3D AV entertainment system
Culture and Sports / Information and Communications / Society / Technology

An audio-visual entertainment system developed in the 21st century featuring a 3D sound map run through a VR system during playback, offering a vivid 3D-sound experience. The listener can control the 3D sound map with its 3D equalizer, making it possible to achieve the same audio experience regardless of their location in the room. The sound will follow the listener in real time, with the system making corrections for any acoustical changes caused by the layout of or type of materials present in the room. Capable of more than simple playback, it allows the listener to adjust specific frequencies of sounds as well, creating environments that raise alpha wave activity in the brain or contain 1/f noise, for example.

3D data code
Information and Communications / Society / Technology

A holographic data encoding method that allows for larger amounts of data to be sent than previous data processing techniques by adding a z-axis to a traditional 2D barcode. An example of its use would be its inclusion in the license plates on BCP's police cars. There are sensors located at various points around Beyond Coast that read these data codes and can use them to detect a vehicle's location and model, among other data, even during times of electronic interference.

adhesive carpet
Society / Technology

A type of carpet designed to make the floors of weightless areas easier to walk on. Called "theater carpet" by some, due to the sensation of sticky movie theater floors, a sensation also found in adhesive carpet. It is able to detect the shifting body weight of a walker as they move, and also allows for the level of adhesiveness to be adjusted. Works with all types of footwear. Developed at the beginning of the 21st century by a carpet manufacturer, it has since come into use in a number of places, such as spaceships and weightless areas of spaceports.

adjustable glass
Society / Technology

The molecules of liquid crystals change direction depending on the surrounding temperature, electric field, and magnetic field, causing optical changes in areas such as color and transparency to occur. With adjustable glass, a thin layer of liquid crystals is placed between two sheets of glass, allowing a person to freely change the permeability of the light entering the room, thus creating the effect of having blinds in front of the glass. In addition to liquid crystals, other substances such as oxidized tungsten are also used.

AID
Acronyms / Information and Communications / Technology

Acronym for Auto-analysis Identification Device. An analysis device equipped with various sensors such as a spectrograph, a gas chromatograph, and a geotechnical sounder, as well as an AI system. Also contains 3D measuring instruments like optical and atomic probes. Designed to assist with forensic analyses, the increase of which being the direct result of a soaring crime rate. Although it does not possess a complex AI with emotions and a personality, it is capable of compiling case facts, delivering accurate analysis results, making inferences, and drawing its own conclusions. Introduced at the beginning of the 21st century for cost-reduction purposes, it later fell into disuse after all police stations on Earth were joined under one network, and a centralized, large-scale analyzer was developed.

Victor Jurgens uses an AID he brought with him from Earth, containing a simple AI enhanced with a CG face. He has nicknamed it "Gorby", after the last president of the former Soviet Union.

artificial blood
Life Science / Technology

A type of blood developed to improve the oxygen and nutrient transportation efficiency of blood, as well as to provide a solution to the lack of blood available for transfusions. Based mainly on substances such as perfluorocarbons and fluorescein diacetate, which were used in the latter half of the 20th century for storing organs, it is also called "milk blood", because its red blood cells are white in color. It does indeed possess superior oxygen transportation efficiency and regenerative abilities, but the heavy burden it places on the kidneys makes it necessary for them to be genetically modified and for the user to undergo regular hemodialysis before it can be used for extended periods of time. For these reasons, it is not permitted for medical use among the general public; it is presently only authorized for use within the military and in members of BCP's AP Unit. In addition to milk blood, there is a second-generation powder type made with genetically modified hemoglobin, and a third-generation type containing 100% artificial blood cells, but both of these types are still undergoing clinical trials.

A person using artificial blood has their original blood placed in cryogenic storage and can switch back to it at any time.

artificial organ
Life Science / Technology

Any one of a group of man-made organs developed as replacements for human organs such as the heart and kidneys. Artificial organs designed for permanent use currently do not exist; they are mainly used in bridge-to-transplants as temporary replacements until a donor can be found. There are hybrid organs in development that combine organic tissue with synthetic materials, but creating fully functional replacements for organs such as the pancreas and the liver remains challenging.

bent cigarette
Culture and Sports / Society / Technology

The only type of cigarette that still produces secondary smoke. It is lit simply by bending the end of the cigarette, and similarly, bending the filter extinguishes it. Since the chemical reaction it utilizes does not produce any ash, an ashtray is not necessary with this type of cigarette, and it has also reduced the littering of cigarette butts as well as lowering the risk of fire associated with cigarettes. Furthermore, as it does not give off secondary smoke, a known cause of cancer and other diseases, its effects on surrounding people are extremely limited. Due to the addition of ignition and extinguishing parts, it is somewhat longer than a conventional cigarette. Sold exclusively in certain areas on Earth.

Jonathan Ingram smokes mixed cigarettes, an offshoot of the bent cigarette, composed of chemically processed leaves and conventional dried leaves at a 7-to-3 ratio. This composition results in them giving off a little ash and smoke.

Beyond Coast
Outer Space / Society / Technology

Mankind's first space colony, completed in 2010. It orbits around Lagrangian point L5, one of the 2 most stable gravitational areas around the Earth in relation to the Earth and the Moon (the other being L4). The circle it makes with the Moon and 2 of the other Lagrangian points, likened to the shores of the vast ocean of outer space, has given it the name "Beyond Coast". It is the first and last O'Neill colony, shaped like a cylinder. It makes a full rotation every 2 minutes, creating artificial gravity nearly equal to 1G. It has 3 mirrors for gathering solar rays and can produce the effect of night by closing them for 8 hours. The mirrors also serve as radiation shields.

The other reason the colony was named Beyond Coast is because its climate is based on that of the west coast of America. Its energy needs are supplied by solar energy stations positioned outside the colony, in addition to nuclear reactors.

The colony is approximately 4 miles in diameter and 20 miles long. The total surface area of any one of its 3 surfaces is 56 square miles. The combined 3.5-mile thickness of the cylinder and its atmosphere helps reduce the cosmic radiation drawn in by the mirrors to 0.5 rem all year round. It is also equipped with protective shields that automatically lower during times of intense radiation bombardment.

