High levels of larval mortality are a significant barrierto the artificial mass production of Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnusorientalis). Mortality may occur when larvae sink and comeinto contact with the bottom of the rearing tank during the first10 days after hatching. We evaluated the effect of flow controlby aeration on the survival of T. orientalis larvae.These larvae were held in 500-L tanks in which the aeration ratewas varied during the night. Larval survival increased with airsupply. We documented the cross-sectional flow pattern and gravitationalsinking velocities of larvae to assess the correlation between survivaland circulation patterns in the tank. The sinking velocity of T. orientalis larvaeat night increased with larval body density, which varied with swimbladdervolume. Larvae with uninflated swimbladders sank significantly fasterthan larvae with inflated swimbladders. Both water circulation speedand survival increased at higher aeration rates. Our results suggestthat aeration rates >900 ml min–1 may increase larval survival bycounteracting sinking.

Nanocrystalline strontium titanate (SrTiO3) particle/polymer hybrid was synthesized from metal–organics and 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl maleate (MMEM). SrTiO3 precursor was prepared from strontium isopropoxide and titanium isopropoxide in 2-methoxyethanol. Nanocrystalline SrTiO3 particle/poly-MMEM hybrid was formed by hydrolysis followed by reaction with MMEM. The crystallinity of SrTiO3 particles depended on the amount of water for hydrolysis. The nanocrystalline particles were identified to be strontium titanate by x-ray diffraction. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed the presence of the chemical bond between SrTiO3 particles and the organic matrix. The fluid consisting of SrTiO3 particle/poly-MMEM and silicone oil revealed a yield stress dependent on various conditions, such as hydrolysis conditions and applied field. The hybridization was found to have a pronounced effect on the electrorheological properties of the nanoparticle/polymer-based system.

Size-controlled spinel iron oxide (SIO) nanoparticle/organic hybrid was synthesized in situ from iron (III) allylacetylacetonate (IAA) at around 80 °C. The formation of SIO particles chemically bound with organics was confirmed by infrared and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The sizes of SIO nanoparticles in the hybrids were monodispersed and ranged from 7 to 23 nm under controlled hydrolysis conditions. The hybrid including SIO particles of 7.3 nm was superparamagnetic, whereas those dispersed with particles above 11 nm were ferrimagnetic. The specific absorption rate (SAR) value was dependent upon the magnetic properties of the hybrid at 100 Oe. The SAR was 15.2 W g−1 in a 230 kHz alternating magnetic field and 100 Oe when the crystallite size of SIO particle in the hybrid was 16 nm. The temperatures of agars dispersed with hybrid powders of 5 and 8 mg ml−1 reached the optimum temperature (42 °C) for 17 and 8 min, respectively. The increase in temperature was controlled in terms of the strength of magnetic field. The simulation of heat transfer in the agar phantom model revealed that the suitable temperature distribution for therapy was attained from 15 to 20 min at 230 kHz and 100 Oe.

Nanocrystalline SrTiO3 particle/polymer composite film was synthesized from a titanium–organic film and strontium ion in aqueous solution by applying a direct current (dc) field. The titanium–organic precursor was synthesized from acetylacetone-modified titanium isopropoxide and a methacrylate derivative. Ultraviolet treatment of the titanium–organic film decreased the leaching of Ti moieties from the precursor film during dc treatment. Crystalline SrTiO3 particles were formed in the precursor films on stainless-steel substrates under a dc field above 40 °C without a high-temperature process. The size of SrTiO3 particles increased with increasing reaction temperature from 40 to 50 °C at 3.0 V/cm. SrTiO3 particles also increased in size with increasing reaction time from 35 to 60 min at 3.0 V/cm and at 50 °C. SrTiO3 particle/polymer films were synthesized on stainless-steel substrates at 3.0 V/cm and 50 °C for 60 min.

