Published alongside The Japan Foundation, this collection features five creative and bold plays by some of Japan's most prolific writers of contemporary theatre. Translated into English for the first time, these texts explore a wide range of themes from dystopian ideas of the future to touching domestic tragedies. Brought together in one volume, introduced by the authors and The Japan Foundation, this collection offers English language readers an unprecedented look at some of Japan's finest works of contemporary drama by writers from across the country. The plays include: The Bacchae-Holstein Milk Cows by Satoko Ichihara (Translated by Aya Ogawa) This play takes themes of the ancient Greek tragedy Bacchae by Euripides to examine various aspects of contemporary society, from love and sex, man and woman, intermixture of different species, discrimination and abuse, to artificial insemination, criticism of anthropocentricism and more. It was the winner of the 64th Kishida Drama Award. One Night by Yuko Kuwabara (Translated by Mari Boyd) The setting is a small taxi company run out of the home of its owner in a country town. One night the mother, Koharu Inamura, decides to leave the home in order to protect her children from her husband's domestic violence, promising them that she will come back in 15 years. The play depicts the family's reunion after having to live with the burden of that one night's (hitoyo) incident and how they restarted their lives after it. Isn't Anyone Alive? by Shiro Maeda (Translated by Miwa Monden) This laid back, absurdist work examines death through a goofy lens. In the play, strange urban legends abound in a university hospital where young people die one after another, all with mobile phones in their hands. The Sun by Tomohiro Maekawa (Translated by Nozomi Abe) Depicts young people torn apart in a near future setting where humanity has split into two forms: Nox humans who can only go out at night, and Curios, the original type of humans that can live under the sun. Carcass by Takuya Yokoyama (Translated by Mari Boyd) This play takes its name from the Japanese word for dressed carcasses of beef and pork that have been halved along the backbone for meat . It deals with the dignity of being alive as seen through the lives of workers in the meat industry based on interviews and research. It won the Japan Playwrights Association's 15th New Playwright Award in 2009.

This volume covers some of the most seminal research in the areas of mathematical analysis and numerical computation for nonlinear phenomena. Collected from the international conference held in honor of Professor Yoshikazu Giga's 60th birthday, the featured research papers and survey articles discuss partial differential equations related to fluid mechanics, electromagnetism, surface diffusion, and evolving interfaces. Specific focus is placed on topics such as the solvability of the Navier-Stokes equations and the regularity, stability, and symmetry of their solutions, analysis of a living fluid, stochastic effects and numerics for Maxwell's equations, nonlinear heat equations in critical spaces, viscosity solutions describing various kinds of interfaces, numerics for evolving interfaces, and a hyperbolic obstacle problem. Also included in this volume are an introduction of Yoshikazu Giga's extensive academic career and a long list of his published work. Students and researchers in mathematical analysis and computation will find interest in this volume on theoretical study for nonlinear phenomena.

The fact that magnetite (Fe304) was already known in the Greek era as a peculiar mineral is indicative of the long history of transition metal oxides as useful materials. The discovery of high-temperature superconductivity in 1986 has renewed interest in transition metal oxides. High-temperature su perconductors are all cuprates. Why is it? To answer to this question, we must understand the electronic states in the cuprates. Transition metal oxides are also familiar as magnets. They might be found stuck on the door of your kitchen refrigerator. Magnetic materials are valuable not only as magnets but as electronics materials. Manganites have received special attention recently because of their extremely large magnetoresistance, an effect so large that it is called colossal magnetoresistance (CMR). What is the difference between high-temperature superconducting cuprates and CMR manganites? Elements with incomplete d shells in the periodic table are called tran sition elements. Among them, the following eight elements with the atomic numbers from 22 to 29, i. e., Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni and Cu are the most im portant. These elements make compounds with oxygen and present a variety of properties. High-temperature superconductivity and CMR are examples. Most of the textbooks on magnetism discuss the magnetic properties of transition metal oxides. However, when one studies magnetism using tradi tional textbooks, one finds that the transport properties are not introduced in the initial stages."