Parts of the colony's outer walls and mirrors have since deteriorated with age; the ISPA is studying a plan to replace all of the colony's parts over the next 10 years.

bimodal system
Society / Technology

A transportation system designed to alleviate the effects of traffic jams by giving vehicles the ability to drive on railway lines. On Beyond Coast, it is intended for use by emergency vehicles such as police cars and ambulances.

biodegradable plastic
Life Science / Society / Technology

A type of plastic that breaks down into hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon within 1 to 2 weeks when mixed with compost. The accumulation of plastic materials in landfills had been a problem since the latter half of the 20th century until the development of this plastic at the beginning of the 21st. Modern biodegradable plastic is made primarily out of a lactic acid polymer, with the lactic acid obtained by fermenting various starches. It can then be injection molded, or processed into film or fiber. It has simultaneously solved both the waste disposal problem and the oxygen replenishment problem on Beyond Coast, with all products required to be made out of biodegradable plastic wherever possible.

biomechanics
Life Science / Technology

A field of science that, among other areas, studies the flight mechanisms of animals and plants and applies these findings to engineering. There are many organisms in nature possessing mechanisms that allow them to fly extremely long distances while only using very small amounts of energy; this science uses these discoveries to make new advances in man-made flight.

The flight mechanisms used in EMPS and massquitoes were created with technology developed in this field.

biovestite
Culture and Sports / Life Science / Society / Technology

A person who has undergone sex reassignment treatment at the genetic level, instead of via previous techniques such as surgery and hormone treatment; therefore, it is also possible for a woman to become a man with this method. While not permitted by law in most industrialized countries, sex change operations are conducted in many developing countries. However, because gene therapy sex changes require highly specialized facilities, it is thought that the number of people actually performing them is extremely limited.

bone marrow transplantation
Life Science / Technology

A treatment for blood diseases such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, malignant lymphoma, and various immunodeficiency diseases, where bone marrow stem cells are taken from a donor and implanted into a recipient, allowing them to once again produce healthy blood. It was once also used to combat the decreased bone marrow function that can occur as a side effect of cancer treatment. The recipient's diseased hematopoietic stem cells, the cells responsible for creating new blood, are killed off with radiation and then substituted with the donor's healthy bone marrow. However, if the donor and recipient do not possess matching HLA types, a severe rejection reaction will occur following the transplant. There were previously numerous cases of a rejection reaction occurring even when HLA types matched, resulting in low success rates, but success rates have since risen considerably by giving the recipient substances such as biological proteins before the procedure, thereby reducing the occurrence of such reactions.

It was once necessary to remove approximately 1 liter of stem cells directly from the donor's femur, which resulted in the donor having to be hospitalized and placed under anesthesia, but it is now possible to extract stem cells from the bloodstream, or what is known as peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Following extraction, the stem cells are then cultured in a laboratory. This type of transplant has also virtually eliminated the number of accidents during procedures.

bridge-to-transplant
Life Science / Technology

A method of temporarily extending a person's life through artificial or animal organs until a matching organ donor can be found. There are many cases of patients whose lives have been extended through the use of large-sized artificial organs as replacements for failed organs. Almost all artificial organs are still neither small nor durable, and are therefore used mainly as a temporary measure.

burst line
Information and Communications / Society / Technology

A private communications exchange terminal that uses codified information and burst transmission. Television stations such as BBC have set up their own burst lines as a means of obtaining information from sources, and many businesses and individuals also use their own such network to collect information, rather than any public network. A burst line compresses and codes information in real time, transmits it, and then decompresses and decodes it in real time, with virtually no time lag between the sender and the receiver. Nearly all communications systems employ this method of coded communication, as the world stands on the verge of yet another information explosion. In order to maintain a high processing speed, video or images are not usually sent.

chaos system
Culture and Sports / Society / Technology

A logic system that allows for irregular changes in a machine's operation, unlike previous stable logic systems. With the implementation of chaos systems in air conditioners and lighting equipment, among other appliances, the user can experience a level of comfort that also contains an appropriate amount of variation. Can now be found in numerous facilities and products.

charge station
Society / Technology

On Beyond Coast, any act that would pollute the air and disrupt the CELESS, such as the burning of fossil fuels, is strictly prohibited. All vehicles use mainly clean electric energy; therefore, the colony contains charge stations in place of gas stations, with it taking about as much time to charge a vehicle as it does to fill one up with gasoline on Earth. Furthermore, in order to prevent any damage to the environment from heavy metals, all vehicle batteries are recovered and disposed of properly after use.

cold sleep
Life Science / Outer Space / Technology

An artificial sleep induced by lowering the body's temperature and having it use only the minimum amount of energy necessary to keep itself alive. As controlling the body's temperature is extremely difficult, this method requires a special capsule equipped with an electronic freezing device. Post-thaw muscle atrophy, among other issues, was a problem surrounding early cold sleep techniques, but this has since been overcome through studying the hibernation of bears. Cold sleep is also now called "hibernation" for this reason.

However, because certain aspects of cold sleep, namely its safety, still remain unclear, it has yet to be permitted for official use. Astronauts are therefore forced to endure long-distance space flights without the luxury of cold sleep, a fact that has led to the spread of illegal drugs throughout space.

The Yuri involved in the Yuri accident of 2013 was connected to an early version of the survival ball cold sleep unit. The accident turned out to be valuable test data for cold sleep, helping to improve the technology.

Astronaut Jonathan Ingram's 25 years is the record for the longest amount of time a person has spent in cold sleep.

cypusloidine
Life Science / Technology

An immunosuppressive drug developed by Tokugawa Pharmaceuticals. Able to completely suppress post-transplant rejection reaction, it led to the widespread adoption of organ transplantation. Unlike previous immunosuppressive drugs, it contained no side effects and only affected the transplanted cells, and was widely used until the development of transplant technology that prevents any rejection reaction, such as masked transplantation.

