination of stable carbon isotope ratio of methylnitrophenols in atmospheric particulate matter

A technique for the measurement of the stable isotope ratio of methylnitrophenols in atmospheric particulate matter is presented. Atmospheric samples from rural and suburban areas were collected for evaluation of the procedure. Particulate matter was collected on quartz fibre filters using dichotomous high volume air samplers. Methylnitrophenols were extracted from the filters using acetonitrile. The sample was then purified using a combination of high-performance liquid chromatography and solid phase extraction. The final solution was then divided into two aliquots. To one aliquot, a derivatising agent, Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide, was added for Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis. The second half of the sample was stored in a refrigerator. For samples with concentrations exceeding 1 ng μl<sup>−1</sup>, the second half of the sample was used for measurement of stable carbon isotope ratios by Gas Chromatography-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry. <br><br> The procedure described in this paper provides a method for the analysis of methylnitrophenols in atmospheric particulate matter at concentrations as low as 0.3 pg m<sup>−3</sup> and for stable isotope ratios with an accuracy of better than ±0.5‰ for concentrations exceeding 100 pg m<sup>−3</sup>. <br><br> In all atmospheric particulate matter samples analysed, 2-methyl-4-nitrophenol was found to be the most abundant methylnitrophenol, with concentrations ranging from the low pg m<sup>−3</sup> range in rural areas to more than 200 pg m<sup>−3</sup> in some samples from a suburban location

Direct Analysis of Low-Volatile Molecular Marker Extract from Airborne Particulate Matter Using Sensitivity Correction Method

Molecular marker analysis of environmental samples often requires time consuming preseparation steps. Here, analysis of low-volatile nonpolar molecular markers (5-6 ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PAHs, hopanoids, and n-alkanes) without the preseparation procedure is presented. Analysis of artificial sample extracts was directly conducted by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). After every sample injection, a standard mixture was also analyzed to make a correction on the variation of instrumental sensitivity caused by the unfavorable matrix contained in the extract. The method was further validated for the PAHs using the NIST standard reference materials (SRMs) and then applied to airborne particulate matter samples. Tests with the SRMs showed that overall our methodology was validated with the uncertainty of ~30%. The measurement results of airborne particulate matter (PM) filter samples showed a strong correlation between the PAHs, implying the contributions from the same emission source. Analysis of size-segregated PM filter samples showed that their size distributions were found to be in the PM smaller than 0.4 μm aerodynamic diameter. The observations were consistent with our expectation of their possible sources. Thus, the method was found to be useful for molecular marker studies

Semiconductor Technology Roadmaps : Initial Study of An Industry Level MOT Tool

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Species Diversity of Shallow Water Zoanthids (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) in Florida

Shallow water zooxanthellate zoanthids are a common component of the coral reef ecosystems of the Caribbean. Despite this, their species diversity remains poorly understood. In this study, collected Palythoa, Zoanthus, Isaurus, and Terrazoanthus specimens from the waters of Florida were phylogenetically examined to obtain a better understanding of zoanthid species diversity in the Caribbean. Surprisingly, the results from analyses utilizing three DNA markers (mitochondrial 16S ribosomal DNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I, and the internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal DNA) showed the presence of at least eleven species, of which up to four appear undescribed. Additionally, the presence of the genus Terrazoanthus in the Caribbean was confirmed for the first time. Attempts to match phylogenetic species or clades with original literature were hampered by vague and short original descriptions, and it is clear that for Atlantic Palythoa and Zoanthus species an in-depth and multidisciplinary investigation is needed to reconcile recent phylogenetic results such as in this study with traditional taxonomy. Furthermore, most shallow water zoanthid species from Florida were observed to have close, sister-species relationships with previously investigated species in the Pacific Ocean. These results indicate that many brachycnemic zoanthid species likely had a Caribbean-Pacific distribution until the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. However, due to inadvertent redescriptions, overall species diversity in these two common genera is likely much lower than literature indicates

Japan's Defense Policies in the Post-World War II : History, Issues and New Ideas

The paper reviews and analyzes the history of the Japan-US Security treaties from 1945 to today. The Shinzo Abe Cabinet is now preparing to revise the Japanese Constitution, in particular the Article 9 of the constitution which disallows military bases and forces for use in international conflicts. However, the Abe Cabinet has repeatedly stated it will maintain the Japan-US Security Treaty. The Cold War ended in 1988 and China and Russia are now no more enemies for Japan and USA. Although Okinawa people have demanded the removal of US military bases out from Okinawa, the Japanese and US governments have always insisted on the need for US bases in Okinawa because of the Japan-US security treaty. This paper proposes new ideas for peace and security in the global era.論文は1945年から今日までに日本の防衛政策の歴史的検証,課題の分析,新思考の提示である。安倍信三政権は憲法9条の改正を含めた日本国憲法の改正へ向けて検討を始めた。しかしながら,冷戦時に社会主義国のソ連,中国に対する防衛政策であった日米安全保障条約は今後も保持すると明言している。ソ連は崩壊し,代わったロシアも中国も今では日米の敵ではなくなった。冷戦が終わったので,沖縄の人々が沖縄の米軍基地を撤去しほしいと要求しても日米両政府は日米安全保障条約に基づいて,沖縄に駐留していると説明している。今,冷戦が終わり,グローバル時代に見合う安全保障の新思考が必要である。application/pdfdepartmental bulletin pape

The Macro - and Micro - analysis of the Roots of Potential Violence in Japanese Society

This thesis is an analysis of the roots of potential violence in Japanese society based on knowledge and theories of conflict analysis and resolution. The Japanese seem to be enjoying their lives at first glance with improvements in their economy compared to those who live in developing countries. However, the current social situation, characterized by the isolation of urban living, an emphasis on competition, a lack of shared vision, and the impersonal nature of modern life, prevent Japanese people from developing intimate human relationships and overcoming a series of social crises. There have been many sociological analyses concerning violence in Japanese society. However, there has been insufficient analysis of this field using conflict analysis and resolution theories. The authors attempt to access the roots of potential violence in Japanese society in terms of conflict analysis and resolution theories and knowledge.論文の内容は日本社会における潜在的な暴力の基層を、マクロおよびミクロ的視点から分析した。　なぜ、暴力事件・事故がひっきりなしに起こるのか、またはこれらの事件・事故がおこる要因が潜在するか、の問題意識で研究をすすめた。　紛争解決学理論を用いて、アイデンティティ危機、社会からの孤立、過剰経済競争、公共倫理の欠如などの古くもありまた新しくもある社会現象の原因を分析して、望ましい対処方を提示した。application/pdfdepartmental bulletin pape