(Ni,Zn)Fe2O4 particle/organic hybrid was synthesized in situ from metalorganics below 100 °C. A mixture of nickel (II) acetylacetonate (NA), zinc acetylacetonate (ZA), and iron (III) 3-allylacetylacetonate (IAA) was hydrolyzed and polymerized yielding a spinel oxide particle/organic hybrid. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the crystallinity of spinel particles was dependent upon the hydrolysis conditions of NA-ZA-IAA. Nanocrystalline nickel zinc ferrite particles below 5 nm were uniformly dispersed in the organic matrix. The magnetization of hybrid increased with an increasing amount of water for hydrolysis. Nano-sized nickel zinc ferrite particle/organic hybrid showed a magnetization-applied field (BH) curve with no remanence above 40 K. The magnetization versus H/T curves from 40 to 100 K were superimposed on the same curve and satisfied the Langevin equation. The remanent magnetization and coercive field of the hybrid were 7.2 emu/g and 150 Oe, respectively, at 4.2 K. The absorption edge of the hybrid was blue-shifted compared with that of bulk ferrite.

Lithium ferrite particle/organic hybrid was synthesized in situ from iron–organic and lithium–organic compounds below 100 °C. Spinel ferrite particle/organic hybrid was synthesized by hydrolyzing a mixture of iron (III) 3-allylacetylacetonate (IAA) and lithium acrylate (LA). X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the crystallinity of spinel particle was dependent on the polymerization treatment and the hydrolysis conditions. The saturation magnetization of hybrid increased with increasing methylhydrazine and water amount of hydrolysis. Nanocrystalline lithium ferrite particle about 5 nm was dispersed in the organic matrix. The hybrid showed neither remanence nor coercive force at room temperature. The magnetization versus field/temperature H/T curves from 100 to 300 K were superimposed on the same curve and satisfied the Langevin equation. The zero-field-cooled (ZFC) and field-cooled (FC) magnetization curve revealed that the blocking temperature was about 75 K. The remanent magnetization and coercive field of the hybrid were 8.9 A·m2/kg and 26.3 kA/m, respectively, at 10 K.

BaTiO3 particle/polyvinylbutyral composite films were synthesized from titanium-organics and barium ions in aqueous solution using a direct current (dc) field. Titanium-organic films on stainless substrates were reacted with barium nitrate solution under dc field. BaTiO3 nanoparticles were formed in the precursor film at temperatures as low as 30 °C at atmospheric pressure. The crystallization of BaTiO3 particles was dependent on the synthetic conditions, such as applied field, reaction time, and temperature. Crystalline BaTiO3 particles were synthesized in the polymer matrix at 2.3 V/cm and 50 °C for 2 h. The absorption edge of BaTiO3 particle/polyvinylbutyral composite was 343 nm and was blue-shifted compared with that of micron-sized BaTiO3.

A CoFe2O4 particle/organic hybrid was synthesized using in situ processing of metalorganics of cobalt and iron below 100 °C. A mixture of cobalt (II) acetylacetonate (CA) and iron (III) 3-allylacetylacetonate (IAA) was hydrolyzed and polymerized yielding cobalt ferrite particle/organic hybrid. The crystallinity of cobalt ferrite depended upon the hydrolysis conditions of cobalt acetylacetonate-iron 3-allylacetylacetonate (CA-IAA). Nanocrystalline cobalt ferrite particles were uniformly dispersed in the organic matrix. The saturation magnetization of hybrid increased with increasing crystallinity of cobalt ferrite particles in the organic matrix. The hybrid showed a magnetization-applied field (BH) curve with no coercive force at room temperature. The magnetization versus H/T curves from 150 to 300 K were superimposed on the same curve and satisfied the Langevin equation. The hybrid revealed a saturation magnetization of 33.7 emu/g and a coercivity of 11 kOe at 4.2 K.

An Fe-doped ZnO particle/polymer hybrid was synthesized from zinc acrylate (ZA) and iron allylacetylacetonate (IAA) using methylhydrazine. Nanocrystalline ZnO particles were formed in the organic matrix by hydrolysis and polymerization of ZA itself below 100 °C. The crystallinity of undoped ZnO particles in the hybrid was dependent upon the synthesis conditions. Similarly, the ZnO phase was observed for the product formed from ZA-IAA. Transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis revealed that crystalline ZnO nanoparticles doped with Fe were dispersed in the organic matrix. The absorption edge of the undoped ZnO particle/polymer hybrid was blue-shifted with the decrease in size of the ZnO particles. On the other hand, the Fe-doped ZnO particle/polymer hybrid from ZA-IAA revealed a bathochromic shift of the absorption edge up to 600 nm.