DDS
Acronyms / Life Science / Technology

Acronym for drug delivery system. A system for delivering drugs that reduces side effects by giving organs and tissue only the necessary amount of a drug, while limiting its distribution to other areas of the body. The delivery systems can be classified as: transdermal, transmucosal, alimentary, and injection. In addition, other drugs such as sustained-release drugs, prodrugs, and antedrugs are also part of the DDS class, as is Tokugawa Pharmaceuticals's K Series.

drug identification code
Life Science / Technology

The mark or code printed on a drug or its packaging to differentiate it from other products. Each pharmaceutical company has its own identification codes, with most codes now holographic. There are also some drugs whose code changes color once it has reached its expiration date, in order to alert the user.

EMPS
Acronyms / Outer Space / Technology

Acronym for Extravehicular Mobility Police Suit. A mobile police suit for use both inside and outside space colonies, jointly developed by Tokugawa Heavy Industries and BCP. Originally designed for tasks like preserving order and performing maintenance work outside Beyond Coast. Its bilateral master-slave manipulator allows for an unrestricted seven degrees of freedom, just like the human body, and it also does not contain any singular points. It is a machine with its own sensory feedback, created by combining advanced operations robotics technology with feedback functions applied from VR and teleexistence. Efficient advanced operations are now possible by having a human pilot compensate for a robot's cognizance time lag.

EMPS are equipped with various sensors and communication systems as well as emergency food rations. The Yuri model, piloted by Astronaut Jonathan Ingram during a test space walk, was an early EMPS prototype developed as a successor to devices such as the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) and the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). Numerous improvements have since been made by incorporating technology from planetary exploration probes and other advanced operations robots, the results of which include the completion of the Goddard model, the primary EMPS in use by BCP; the Oberth model, an EMPS used for mining on the Moon; and the Von Braun military EMPS prototype.

Tokugawa Heavy Industries currently controls all EMPS development, production, and maintenance.

Frozener
Life Science / Outer Space / Society / Technology

A person created from an artificially fertilized egg held in cryogenic storage by the government, which is then later transferred to a surrogate mother for gestation and delivery. A Frozener's egg is inserted with genetic information that makes the individual better adapted to space's environment and allows them to endure a wide range of activities in space that would give a normal person great difficulty. Since Frozeners are legally in a special class of their own, they are tattooed with an identification code on their forehead. Frozeners are very common on Beyond Coast and are not discriminated against in any way by other Beyonds. Many are employed by the military or work in government positions. Frozeners call the government, who raise them, "Breeders". It is rumored that they are given anti-aging treatment through telomere lengthening.

Goddard
Outer Space / Technology

A mass-produced EMPS model employed by AP. Named after Dr. Robert H. Goddard, hailed as the father of modern rocketry. It uses a large, removable hydrogen engine flight unit and is capable of hover flight within Beyond Coast, able to patrol the entire colony in approximately 30 minutes. It is equipped with various sensors, analyzers, and communication devices, and is outfitted with extremely strong Chobham armor. Furthermore, it can also perform operations and medium-distance flights outside the colony. A parachute is used for landings inside the colony. The actual removal of the flight unit is a one-touch procedure, but a special collection team is required to gather the units after separation. Armed with a 9mm automatic machine gun.

This is the type of EMPS piloted by Tony Redwood.

helium air conditioning system
Outer Space / Technology

Almost all Lunar bases employ lighting similar in wavelength to the light produced from the Sun, due to the cycle of approximately 14 days of daytime and 13 days of nighttime on the Moon. Sunlight is captured during Lunar daytime by solar cells, then delivered around the base via a solar ray transport system. The heat this system produces is cooled by placing refrigerated helium in the walls and ceilings of the base, a so-called helium air conditioning system, where the radiation from the helium cools the base. Bases use helium because it will not freeze even when exposed to the super-low temperatures experienced during nighttime on the Moon, which can reach as low as minus 274 degrees Fahrenheit.

This rather simple air conditioning system can also be found on the Tokugawa Moon Plant.

helium-3
Outer Space / Technology

A helium isotope containing one less neutron than ordinary helium. Almost nonexistent on Earth, it is found in relatively large quantities on the Moon and is used for energy on Lunar bases. It is particularly valued for its use in nuclear fusion, as it does not give off any secondary radiation. There is currently a large-scale movement to try and use helium-3 not just on the Moon, but on Earth and other space bases as well.

The Tokugawa Moon Plant currently controls all helium-3 mining and processing.

hydrogen engine
Technology

An internal combustion engine that uses hydrogen for fuel. Hydrogen had already been gathering attention last century as a possible replacement for fossil fuels, with many even calling it mankind's ultimate energy source. The only by-product of hydrogen when combusted is water vapor; it does not produce any carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming, nor any nitrogen oxides, which pollute the atmosphere. The construction of Beyond Coast, which needs to maintain its CELESS to survive, helped advance research in this area considerably. It is also possible to store large amounts of hydrogen in metal hydrides, or compounds containing hydrogen in combination with other substances; these have reduced the amount of necessary fuel storage space compared to previous combustion engines.

Its high energy conversion rate has led to the use of the hydrogen engine in the flight units of BCP's EMPS. There is also research being conducted to examine whether this type of engine can be used in motor vehicles on Beyond, which currently operate purely on electric and solar energy.

ICU
Life Science / Technology

Acronym for Intensive Care Unit. Also known as a "cocoon". A hospital ward designed to monitor the bodily functions, including breathing and circulation, of critically injured or post-operative patients. A patient can be monitored around the clock here, with an artificial respirator to assist or replace spontaneous breathing, an electrocardiogram for observing heart function, and various systems for replenishing bodily fluids and providing the body with nutrients. The ICU also allows hospital staff to respond immediately to any sudden worsening of a patient's condition. BCCH boasts the largest and most advanced ICU on Beyond Coast; the hospital has also been designated the colony's emergency response facility.