Shape interrogation is the process of extraction of information from a geometric model. It is a fundamental component of Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems. The authors focus on shape interrogation of geometric models bounded by free-form surfaces. Free-form surfaces, also called sculptured surfaces, are widely used in the bodies of ships, automobiles and aircraft, which have both functionality and attractive shape requirements. Many electronic devices as well as consumer products are designed with aesthetic shapes, which involve free-form surfaces. This book provides the mathematical fundamentals as well as algorithms for various shape interrogation methods including nonlinear polynomial solvers, intersection problems, differential geometry of intersection curves, distance functions, curve and surface interrogation, umbilics and lines of curvature, geodesics, and offset curves and surfaces. This book will be of interest both to graduate students and professionals.

Nowadays information technology is based on semiconductor and ferromagnetic materials. Information processing and computation are based on electron charge in semiconductor transistors and integrated circuits, and information is stored on magnetic high-density hard disks based on the physics of the electron spins. Recently, a new branch of physics and nanotechnology, called magneto-electronics, spintronics, or spin electronics, has emerged, which aims at simultaneously exploiting both the charge and the spin of electrons in the same device. A broader goal is to develop new functionality that does not exist separately in a ferromagnet or a semiconductor. The aim of this book is to present new directions in the development of spin electronics in both the basic physics and the technology which will become the foundation of future electronics.

The International Brain Hypothermia Symposium 2004was the second time I have had the honor of opening such a gathering on brain hypothermia treatment. It was a great pleasure to greet the participants in the hope that their valuablecontributions would make the Tokyo meeting memorable. Brainhypothermia has long been seen as a promising method that may overcome current limitations on brain resuscitation in patients with severe brain damage. However, although excellentresults have been obtained in experimental animal models, for some reason brain hypothermia has not alwaysbeen successful clinically, and resolving this problem has been a major challenge facing physicians specializing in brain therapies. The ICUmanagement of recent research has uncovered newmechanisms ofbrain damage not seen in animal models, including brain thermo-pooling at temperatures above 40 C in severe brain damage, masking neuronal hypoxia even with normal cerebral blood flow. Stress-related hyper glycemia with brain hypothermia was expected to generate useful results in patients with external injuries, cerebral occlusive stroke, and cardiac arrest. In recent clinical studies of brain hypothermia treatment, many excellent results began being reported on the manage ment of severe brain injury, ischemic stroke, and post-resuscitation after cardiac arrest. However, in clinical brain hypothermia treatment many questions remained about appro priate treatment targets, leu management technique, prevention of complications, control of brain tissue temperature, management of hypothermia insult, and mechanisms underly ing the onset of vegetative states."

A magnificent new collection of 60 sculptural paper models from a mathematical origami master! Master origami folder and author Jun Maekawa is known for developing innovative new methods of folding origami based on fundamental mathematical principles. In The Art & Science of Geometric Origami, he shows you how to fold over 60 different geometric shapes through clear, easy-to-follow instructions and photos. The unique origami designs in this book include: New takes on traditional geometric models including the Tetrahedron and Octahedron Unusual forms like the Tetrapod Wave Breaker, Hyperbolic Illusion Cube--and a Torii Gate Quirky pieces like the Double Spiral Tessellation, Branching Tree and Fractal Wave Biological models such as a Lizard, Tethered Cranes and a realistic Human Figure Folding instructions for each model are prefaced with an extensive introduction to the geometric principles underlying the piece. The models include nontraditional designs folded from unusual papers, including dozens of clever boxes and modular models which are assembled like 3D puzzles!

Since the discovery of the giant magnetoresistance (GMR) effect in magnetic multilayers in 1988, a new branch of physics and technology, called spin-electronics or spintronics, has emerged, where the flow of electrical charge as well as the flow of electron spin, the so-called "spin current", are manipulated and controlled together. Recent progress in the physics of magnetism and the application of spin current has progressed in tandem with the nanofabrication technology of magnets and the engineering of interfaces and thin films. This book is intended to provide an introduction and guide to the new physics and applications of spin current. The emphasis is placed on the interaction between spin and charge currents in magnetic nanostructures.

