Combining the AKARI Point Source Catalog and the 37-month Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) catalog, the infrared and X-ray properties of nearby active galactic nuclei were investigated. The 37-month MAXI catalog tabulates 100 nearby Seyfert galaxies, 73 of which are categorized into Seyfert I galaxies. Among these Seyfert galaxies, 69 ones were found to have an AKARI infrared counterpart. For the Seyfert I galaxies in this sample, a well-known correlation was found between the infrared and X-ray luminosities. However, the observed X-ray luminosity of the Seyfert II galaxies tends to be lower for the infrared luminosity than the Seyfert I galaxies. This suggests that the X-ray absorption is significant in the Seyfert II galaxies. The Seyfert II galaxies seem to have a bimodal distribution of the IR color between 18 μm and 90 μm. Especially, a large fraction of the Seyfert II galaxies exhibits a redder IR color than the Seyfert I galaxies. A possible origin of the redder IR color is brie y discussed, in relation to the star formation activity in the host galaxy, and to the X-ray absorption.

This study focuses on consumer knowledge which is one of the determinants of consumer behavior, referring to difference in consumer knowledge at each stage of the purchase decision making-process. Thus, for that reason, the consumer behavior specified by consumer knowledge is difference at each stage of purchase decision making-process.

Fatty acid-amino acid conjugates (FACs), first identified from beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua larvae (Alborn et al., 1997), have been found in noctuid as well as sphingid caterpillar oral secretions and especially volicitin [N-(17-hydroxylinolenoyl)- L-glutamine, 17OH-volicitn] and its biochemical precursor, N-linolenoyl- L-glutamine, are known elicitors of induced volatile emissions in corn plants. We conducted FAC screening of 29 lepidopteran species and found FACs in 19 of these species (Yoshinaga & Mori et al., 2010). Thus, FACs are quite commonly synthesized through a broad range of lepidopteran caterpillars. From an evolutionary perspective, it is presumed that volicitin and the other FACs, although consequently unfavorable to the insect in the plant-herbivore interactions, are produced because they are essential part of the primary metabolism of the insects. In this context, we suggested that FACs in Spodoptera litura play an active role in nitrogen assimilation by regulating the amount of glutamine in the larval midgut (Yoshinaga & Mori et al., 2008). The benefits of the physiological function of FACs for the herbivores need to outweigh the costs caused by induction of plant defense

A non-equilibrium powder metallurgy processing such as an MA/SPS (Mechanical Alloying / Spark Plasma Sintering) process is examined in a Ti-48moll%Al. TiAl intermetallic compound is a potential light-weight/high-temperature structural material. One of the major problems, however, limiting the practical use of the material is its poor workability. From this point, the powder metallurgy (PM) processing route has been attractive alternative of the conventional processing for such material The MA/SPS process is able to apply to a LIGA process. Optimization of the pseudo-superplasticity enables to fabricate micro-parts made of fine grained ceramics composites of TiAl by the LIGA process.

We developed a new tooth profile designed for P/M internal gear pump rotors. The theoretical discharge volume of the new tooth profile internal gear rotors is more than 10% higher than that of the same size conventional rotors. Our new profile rotors can achieve a decrease in torque, and fuel-efficiency will also be improved.

P/M enables the economical production of components for many kinds of gears. Functionally, the sub gear requires high tooth accuracy and bending fatigue strength. The whole tooth profile was sized after sintering to satisfy the gear tooth accuracy specification. The part was redesigned to reduce machining requirements. The required bending fatigue strength was achieved through appropriate material choice and induction of compressive residual stress by shotpeening after carburizing. The P/M sub gear replaced a forged steel gear, satisfied performance requirements, expanded the use of P/M applications and provided over 30% cost reduction.

Conventional high-speed steels, which are carbide decentralized materials, are used for sliding parts, but they lack sufficient hardness for some applications. Improvement of surface hardness is possible for high-Cr steels through nitriding. However, nitriding P/M parts is not advisable without sealing the porosity before treatment, as they will become brittle. However, it is difficult to seal the pores with steam treatment, because high-Cr steel has a passive film on the surface. Controlling nitriding by decreasing the amount of oxygen on the surface to be nitrided, and grinding to decrease the porosity of the surface, makes it possible to produce a material that has reasonable and sufficient hardness in the required areas.

High resolution observations of cluster of galaxies by Chandra have revealed the existence of an X-ray emitting comet-like galaxy C153 in the core of cluster of galaxies A2125. The galaxy C153 moving fast in the cluster core has a distinct X-ray tail on one side, obviously due to ram pressure stripping, since the galaxy C153 crossed the central region of A2125. The X-ray emitting plasma in the tail is substantially cooler than the ambient plasma. We present results of two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the time evolution of a sub clump like C153 moving in magnetized intergalactic matter. Anisotropic heat conduction is included. We found that the magnetic fields are essential for the existence of the cool X-ray tail, because in non-magnetized plasma the cooler sub clump tail is heated up by isotropic heat conduction from the hot ambient plasma and does not form such a comet-like tail.

Insecticide resistance is a serious is a serious threat to IPM, resulting in various adverse effects not to mention the loss of yield in agriculture. One approach to counter the problem is the disruption of resistance mechanisms. This can be achieved by (1) compounds which show a negative correlation with resistance at the site of action, (2) specific metabolic inhibitors which serve as synergists, or (3) a certain combination of two insecticides producing a joint action. This approach, however, requires certain precautions for the side effects may cause an increase in toxicity to mammals. Owing to the recent advances in theoretical studies on resistance management employing computer simulation and mathematical models, a few principles to reduce the risk of development of resistance have been clarified. They are helpful in designing operational strategies with regard to, for instance, insecticide doses to be applied, mode of application, and choice and nature of the insecticide(s) to be used. For restoration of insecticide susceptibility of a resistant population, reintroduction of susceptible individuals to the resistant population is feasible when certain conditions are met. Natural enemies which developed resistance to insecticides can be an important component of IPM as has been shown in the pest management in apple orchards. After all, the implementation of a successful resistance management program depends upon cooperation between different sigments of the agricutural community. Although resistance is a preadaptive phenomenon, in some cases spontaneous loss of resistance does occur without contamination by susceptible individuals. The instability of resistance in these insects implies the possible existence of a switch machanism controlling the expression of resistance gene(s). Elucidation of such a mechanism may eventually provide us with a new technical approach with which we can combat the problem of insecticide resistance.