Furthermore, an ICU allows a patient to be isolated in a sterile environment for extended periods of time, should they develop an immunodeficiency disease. Their waste products can be removed, they can be provided nourishment through intravenous tubes, and their body can be cleaned all while remaining in protective isolation. All the know-how and technology acquired from the development of spacesuits, cold sleep pods, and monitoring systems for the elderly have been used to refine the ICU over the years, to the point where it has now become semiautomated.

lift gun
Outer Space / Society / Technology

A gun, created to be usable in weightlessness, which produces no recoil. The moment a bullet leaves the gun's muzzle there is a second explosion, with the bullet acting like a missile, thus preventing any noticeable recoil from occurring. Named after the phrase "lift off", in reference to the first stage of a rocket launch. Almost all guns used in outer space are now lift guns. It has become popular among criminals as the "untraceable gun", since it leaves no rifling mark on its bullets, nor does it expel cartridges. The barrel of a lift gun also serves little purpose, as the primary explosion takes place immediately outside the gun. In order to compensate for the jolt this causes, a lift gun allows the user to lock onto a target with its laser sight. The decreased importance of the barrel has made it possible to reduce the size of the gun considerably.

They are also favored by female police officers who do not like the smell of gunpowder, synonymous with recoil guns, since lift guns produce little smoke when fired. The cost of just one bullet, also known as a missile round, still remains quite high, but some say this has helped enforce the system of total gun control in place on Beyond Coast.

All guns used by BCP are lift guns.

linear elevator
Society / Technology

An elevator that moves its cars by using a linear motor to raise and lower balance weights. It does not require a hoist mechanism or hydraulic device like traditional elevators, reducing the amount of required space as well as offering lower energy consumption, faster movement, a more comfortable ride, and more accurate stops between car and floor doors. Can be found in places such as the Tokugawa Building.

linear railway
Society / Technology

The magnetically levitated high-speed intelligent railway system, the only mass transportation system on Beyond Coast. Also known as the linear rail. Has a top speed of 311 miles per hour. It uses smart railcars driven by linear motors, capable of real-time status monitoring via a series of actuators, as well as automatic navigation adjustment. There are 2 types of railway lines on Beyond – the Oval Lines and the Circle Lines. The Oval Lines travel around each of the colony's 3 surface areas, while the Circle Lines move between the 3 surface areas. Since its trains do not make contact with the ground, they produce little noise or vibration, making it the ideal transportation system for a space colony.

linear skirt
Technology

A propulsion device attached to the underside of all police cars that allows the cars to drive on linear railway tracks. It is part of a bimodal system, letting police officers use the tracks to bypass accidents or traffic jams in an emergency. However, this is only permitted in the event of an absolute emergency, due to the wear this causes to the tracks. Other vehicles such as ambulances and linear railway maintenance cars are also equipped with a linear skirt.

LSM
Acronyms / Outer Space / Technology

Acronym for Lunar Shuttle Module. A spacecraft that conducts flights between Lunar-orbiting space stations and installations on the Lunar surface.

Made in Space
Outer Space / Society / Technology

The technique of manufacturing products using the microgravity and high vacuum nature of outer space. Tokugawa Pharmaceuticals was the first drug company to develop Made in Space versions of drugs such as interferon and urokinase, achieving rapid success. Most of the microgravity manufacturing technology used to produce Made in Space products – everything from pharmaceuticals to new synthetic materials and zero G kits – is patented, and therefore controlled, by Tokugawa. This new field of business, which has made products more desirable simply by being made under weightlessness, is known as the microgravity business, and is the hottest industry today after the bio sector. Furthermore, applying the principles of zero gravity to bio technology has given birth to another industry called the space bio sector.

The Tokugawa Group famously purchased the Mir space station from Russia at the beginning of the 21st century, using it to develop pharmaceuticals under microgravity.

Mars, first manned mission to
Outer Space / Society / Technology

A joint project between Japan, America, and Russia, carried out in 2012 behind the words, "Onward to Mars." The four participating astronauts, which included Jonathan Ingram, who was undergoing his Policenauts training at the time, were the first human beings to land on Mars, spending a considerable amount of time there. The project was funded by the governments of the 3 participating countries as well as various private corporations, leading some to call the project more of a business trip than a scientific expedition. The astronauts traveled in a separate ship from their cargo, employing the so-called dedicated cargo ship method. The entire return trip, including the time spent on Mars, took approximately 1.5 years. The voyage also gathered attention with its use of the first large-scale spaceship to employ its own artificial gravity.

The astronauts famously encountered the rover Sojourner on the surface, which was sent to Mars in 1996 as part of the Mars Pathfinder mission. The first manned Mars mission was the biggest space event since the first Apollo landing in 1969, generating interest from all over the world.

masked transplantation
Life Science / Technology

A transplant method that does not affect the recipient's immune system by masking an organ's class I HLA antigens with antibody fragments before transplantation. This method has eliminated the occurrence of rejection reactions with organ transplants, previously their biggest problem.

The development of masked transplantation, in addition to ending the age of Tokugawa's revolutionary immunosuppressive drug, cypusloidine, greatly changed the image surrounding organ transplants as well.

mass catcher
Outer Space / Technology

A device that catches materials launched by the mass driver. Also known as a bucket cone. Built around a net employing electromagnetic force, it can slow payloads to a stop without even touching them. In addition, the catch frame has its own search laser, enabling it to catch materials accurately and safely. Materials caught are then sent to L4 and L5 via cargo ship.

mass driver
Outer Space / Technology

A linear motor-driven catapult used for transporting materials. Located on the Moon, its acceleration system allows its payloads to reach escape velocity and break free from the Moon's gravity, making it an economical way to transport Lunar minerals and other materials out into space.