A Frequency Dictionary of Japanese is an invaluable tool for all learners of Japanese, providing a list of the 5,000 most commonly used words in the language.

Based on a100 million word corpus, composed of spoken, fiction, non-fiction and news texts in current use, the dictionary provides the user with a detailed frequency-based list, as well as alphabetical and part-of-speech indices.

All entries in the frequency list feature the English equivalent and a sample sentence with English translation. The dictionary also contains 25 thematically organised lists of frequently used words on a variety of topics such as food, weather, occupations and leisure. Numerous bar charts are also included to highlight the phonetic and spelling variants across register.

A Frequency Dictionary of Japanese enables students of all levels to maximise their study of Japanese vocabulary in an efficient and engaging way. It is also an excellent resource for teachers of the language.

Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to the practice of achieving a more acceptable acoustic environment, this book draws on the same basic principles to cover both the outdoors and indoor space. It starts with the fundamentals of sound waves and hearing and goes on to the measurement of noise and vibration, room acoustics, sound absorption, airborne sound insulation and noise and vibration control. This serves as a foundation reference for students of architecture and environmental engineering, including those new to the study of acoustics. Problem-solving exercises are provided at the end of each chapter. The authors focus on techniques, methods and standards and lead into further more specialized material which makes the book useful for more advanced students and professional engineers.

This book describes the application of nonlinear static and dynamic analysis for the design, maintenance and seismic strengthening of reinforced concrete structures. The latest structural and RC constitutive modelling techniques are described in detail, with particular attention given to multi-dimensional cracking and damage assessment, and their practical applications for performance-based design. Other subjects covered include 2D/3D analysis techniques, bond and tension stiffness, shear transfer, compression and confinement. It can be used in conjunction with WCOMD and COM3 software Nonlinear Mechanics of Reinforced Concrete presents a practical methodology for structural engineers, graduate students and researchers concerned with the design and maintenance of concrete structures.

Increases in computer power have now enabled engineers to combine materials science with structural mechanics in the design and the assessment of concrete structures. The techniques developed have become especially useful for the performance assessment of such structures under coupled mechanistic and environmental actions. This allows effective management of infrastructure over a much longer life cycle, thus satisfying the requirements for durability and sustainability. This ground-breaking new book draws on the fields of materials and structural mechanics in an integrated way to address the questions of management and maintenance. It proposes a realistic way of simulating both constituent materials and structural responses under external loading and under ambient conditions. Where the research literature discusses component or element technology related to performance assessment, this book uniquely covers the subject at the level of the whole system including soil foundation, showing engineers how to model changes in concrete structures over time and how to use this for decision making in infrastructure maintenance and asset management.

The aim of this book is to describe what is currently occurring in the Mongolian grasslands, to analyze how various factors creating environmental problems interact, and to suggest solutions for sustainable management of the grasslands. The book has three parts. Part I is an introduction, explaining the key concept of an ecosystem network and providing background information on the general features of Mongolian nomadic pastoralism as well as distribution of vegetation in Mongolian grasslands. Part II describes the effects of natural environmental factors and nomadic activities on grassland conditions. Water dynamics that maintain the grassland system are analyzed in a steppe region with shrubs and in a forest-steppe region with trees. Part III describes the effects of economic and social factors on land-use and the livelihood of herders. As nomadic people moved closer to large cities for economic advantage in the 1990s, degradation of pastures by overgrazing resulted. Finally, the impacts of global warming and globalization on the Mongolian society and ecosystem are examined. This book analyzes environmental problems in Mongolian grasslands, but the contents contribute to consideration of environmental problems and sustainable pasture use in grassland areas worldwide.

Adopting a multi-disciplinary approach to the practice of achieving a more acceptable acoustic environment, this book draws on the same basic principles to cover both the outdoors and indoor space. It starts with the fundamentals of sound waves and hearing and goes on to the measurement of noise and vibration, room acoustics, sound absorption, airborne sound insulation and noise and vibration control.

This serves as a foundation reference for students of architecture and environmental engineering, including those new to the study of acoustics. Problem-solving exercises are provided at the end of each chapter. The authors focus on techniques, methods and standards and lead into further more specialized material which makes the book useful for more advanced students and professional engineers.

