The Hinode Spectro-Polarimeter

The joint Japan/US/UK Hinode mission includes the first large-aperture visible-light solar telescope flown in space. One component of the Focal Plane Package of that telescope is a precision spectro-polarimeter designed to measure full Stokes spectra with the intent of using those spectra to infer the magnetic-field vector at high precision in the solar photosphere. This article describes the characteristics of the flight hardware of the Hinode Spectro-Polarimeter, and summarizes its in-flight performance.     

An experimental study on non-linear progressive wave-induced dynamic stresses in seabed

In this study, the dynamic stresses within the seabed induced by non-linear progressive waves were explored through a series of hydraulic model tests on a movable bed within a wave flume. By comparing Stokes’ 2nd-order wave theory with the theory of wave-induced dynamic stresses within the seabed as proposed by Yamamoto et al. [1978. On the response of a poro-elastic bed to water waves. Journal of Fluid Mechanics 87 (1), 193–206.] and Hsu and Jeng [1994. Wane-induced soil response in an unsaturated anisotropic seabed of finite thickness. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 18, 785–807], the experimental results show that the pressure on the seabed surface, the pore water pressure within the seabed as well as the vertical and the horizontal stresses are all smaller than their theoretical values. If we were to obtain the characteristics of seabed soil, the analytical solution of Hsu and Jeng [1994. Wane-induced soil response in an unsaturated anisotropic seabed of finite thickness. International Journal for Numerical and Analytical Methods in Geomechanics 18, 785–807] might agree to the simulation of the wave-induced effective stresses and shear stress in the sandy seabed. A different phase shift exists among all the three soil stresses. Their influences on the three dynamic stresses within seabed soil are important for seabed stability, and can be used in the verification of numerical models. In the whole, the non-linear progressive waves and the naturally deposited seabed are found to have a strong interaction, and the behavior of the induced dynamic stresses within the seabed is very complicated, and should be investigated integrally.     

Refined modeling and movement characteristics analyses of irregularly shaped particles

Irregularly shaped (IRS) particles widely exist in many engineering and industrial fields. The macro physical and mechanical properties of the particle system are governed by the interaction between the particles in the system. The interaction between IRS particles is more complicated because of their complex geometric shape with extremely irregular and co‐existed concave and convex surfaces. These particles may interlock each other, making the sliding and friction of IRS particles more complex than that of particles with regular shape. In order to study the interaction of IRS particles more efficiently, a refined method of constructing discrete element model based on computed tomography scanning of IRS particles is proposed. Three parameters were introduced to control the accuracy and the number of packing spheres. Subsequently, the inertia tensor of the IRS particle model was optimized. Finally, laboratory and numerical open bottom cylinder tests were carried out to verify the refined modeling method. The influence of particle shape, particle position, and mesoscopic friction coefficient on the interaction of particles was also simulated. It is noteworthy that with the increase of mesoscopic friction coefficient, the fluidity of IRS particle assembly decreases, and intermittent limit equilibrium state may appear. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An overview of socio-economic and ecological perspectives of Fiji's inshore reef fisheries

This paper reviews the socio-economic and ecological context of Fijian reef fisheries. This review is deemed necessary because improved understanding of the state and trends of Fiji's coral reef fisheries on a national level is required for designing an effective management plan for Fiji's inshore reef fisheries. The most important point that emerges from our review is that despite numerous studies of Fiji's reef fisheries, the current status of reef-associated fisheries at the national level is still uncertain due, mainly, to the lack of dependable data on the subsistence fisheries. This in turn leads to uncertainty about how the continuation of fishing, in particular, fishing focused on target species for the coral reef resources trade, will affect fishing communities and the ecosystem.     

青岛市崂山区地质灾害气象预报预警

本文基于地质灾害递进分析理论与方法，进行了崂山区地质灾害气象预报预警探讨。崂山区地质灾害及隐患点发育的类型主要是滑坡、崩塌和泥石流。据调查，区内地质灾害及隐患点83处，其中已发生灾害17处，新的灾害隐患66处。崂山区地质灾害基础因子主要是地形坡度、地质构造、地面高程、岩体、植被、水系和坡形，诱发因：于主要是大气降水、人类工程活动和地震。大气降水是变化频繁的敏感因子。通过分析崂山区日降水量、持续累计降水量与地质环境条件、地质灾害发生频率、发生时间的关系，结合国内其他地区的分析结论，初步选定崂山区地质灾害预报预警降水量临界值，在此基础上建立了崂山区地质灾害预报预警信息系统，并以图形和表格两种形式在网上对外发布成功。通过回访调查，预报基本准确，服务效果明显，在很大程度上减轻和避免了灾害损失，有效地保护了人民生命财产的安全，促进了经济、社会的持续、稳定、健康发展。     

Pumice eruptions of the lesser Antilles

Stratigraphic studies on the active and potentially active volcanoes of the Lesser Antilles have revealed two main types of andesitic pyroclastic deposit. One with dense clasts in a poorly vesicular ash represents nuée ardente eruptions of Pelean type and the other group of vesicular pumice and ash represent both Plinian airfall and ash-pumice flow eruptions. The pumiceous deposits can be divided into airfall lapilli, airfall ash, crystal-pumice surge, ashpumice flow and ash hurricane types. No pumice eruptions have been witnessed in the Lesser Antilles during the period of written history although the stratigraphy of archaeological sites shows they occurred in pre-Columbian times. Detailed stratigraphic studies of Mt. Pelée, Martinique, and the Quill, St. Eustatius, show that, throughout their history, pumice eruptions have alternated with nuée ardente eruptions with approximately equal frequency. The widespread occurrence of pumiceous deposits on many of the West Indian volcanoes and the frequent alternations in the stratigraphic sections suggest the high probability that they will be witnessed in the future. On Martinique, some on the late prehistoric pumiceous pyroclastic flow deposits (the ash hurricanes) have been traced 20 km from the central vent to the out-skirts of Fort de France, indicating that they are the major hazard in the Lesser Antilles. Measured stratigraphic sections show that the Pelean type nuée ardente deposits are separated from the pumiceous pyroclastic deposits by others of intermediate vesicularity and appearance. The presence of such deposits of intermediate vesicularity could provide a future warning of impending change in pyroclastic style. As no such deposits formed on Mt. Pelée this century the present «safer» episode of nuée ardente (Pelean type) activity is expected to continue.     

Analysis of dislocations in some naturally deformed plagioclase feldspars

Dislocations in intermediate plagioclase feldspars, which were deformed under granulite facies conditions, have been analysed. The study reveals extensive ductile deformation by intracrystalline slip and by twinning. Six out of the seven possible Burgers vectors were identified: \(b = \left[ {001} \right],\tfrac{1}{2}\left[ {110} \right],\tfrac{1}{2}\left[ {1\bar 10} \right],\left[ {101} \right],\tfrac{1}{2}\left[ {112} \right]and\tfrac{1}{2}\left[ {1\bar 12} \right]\) . Most, perhaps all, dislocations are dissociated by up to 200 Å. The microstructure is dominated by [001] screw dislocations, most of which appear to be dissociated in (010). The dominant slip system appears to be (010) [001]. Large grain-to-grain variations in the density of free dislocations indicate that the plastic strain in individual grains depended upon the Schmid factor for (010) [001]. The microstructure suggests that the rate-controlling step for high-temperature creep of plagioclase is cross-slip of extended [001] screw dislocations. The rheological contrast between feldspar and quartz is partly due to a difference in stacking fault energy.