There are 2 components to the mass driver – the guideway and the buckets. The guideway contains a series of wire propulsion coils positioned along its surface, and the buckets, or the capsules that carry the payloads until they reach the end of the guideway, contain levitation coils underneath them. The bottom of the buckets are also outfitted with superconductive magnets, with an alternating current sent through both them and the guideway. The strong repellant force of the electromagnetic field created is used to accelerate the buckets along the guideway; as the bucket nears the center of a propulsion coil, the coil is switched off and the next one switched on, until the bucket reaches the end of the guideway, at which point it releases its payload out into space at a speed of just over 1.5 miles per second. Since the mass driver does not require any type of fuel, such as liquid hydrogen or liquid oxygen, its operating costs are much lower than a rocket-based system.

massquito
Life Science / Technology

A micromachine medical robot jointly developed by Tokugawa Heavy Industries and Tokugawa Pharmaceuticals. A portmanteau of the words "mass" and "mosquito". Designed to resemble and behave like the mosquito, it is intended for use in drawing blood from people or animals for blood exams as well as administering shots. It is also being studied for possible use as a replacement for biological pesticides, since it would not disturb the CELESS. However, a series of accidents and ethical questions have prevented it from being officially permitted for any use. More than serving the medical world, the massquito has instead helped advance micromachine technology.

master-slave manipulator
Outer Space / Technology

A system for controlling a machine via a device that reads human movement. The introduction of EMPS has made this type of control system a reality. Originally developed to try to make possible teleexistence, for work in extreme areas. The subtle movement of the muscles in the operator's body is transformed into mechanical movement; conversely, it allows for more precise operation by transferring the sensation of any objects around the machine to the operator's sense of touch. It also features a joint structure free from any singular points, which had imposed limits on the capabilities of previous manipulators.

medical accessory
Culture and Sports / Life Science / Society / Technology

A DDS fashion accessory built out of an alloy containing a particular drug, which is absorbed into the body at the points of contact between the skin and the metal. Many types are available, including rings, bracelets, and earrings. A number of medical professionals are concerned that with conventional medical treatments such as pills, which require regular doses, there is the possibility that patients might forget to take a dose, which would reduce the effectiveness of the medication. With a medical accessory, all patients have to do is simply wear it to ensure they get the proper dosage of their medication.

The designs of medical accessories have been gradually refined over the years, to the point where they cannot be distinguished from normal fashion accessories. Some are even more desirable than normal accessories, with one in particular, a bracelet for treating peptic ulcers devised by a famous fashion company, achieving widespread popularity with its creative design. However, since they are only issued for medical purposes and are not sold to the general public, there have been numerous cases in recent history of young women intentionally developing an ulcer just so they can wear one.

micromachine
Life Science / Technology

A micro-sized machine, several hundredths of 1 millimeter to several centimeters in size, composed of micro-sized mechanical parts and drive mechanisms. Examples include various micro-sized medical robots; the massquito, developed by Tokugawa Heavy Industries and Tokugawa Pharmaceuticals, is a type of micromachine. A more common type of machine is a nanomachine, its use of organic parts allowing it to be even smaller than a micromachine.

Narc
Life Science / Society / Technology

A semi-synthetic narcotic composed of a natural drug, a synthetic drug, and a hallucinogen, engineered through supercomputer-aided drug design. Nicknamed "the drug". It is made by combining opium taken from black poppy pods with a pethidine-based synthetic drug, and then to that adding a hallucinogen containing lysergic acid derivatives obtained from ergot alkaloids. Mixing this particularly potent genetically engineered opium extract with a chemical structure nonexistent in the natural world produces a narcotic and hallucinogenic effect never before seen with any drug. It was popular among astronauts seeking to relieve the psychological strain that comes with being in outer space. It then spread quickly with the start of long-distance space flights and the completion of bases on the Moon and Mars, with people looking for a way to deal with the extended periods of time in space associated with such jobs.

The drug is so powerful that even a few milligrams can be fatal. This makes it difficult to detect in drug tests, as people take it in extremely small doses, meaning it does not become very concentrated in the body. Narc also attaches to opioid peptides, natural opiates that originate in the pituitary gland of the mammalian brain, doubling the effects of the morphine it contains.

Rumor has it that the mafia and certain other organizations are responsible for Narc. It is said that approximately 20% of adults on Beyond Coast have tried at least one illegal drug at some point in their life, a rate second only to America, which is still fighting its war on drugs.

O'Neill colony
Outer Space / Technology

A cylinder-shaped space colony proposed by Dr. Gerard K. O'Neill. Beyond Coast is the first and last O'Neill colony. Designed by American and European engineers, the shortcomings discovered with the colony, combined with Tokugawa's political influence, have meant that another O'Neill model will not be built. This has led some to argue that the ISPA and Tokugawa are too closely connected. The only designs thus far implemented for mid-sized and above colonies have been the O'Neill model and the torus model, with others, such as the dumbbell and sphere models, yet to be realized.

Oberth
Outer Space / Technology

An unregistered EMPS used on the Tokugawa Moon Plant for various plant operations and defense purposes. Named after Dr. Hermann Oberth, one of the founding fathers of rocketry and astronautics. It was designed and constructed solely by the Tokugawa Group, and as such the Tokugawa logo can be found on its body. Used mainly for mining and transport work, with its pilot wearing a hard suit while onboard. One of its notable features is its 2 large manipulator arms, used for excavating and transporting materials.

Outer Space Medical Examination System
Life Science / Outer Space / Society / Technology

The system set up to help prevent a pathogen like a virus from entering a closed environment such as a space colony. All spaceports are staffed by specialist doctors who perform a full space medical exam on all arriving persons.

P300 lie detector
Life Science / Society / Technology

A lie detector designed to analyze P300 brain waves, which are given off when, among other situations, a person recognizes a familiar object. On Earth, the use of this lie detector along with brain imaging techniques such as MRI has become an important form of evidence at legal trials. Science has now unlocked many of the previously unsolved mysteries of the human brain, with lawyers taking a more physiological approach to cases as a result.

Picno 8
Culture and Sports / Information and Communications / Society / Technology

The latest model in the Picno series of handheld graphic computers first released by Konami at the end of the 20th century. It is the size of a standard handheld drawing board and works with its own pen. Its built-in solar cell makes it convenient for portable use, and it can connect to a printer for making printouts. Features several drawing modes, from watercolors to oil paints. It offers a Visual Field Screen to allow for stress-free drawing even in large crowds of people, and G Pixel Stability for drawing in zero gravity.