In magnetic systems of nano-meter size, the interplay between spin and charge of electrons provides unique transport phenomena. In magnetic superlattices, magnetic and non-magnetic metallic thin films with thickness of the order of one nano-meter are piled-up alternately. Since the discovery of giant magnetoresistance (GMR) in these superlattices in 1988, spin dependent transport phenomena in magnetic nanostructures have received much attention from both academic and technological points of view. Ferromagnetic tunnel junctions made of ferromagnetic metal electrodes and a very thin insulating barrier between them are also of current interest as magnetoresistive devices, where the tunneling current depends on the relative orientation of magnetization (TMR). In addition to magnetic superlattices and magnetic tunnel junctions, magnetic granular systems and magnetic dots have been studied extensively as magnetoresistive systems. Edited by two of the world's leading authorities, Spin Dependent Transport in Magnetic Nanostructures introduces and explains the basic physics and applications of a variety of spin-dependent transport phenomena in magnetic nanostructures with particular emphasis on magnetic multilayers and magnetic tunnel junctions.

This book describes the application of nonlinear static and dynamic analysis for the design, maintenance and seismic strengthening of reinforced concrete structures. The latest structural and RC constitutive modelling techniques are described in detail, with particular attention given to multi-dimensional cracking and damage assessment, and their practical applications for performance-based design. Other subjects covered include 2D/3D analysis techniques, bond and tension stiffness, shear transfer, compression and confinement. It can be used in conjunction with WCOMD and COM3 software
Nonlinear Mechanics of Reinforced Concrete presents a practical methodology for structural engineers, graduate students and researchers concerned with the design and maintenance of concrete structures.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203302885

A Frequency Dictionary of Japanese is an invaluable tool for all learners of Japanese, providing a list of the 5,000 most commonly used words in the language. Based on a100 million word corpus, composed of spoken, fiction, non-fiction and news texts in current use, the dictionary provides the user with a detailed frequency-based list, as well as alphabetical and part-of-speech indices. All entries in the frequency list feature the English equivalent and a sample sentence with English translation. The dictionary also contains 25 thematically organised lists of frequently used words on a variety of topics such as food, weather, occupations and leisure. Numerous bar charts are also included to highlight the phonetic and spelling variants across register. A Frequency Dictionary of Japanese enables students of all levels to maximise their study of Japanese vocabulary in an efficient and engaging way. It is also an excellent resource for teachers of the language.

Increases in computer power have now enabled engineers to combine materials science with structural mechanics in the design and the assessment of concrete structures. The techniques developed have become especially useful for the performance assessment of such structures under coupled mechanistic and environmental actions. This allows effective management of infrastructure over a much longer life cycle, thus satisfying the requirements for durability and sustainability.

This ground-breaking new book draws on the fields of materials and structural mechanics in an integrated way to address the questions of management and maintenance. It proposes a realistic way of simulating both constituent materials and structural responses under external loading and under ambient conditions. Where the research literature discusses component or element technology related to performance assessment, this book uniquely covers the subject at the level of the whole system including soil foundation, showing engineers how to model changes in concrete structures over time and how to use this for decision making in infrastructure maintenance and asset management.

The aim of this book is to describe what is currently occurring in the Mongolian grasslands, to analyze how various factors creating environmental problems interact, and to suggest solutions for sustainable management of the grasslands. The book has three parts. Part I is an introduction, explaining the key concept of an ecosystem network and providing background information on the general features of Mongolian nomadic pastoralism as well as distribution of vegetation in Mongolian grasslands. Part II describes the effects of natural environmental factors and nomadic activities on grassland conditions. Water dynamics that maintain the grassland system are analyzed in a steppe region with shrubs and in a forest-steppe region with trees. Part III describes the effects of economic and social factors on land-use and the livelihood of herders. As nomadic people moved closer to large cities for economic advantage in the 1990s, degradation of pastures by overgrazing resulted. Finally, the impacts of global warming and globalization on the Mongolian society and ecosystem are examined. This book analyzes environmental problems in Mongolian grasslands, but the contents contribute to consideration of environmental problems and sustainable pasture use in grassland areas worldwide.