A NiFe2O4 particle/organic hybrid was synthesized in situ from iron-organic and nickel organic compounds below 100 °C. A mixture of nickel (II) acetylacetonate (NA) and iron (III) 3-allylacetylacetonate (IAA) was hydrolyzed and polymerized yielding spinel oxide particle/oligomer hybrid. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the crystallinity of spinel particles was dependent upon the hydrolysis conditions of NA-IAA. Nanocrystalline nickel ferrite particles around 10 nm were uniformly dispersed in the organic matrix. The formation of nickel ferrite was confirmed by energy-dispersive x-ray and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The saturation magnetization of hybrid increased with increasing water amount for hydrolysis. Nano-sized nickel ferrite particle/organic hybrid showed a BH curve with no remanence above 75 K. The magnetization versus H/T curves at 300, 200, and 75 K were superimposed on the same curve and satisfied the Langevin equation. The remanent magnetization and coercive field of the hybrid were 7.4 emu/g and 460 Oe, respectively, at 5 K.

Nanocrystalline BaTiO3 particle–polymer hybrid was synthesized by polymerization and hydrolysis of [2-(methacryloxy)ethoxy]triisopropoxytitanium (MEPT) and barium alkoxide. The precursor for hybrid was synthesized from prepolymerized MEPT and barium alkokide, which was then hydrolyzed to form BaTiO3 particle–polymer hybrids below 100 °C. BaTiO3 particles increased in crystallinity when the amount of water for hydrolysis increased. The nanocrystalline particles were identified to be BaTiO3 by electron diffraction. Nanometer-sized BaTiO3 particle–polymer hybrid was shaped to a film with a dielectric constant of 8.2 at 10 kHz. A suspension consisting of the hybrid and silicone oil responded to a direct-current field, exhibiting a typical electrorheological behavior.

Adult female loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting in Japan use different feeding habitats as a function of body size. The Argos location data of two females inhabiting either oceanic or neritic habitats were analysed to infer their foraging and diving behaviour. There were no significant differences in the number of transmissions received per satellite pass, the number of locations per day, and the frequency of location-accuracy classes between oceanic and neritic females, implying that there was little difference in the time these two turtles stayed at the sea surface. Two possible forage-diving behaviours are suggested for these turtles: (1) both dive duration and depth were not different between the two feeding habitats; or (2) although dive duration was not different between feeding habitats, dive depth was different.

Nanocrystalline ZnO particle–polymer hybrid was synthesized by controlled polymerization and hydrolysis of zinc acrylate (ZA). 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra revealed the polymerization of ZA during hydrolysis in the presence of hydrazine at 65 °C for 24 h. Nanocrystalline ZnO particles were dispersed in the organic matrix through the polymerization–hydrolysis reaction of ZA using hydrazine or methylhydrazine. ZnO particles increased in crystallinity with increasing amount of water for hydrolysis in the system using hydrazine. Methylhydrazine was found to yield ZnO with higher crystallinity than that obtained using hydrazine. The nanocrystalline particles were identified to be ZnO by electron diffraction. ZnO particle–polymer hybrid was workable by mild heating into transparent films between silica plates. The absorption edge of the transparent ZnO particle–polymer hybrid film was blue-shifted depending on the size of ZnO particles.

A nondestructive method has been developed for quickly characterizing a 1 D crystalline structure. It required brilliant synchrotron x-rays in grazing incidence and an x-ray 2 D detector. X-ray patterns recorded on the detector showed anisotropically sheet-shape diffraction from NiO nanowires epitaxially grown on an ultra-smooth sapphire (0 0 0 1). Other shots obtained from Bi atomic wires embedded in Si (0 0 1) showed that the wires have a 2 × n superstructure, which indicated that the Bi-dimer bonds were parallel to the wires.

A nanocrystalline KNbO3 particle/polymer hybrid was synthesized through controlled hydrolysis and polymerization of metalorganics below 100 °C. A KNbO3 precursor was synthesized from potassium ethoxide, niobium ethoxide, and acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. The K–Nb alkoxide precursor was hydrolyzed and polymerized yielding KNbO3 particle/polymer hybrid. The organic matrix included nanometer-sized crystalline particles depending upon the hydrolysis conditions. The nanocrystalline particles were identified to be potassium niobate by electron diffraction and energy dispersive x-ray analysis. The suspension of the hybrid in silicone oil revealed a yield stress dependent upon various conditions, such as concentration and applied field. The hybridization was found to have a pronounced effect on the electrorheological properties of the fluid, including the KNbO3 particle/polymer hybrid.