The graphic computer Marc Brown carries around with him is a Picno 8.

Specs
* 64-bit bus with custom RISC CPU (including 16 48-bit DSP chips)
* 1536x1152 resolution 48-bit color screen
* Real-time 3D rendering, wireframe modeling, and various imaging effects

police car
Technology

The patrol car used on Beyond Coast by BCP. It produces no exhaust emissions whatsoever, in accordance with the clean energy requirement in place on the colony. It is 6 parts electric-, 4 parts solar-powered, and is also equipped with a linear skirt, which allows it to drive on the linear railway tracks to bypass accidents or traffic jams in an emergency.

The license plates utilize a 3D data code system, the data in which can be read in real time. The car also has its own onboard AI system, making it a smart car, but it allows for manual operation as well, used when pursuing a suspect, for instance. The body is constructed out of a full carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis.

Prop
Outer Space / Society / Technology

Slang for the Tokugawa Group's headquarters on Beyond Coast. Called the Prop because it looks as if it serves as a support pillar for the colony, extending for several dozen miles from one of its surface areas to the opposite window side. A famous tourist spot on Beyond, it is also an important example of modern space architecture. Its central area, a weightless area several miles long, called the Garden, is a frequent topic of discussion in Earth's media. All rooms, including the president's office, its several auditoriums, and employee offices, are outfitted with optical fibers and linked to a satellite communications system, allowing for real-time communication throughout space. It is said the Prop is more similar to Earth than any other place on the colony. The building itself is managed by its own CELESS, so should an accident occur inside the colony, it would still be able to function by itself. This has led some to criticize Tokugawa for having their own personal "shelter" on Beyond.

PVR
Acronyms / Culture and Sports / Information and Communications / Society / Technology

Acronym for personal virtual reality. A virtual reality system designed for home use, consisting of a data suit, visor, computer, and network connection. Numerous types of software can be downloaded.

quick tie
Culture and Sports / Society / Technology

A one-touch necktie made out of shape memory alloy fibers. Developed by the fashion industry as a way to maintain the position of a tie even while in zero gravity, it has become popular among young people on Earth as well, since it is easy to both tie and remove.

The long-standing tradition of a business suit and tie continues on in outer space.

radio-controlled watch
Information and Communications / Technology

A wristwatch that automatically makes daily corrections to its displayed time via an ultra-sensitive miniature antenna that receives a radio signal from an atomic clock containing the correct time. Its time base will fluctuate by only 1 second every 10,000 years. If it cannot obtain a radio signal, it will automatically switch over to a built-in sensor that will make any necessary adjustments to the time. Found mainly on Earth. It is rarely used in space, where the constant bombardment of cosmic rays interferes with its reception.

This is the type of watch Jonathan Ingram received from Lorraine.

Rebirther
Life Science / Society / Technology

A type of cloned human created from the DNA of a famous historical figure such as an actor or model. The law prohibits anyone from "Rebirthing" a person until 20 years after the person's death. Although they are genetically identical, a Rebirther is not regarded as the same person as the one that originally existed. The law now requires that Rebirthers be differentiated from the original person by placing identification tags on the Rebirther's chromosomes.

In reality Rebirthers are not very common, though some can be found within the Tokugawa Group. Such individuals are legally regarded as members of the Tokugawa family.

reinforced lumber
Outer Space / Society / Technology

A type of wood made by soaking dampened wood in a barium chloride solution, followed by an ammonium chloride solution. The result is a wood that does not burn or rot, perfect for use in construction. Almost all of the non-synthesized lumber used on Beyond Coast is reinforced lumber. The use of real, untreated lumber on Beyond is prohibited by the colony's Architectural Regulations.

remote ticket
Information and Communications / Society / Technology

A ticket card containing an IC chip with a radio wave transmitter that allows a person to pass through a ticket gate at a linear railway station without having to insert the ticket into a machine. A card reader can read the ticket even while inside a person's pocket or handbag, at the same time recording where the person entered and exited the train system.

All BCP police badges are compatible with this system, allowing officers to freely move about the colony.

ruthenium tetroxide fingerprint identification method
Technology

A fingerprint identification method employing ruthenium, a metallic element from the platinum group. Different from the ninhydrin method, which utilizes the ninhydrin reaction, the ruthenium tetroxide method can produce clean fingerprints from an area simply by exposing it to a reagent gas for 2 minutes.

scramjet engine
Outer Space / Technology

Abbreviation of supersonic combustion ramjet engine. A type of air-breathing engine that obtains propulsion by taking in air at supersonic speeds, then compressing it and mixing it (utilizing ram pressure) with fuel at several points throughout the engine. The controlled expansion of this mixture produces net thrust, with an optimum flying speed of between Mach 10 and Mach 25. Can be found in almost all hypersonic and exoatmospheric aircraft as well as spaceplanes. Called the scramjet engine because it works through the supersonic intake of air and its combustion with fuel, usually hydrogen, via ram pressure. Also known as a scram engine. Differs from a ramjet engine in that it keeps the air moving at supersonic speeds, whereas a ramjet engine slows the supersonic airflow to subsonic speeds.

semi-hard spacesuit
Outer Space / Technology

A fifth-generation extravehicular spacesuit put into use after the turn of the century. Developed to overcome the previously existing problems with soft suits, such as the long depressurization time and extra ventilation equipment required. By making parts of a spacesuit hard, it is possible to maintain the internal pressure of the suit at 55.2 kilopascals, which prevents the wearer from developing decompression sickness. The suit also allows for more freedom of movement by using soft carbon fiber resin and urethane resin in selected parts like the arms, legs, and boots. This has helped scientists reduce the weight of the suit considerably, which is only 77 pounds under 1G. The inside of the helmet also contains a heads-up display, an eye-point sensor, a VRE camera, a communicator, and a drinking tube connected to a water supply.