The International Brain Hypothermia Symposium 2004was the second time I have had the honor of opening such a gathering on brain hypothermia treatment. It was a great pleasure to greet the participants in the hope that their valuablecontributions would make the Tokyo meeting memorable. Brainhypothermia has long been seen as a promising method that may overcome current limitations on brain resuscitation in patients with severe brain damage. However, although excellentresults have been obtained in experimental animal models, for some reason brain hypothermia has not alwaysbeen successful clinically, and resolving this problem has been a major challenge facing physicians specializing in brain therapies. The ICUmanagement of recent research has uncovered newmechanisms ofbrain damage not seen in animal models, including brain thermo-pooling at temperatures above 40 C in severe brain damage, masking neuronal hypoxia even with normal cerebral blood flow. Stress-related hyper glycemia with brain hypothermia was expected to generate useful results in patients with external injuries, cerebral occlusive stroke, and cardiac arrest. In recent clinical studies of brain hypothermia treatment, many excellent results began being reported on the manage ment of severe brain injury, ischemic stroke, and post-resuscitation after cardiac arrest. However, in clinical brain hypothermia treatment many questions remained about appro priate treatment targets, leu management technique, prevention of complications, control of brain tissue temperature, management of hypothermia insult, and mechanisms underly ing the onset of vegetative states."

Advances through carefully conducted quantitative work on well designed, high quality materials characterize the present state of high-temperature superconductivity research. The contributions to this volume present a theoretical and experimental overview of electronic structure and physical properties, including anisotropic features, of high-temperative materials, with a focus on cuprates. In order to enhance the understanding of the mechanisms of superconductivity at high temperatures, this volume is divided into theoretical and experimental parts. The contributions to the two parts correspond to each other, giving readers involved in either area of research activity a reference to findingsof the other. On the other hand, this book gives young physicists high-level information on the present state of research, enhanced by tutorial contributions of leading physicists in the field.

This volume contains the proceedings of the ffiM Japan International Sympo sium on Strong Correlation and Superconductivity, which was held in Keidan ren Guest House at the foot of Mt. Fuji, May 21-25, 1989. The purpose of the Symposium was to provide an opportunity for discus sions on the problem of strong correlation of electrons in the context of high-Tc superconductivity. Sixty-eight scientists were invited from seven countries and forty-three papers were presented in the Symposium. Soon after the discovery ofhigh-Tc superconducting oxides, Professor P. W. Anderson proposed that the essence of high-Tc superconductivity lies in the strong correlation among the electrons in these materials. This proposal has stimulated a wide range of theoretical investigations on this profound and dif ficult problem, which are expected to lead eventually to new concepts describ ing strong electron correlation. In the Symposium, Anderson himself started lively discussions by his talk entitled "Myth and Reality in High-Tc Supercon ductivity," which was followed by various reports on theoretical studies and experimental results. Concise and thoughtful summaries of experiment and theory were given by Professors H. R. Ott and P. A. Lee, respectively. It is our hope that this volume reflects the present status of the research activity on this outstanding problem from the viewpoint of the basic physics and that it will further stimulate the effort to understand these fascinating systems, the high-Tc oxides."

The intial defects induced at early age of concrete hardening: thermal strains, shrinkage, creep and the associated risks of cracking are one of the governing factors for long-term performance of concrete. Proposing a simplified but intergrated scenario of concrete life cycle simulation method, this book examines and explains the vast amount of experimental observations related to hardening concrete using a common set of physical laws. The methods used focus on the three primary processes common to the development of all cementitious materials: hydration, moisture transport and structure formation. The authors describe an intergrated theoretical and computational platform from which to examine and assess the quality and structural durability of concrete at an early age. This represents a new approach to the problem of evaluating durability performance and presents a practical methodology for researchers and practitioners in the field of concrete technology. The proposed scheme may be used in practical computational simulation methods, with the relevant software available on the Internet, and is a valuable guide to those engaged in concrete design.