Statoliths of the jumbo flying squid Dosidicus gigas (Cephalopoda: Ommastrephidae) in the eastern Pacific in 1995, 1996 (non-El Niño years) and 1997 (El Niño year) were analysed to observe whether unusual temperature increases due to El Niño was recorded in the concentration of trace elements. In addition to calcium (the major element), trace elements of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and strontium (Sr) were detected. Strontium concentration in the calcified tissue of some aquatic animals changes with environmental variables. However, yearly comparisons revealed that Sr concentration did not significantly differ between the El Niño year and non-El Niño years. Instead, the Sr concentration differed with squid habitats. Strontium concentration in statoliths of D. gigas from Peruvian waters (high salinity) was significantly higher than those from Costa Rican waters (low salinity) regardless of El Niño.

A transparent magnetic particle/organic film was synthesized from an iron–organic compound. Iron(III) 3-allylacetylacetonate (IAA) was polymerized followed by in situ hydrolysis yielding an iron oxide particle/oligomer hybrid. The sizes of magnetic particles were dependent upon the hydrolysis conditions of the IAA oligomers. A nanometer-sized ferrimagnetic iron oxide particle/oligomer hybrid showed a magnetization curve with no coercive force at 300 K and that with Hc of 200 Oe at 4.2 K, respectively. The magnetization versus H/T curves at 300 and 77 K were superimposed on each other and satisfied the Langevin equation. The transparent hybrid film showed a magnetization curve at room temperature. The absorption spectrum of the film was shifted to higher energy by 0.14 eV compared with that of bulk magnetite. The absorption edge of the film was blue-shifted.

The magnitude of geographical variations of stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen was examined in ten squid species captured in seven areas of the world's oceans. The average of all 139 squid was −17.4±1.4‰ for δ13C and 11.6±1.6‰ for δ15N. The δ13C of squid showed a clear-cut negative correlation with the latitude of the sampling locations, reflecting the well-known latitudinal characteristics of phytoplankton δ13C, while squid δ,15N did not correlate with the latitude significantly. The δ15N reflected the regional characteristics of nitrogen metabolism such as denitrification and N2 fixation, and it was conspicuous in the intraspecific variation in Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis ranging from 10.0±1.5‰ off Japan to 16.3±0.6‰ off Peru in the Pacific Ocean. Significant isotopic variations were also found in the local area among the five species off Japan in the Pacific Ocean and among the three species in the Japan Sea. Attention must be paid to the isotopic variations of primary producers as well as those of squid in examining the trophic positions of squid.

A nanocrystalline PbTiO3 particle/organic hybrid was synthesized through hydrolysis and polymerization of metalorganic compounds below 100 °C. The PbTiO3 precursor was synthesized from lead methacrylate and titanium isopropoxide. The formation of a Pb–Ti complex alkoxide was confirmed by H and Pb nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Hydrolyzed Pb–Ti alkoxide was polymerized, yielding the PbTiO3 particles/oligomer hybrid. The organic matrix included nano-sized crystalline particles, depending on the hydrolysis conditions. The nanocrystalline particles were identified to be lead titanate by electron diffraction and energy-dispersive x-ray analysis. The dielectric constant of the nanometer-sized PbTiO3/oligomer hybrid was 5.2 at 10 kHz.

Oval squid Sepioteuthis lessoniana hatchlings originated from maternally identical egg strings were incubated under constant temperature and examined with special reference to statolith formation. Statoliths of a hatchling already had an adult-like shape, and some increments were observed. In spite of the maternally identical origin and constant incubation temperature (25°C), dorsal mantle length and statolith length of the hatchlings varied from 4.70 to 6.26 mm and 320 to 410 μm, respectively (N=14). These variations had a positive correlation with the embryonic duration ranging from 22 to 27 d, which means that the size of body and statolith becomes larger in hatchlings hatching later.