Hard spacesuits, which are 100% hard, are employed on Mars and other extreme areas, but all other extravehicular spacesuits, including those worn on the Moon, have become semi-hard suits. The suit became famous after it was placed on the Policenauts crest in 2013.

solar cell
Outer Space / Technology

A device that converts solar energy into electric energy. Numerous solar cells employing silicon semiconductors could be found during the 20th century, but the highest energy conversion rates they ever achieved were no more than 20%. However, with the major advances in production environments that came with moving out into space, scientists succeeded in developing an amorphous semiconductor composed of silicon, tellurium, and arsenic, previously impossible, with an energy conversion rate of 60%. Furthermore, previous solar cells could only convert a very narrow wavelength of the Sun's rays into energy, but with the introduction of this amorphous semiconductor, cells can now convert the entire electromagnetic spectrum into energy. Beyond Coast's 3 mirrors employ such hybrid solar cells, which supply over 70% of the colony's total energy needs. All solar cars on the colony also use these cells and this conversion system.

solar ray transport system
Outer Space / Society / Technology

A lighting system that transports sunlight into a room using optical fibers. It is possible to transport not just visible light, but ultraviolet and infrared light as well.

space debris
Outer Space / Society / Technology

Also known as space junk or space garbage. Refers to the debris floating outside the atmosphere in Earth orbit, much of it consisting of abandoned satellites in geostationary orbit and rocket fragments in high Earth orbit. There are regulations regarding space debris contained in The Convention on the International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects, implemented in 1972, if one examines the document with a loose interpretation; however, the amount of space debris continues to accumulate every year, with collisions between objects resulting in even more debris, some forming complex fields of material. These fields inflict damage on other satellites, rockets, and spaceplanes. A strict system of control for space debris is currently being studied.

The presence of space debris has become a serious problem for all objects operating in low Earth orbit or above. The possible end of all space exploration and development due to a massive field of space debris enveloping the Earth is known as the Kessler Syndrome.

space infrastructure
Outer Space / Technology

Refers to the network of outposts, both manned and unmanned, located in outer space and on celestial bodies. The various ground facilities that support the transportation network between these outposts and Earth are also included under this heading. Tokugawa was one of the first organizations to participate in space development, exploring the business aspects of the field as it continued to buy up Russia's space technology. It constructed most of these outposts and facilities, and utilizes them as part of its business model.

space weather forecast
Culture and Sports / Information and Communications / Outer Space / Society / Technology

A forecast designed to predict the arrival of large doses of radiation and magnetic storms caused by solar flares. Solar flares, released from the surface of the Sun, can have various harmful effects not only on the human body, but on computers and other sensitive equipment as well. Space weather forecasting aims to predict these before they happen and inform people of when they will occur via television, radio, and the Internet. When a flare does occur, scientists can estimate the size of the flare and any effects the resulting solar wind might have by observing the wavelength and time intervals of the radiation released during the several stages of the flare, and issue reports and warnings as necessary.

Shield warnings are issued during times of intense radiation, with a colony's outer walls and block shields lowered for protection. All extravehicular space activity and the takeoff of space flights are prohibited during this time.

spaceplane
Outer Space / Society / Technology

A return-trip space passenger plane developed for the era of mass space transportation as a replacement for the Space Shuttle. Takeoff is accomplished via an Air Turbo Ramjet engine, followed by acceleration to Mach 12 via a scramjet engine, after which the plane switches over to a rocket engine for space flight. There are currently 6 companies offering spaceplane flights to and from outer space. With the introduction of spaceplane flights, traveling into space has become a reality for the ordinary person. The most popular airlines are America's American Space Lines and Japan's Nippon Space Lines, based on their service, cost, and safety record.

SQUID handcuffs
Technology

Abbreviation for Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices handcuffs. A pair of handcuffs containing SQUID materials placed inside superconductive pieces of metal. SQUID handcuffs are comprised of 2 metal bracelets connected by electricity, and are capable of detecting the subtle changes in the human body's magnetic field brought on by mental processes such as emotional stress. Their selling point is the ability of their connection to adjust to the wearer's mental state.

This is the type of handcuff used by BCP.

survival ball
Outer Space / Technology

A one-man rescue pod designed to offer a lifeline to its occupant in the event of an accident in outer space. Also known as a rescue ball. Devised during the Shuttle Era, all small-scale spacecraft are required to have one, as per the Outer Space Safety Regulations. The large-scale lifepods designed to hold 30 people found on spaceplanes and other spaceships also contain survival balls in case they are needed. They were originally created only to house someone set adrift outside Earth's atmosphere until they were rescued, but as mankind's activities in space expanded, organizations began installing them with long-term life-support devices employing cold sleep.

The entire surface of the sphere is covered with neo-norbornadiene, a refined version of a metal capable of absorbing solar rays, allowing the ball to semipermanently store energy and support its inhabitant for an extended period of time. The survival ball used by Astronaut Jonathan Ingram during the first test of the Yuri was a prototype survival ball containing an experimental cold sleep module. It was connected to a special umbilical cord with a two-way network allowing for the exchange of energy and data in the event of an accident.

Should an accident occur, the occupant is required to connect an attachment on their spacesuit to the ball's internal life-support machine and curl up their body into a rather uncomfortable position before entering cold sleep. Japanese astronauts liken it to the instant attainment of Buddhahood and do not look on it very favorably.

T-Gear99
Information and Communications / Technology

The Tokugawa Group's internal network terminal, connected by plastic optical fibers to the Tokugawa Building's supercomputer, Hallelujah. The Tokugawa Network is comprised primarily of all the T-Gear99s in operation.

In order to access the Tokugawa Network, one needs to:

1. Possess a Tokugawa ID card for passing an ID check.

2. Clear a password check. The password check uses a special family crest format said to be extremely difficult for a non-Tokugawa Group employee to pass.

The Tokugawa Network offers such services as:

1. E-mail, file sharing, a BBS, and remote access computing.

2. Multi-function search engines such as SADAOKI, Gopher, and Raptor.

3. People databases such as Whois.

4. A business database containing various business information such as reports and memoranda.

5. Confidential financial services.

Furthermore, data on employees of Tokugawa businesses, as well as the families of employees, can only be obtained via the Tokugawa Network. It is also possible to view information from outside the network through its disc device. The media it uses may look like old-fashioned 12-centimeter CD-ROMs, but they are actually holographic optical discs made out of a germanium-antimony-tellurium alloy. One disc boasts 5.12 terabytes of storage space, with the data read not by a laser, but by charging a needle containing an atomic force microscope with a 0.5 volt electric pulse. Combining this type of archaic media format with the latest in super-high density memory technology virtually eliminates the chances of an information leak, should a disc fall outside company hands. Almost all confidential information distributed inside the Tokugawa Group is recorded on this type of disc.

For security purposes, the T-Gear99 is not made available to the public.

telomere lengthening
Culture and Sports / Life Science / Society / Technology

A medical procedure developed this century that delays the aging process by manipulating pieces of DNA responsible for aging called telomeres. Telomeres, located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and composed of a six-base DNA sequence of TTAGGG in humans, are tightly wound and highly repetitive structures that are extended over time by telomerase, a special reverse transcriptase, in order to prevent cellular senescence. However, the action of telomerase is not enough to extend telomeres indefinitely, due to the nature of cellular division. As these structures are considered an aging clock for the body, it is thought that by synthesizing telomerase and thereby extending telomeres as they naturally decrease with every cell division, it is possible to extend an organism's life span. While not permitted by law, it is said that the military, along with certain government organizations, have already started performing this procedure on people via gene therapy. A consequence of telomere lengthening is an increased risk of cancer, though this too is addressed via gene therapy. Further research is currently being conducted that will attempt to turn normal cells into immortal cells without the aid of such regular procedures.

torus colony
Outer Space / Technology

A donut-shaped space colony supported by Tokugawa. It is a smaller-scale colony, with a maximum population of around 10,000 people. Also known as the Tokugawa model, since it has been created almost solely by technology developed by Tokugawa. All space colonies currently under construction are torus colonies, the largest torus colony built so far consisting of 4 levels.

ultra-high pressure sterilization
Life Science / Technology

A sterilization method that uses extremely high pressure to kill pathogens. Developed as an alternative to heat sterilization, which can cause changes in an object's composition or even its destruction. This method allows for perishable foods to be stored over long periods of time while maintaining their freshness. It is particularly valued on Beyond Coast, whose citizens consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables. It is now also used to sterilize medical equipment and waste, and is part of the infection control system in hospitals as well.

videophone
Culture and Sports / Information and Communications / Society / Technology

An information platform based on the videophones of the 20th century. Modern videophones also allow the user to turn off the video feature if they want, and it is possible to send still picture- and text-only messages as well. Videophones started to become widespread at the beginning of the century, but with privacy concerns and changes in communications practices, nearly all calls have now become either voice- or text-only, with video calls common only between close friends and family members. The decline of the video feature could be cited as one of the effects of the information explosion that occurred shortly after the turn of the century. Home versions are usually integrated into an information terminal as standard. Public videophone terminals are frequently the targets of vandalism, many having their cameras broken, with the result that governments have decided not to install cameras on all future terminals. Today's videophone differs from previous videophones in that the visual output is reduced in size to allow for faster processing, and it frequently employs burst lines, which codify communications to prevent eavesdropping.

Von Braun
Outer Space / Technology

A military EMPS prototype developed over the last 5 years by Tokugawa Heavy Industries. Named after Dr. Wernher von Braun, regarded as the father of America's space program. It is equipped with a 40mm grenade launcher as well as a computer system that suppresses and absorbs recoil when it is fired. The chest, the Goddard's weak point, is reinforced with additional Chobham armor, as per its planned military use.

VRE
Information and Communications / Society / Technology

Acronym for virtual recorder. A media system that recreates a location in 3D by simultaneously recording video, sound, and environment data from various sensors, then analyzing and compiling the data via computer. Originally used in planetary exploration and scouting for mineral deposits. The data, recorded on separate sub-devices, is linked piece by piece on a special workstation and supplemented as necessary. This is called virtual processing, and the machine used for this is called a virtual editor. Going beyond simply recording 2D images, it simulates a location in perfect 3D, including air temperature and humidity, smells – even the exact materials the actual objects are made of. However, virtual processing requires a considerable amount of time even with the speed of computers available today.

BBC has several virtual editors at its studios.

Yuri
Outer Space / Technology

A prototype EMPS model developed as the successor to devices such as the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), the Simplified Aid for Extravehicular Activity Rescue (SAFER), and the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). Named after Yuri Gagarin, the first human being in outer space. The type piloted by Astronaut Jonathan Ingram in a test space walk in 2013. Unlike the MMU and SAFER's nitrogen gas thrusters, which only allowed for very basic movement, it was instead equipped with miniature rockets. It was developed as an attempt to realize true aerial navigation in space, and not just short-distance movement and position control; accordingly, the unit's gross weight is heavier than its predecessors, and it is considerably larger as well.

After Astronaut Ingram's accident, EMPS development was temporarily suspended and the technology reworked from the ground up. Having been designed for mechanical work outside the colony, the Yuri is equipped with various data recording units, but is not outfitted with weapons of any kind; however, it has 4 manipulator arms that provide its operator with basic feedback. Also equipped with emergency food rations and a 3-day energy supply.

zero G kit
Culture and Sports / Outer Space / Society / Technology

A garage kit that has had its parts cast in zero gravity. There are various types of kits available, such as resin, vinyl, and metal. One of its main attractions is the lack of air bubbles or seam lines due to it being cast under weightlessness. It is also capable of preserving the small details that tend to become lost between the mold and cast in 1G.

Furthermore, casting a kit as a whole, previously impossible, keeps the number of parts to a minimum, allowing even beginners to enjoy model assembly. The zero G kit has even been called the savior of the hobby works industry. The techniques used with zero G kits have also been applied to many traditional plastic models.