The sea surface temperature product algorithm of the Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (OCTS) and its accuracy

The Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (OCTS) aboard the Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS) can observe ocean color and sea surface temperature (SST) simultaneously. This paper explains the algorithm for the OCTS SST product in the NASDA OCTS mission. In the development of the latest, third version (V3) algorithm, the OCTS match-up dataset plays an important role, especially when the coefficients required in the MCSST equation are derived and the equation form is adjusted. As a result of the validation using the OCTS match-up dataset, the algorithm has improved the root mean square (rms) error of the OCTS SST up to 0.698°C although some problems remain in the match-up dataset used in the present study.     

The grade index model as a rationale for autogenic nonequilibrium responses of deltaic clinoform to relative sea-level rise

Grade index (G_index) is a dimensionless number given as the volume-in-unit-time ratio of subaerial allocation to both subaerial and subaqueous allocations of sediment supplied to a delta from upstream. It was originally proposed for understanding the effect of basin water depth on the morphodynamics of delta distributary channels under stationary relative sea level. We here examine how rising relative sea level modulates the G_index, using geometrical reasoning and numerical simulations. We find that the grade index model can account for autoretreat of the deltaic shoreline, autodrowning of the whole system, and autobreak of the deltaic sedimentation, all of which are the consequences of autogenic nonequilibrium responses to steadily rising relative sea level. The regressive-to-transgressive threshold (i.e. the onset of autoretreat) is crossed when the delta plain's dimensionless basal area (A_t*) encounters a critical value that is expressed in terms of G_index: regression and transgression are sustained when A_t* is below and above the threshold, respectively. The mode of transgression depends on the slope conditions. If the hinterland slope (γ) is steeper than the foreset slope (β), both A_t* and G_index decrease as the relative sea-level rises. Eventually, the depositional system experiences autodrowning when A_t* = G_index = 0. If γ < β; on the other hand, both A_t* and G_index increase. This latter slope condition eventually causes autobreak of the deltaic sedimentation, afterward of which A_t* = G_index = 1. The grade index model is useful for interpreting and predicting the stratigraphic responses of natural deltaic clinoforms in conditions of rising relative sea level.     

Wakefieldite‐(Nd), a New Neodymium Vanadate Mineral in the Arase Stratiform Ferromanganese Deposit,Kochi Prefecture,Japan

Wakefieldite‐(Nd), NdVO₄, is a new mineral found from the Arase stratiform ferromanganese deposit in Kochi Prefecture, Shikoku Island, Japan. It is the Nd‐dominant analogue of wakefieldite‐(Y) and wakefieldite‐(Ce). The ferromanganese ore specimen mainly consists of hematite and caryopilite, and wakefieldite‐(Nd) is typically enclosed in caryopilite. Wakefieldite‐(Nd) is tetragonal, I4₁/amd, a = 7.338(16) Å, c = 6.509(19) Å, V = 350.5(18) ų, Z = 4. The four strongest lines in the X‐ray diffraction pattern [d(Å), I/I₀, hkl] using a Gandolfi camera are (3.67, 100, 200); (2.74, 51, 112); (4.84, 27, 101) and (1.89, 25, 312). Chemical composition of wakefieldite‐(Nd) are V₂O₃ 35.25, As₂O₃ 0.93, SiO₂ 0.14, MnO 1.45, Fe₂O₃ 0.41, Y₂O₃ 2.87, La₂O₃ 7.61, Ce₂O₃ 7.37, Pr₂O₃ 6.04, Nd₂O₃ 26.79, Sm₂O₃ 4.41, Eu₂O₃ 1.36, Gd₂O₃ 3.41, Tb₂O₃ 0.22, Dy₂O₃ 1.41, Er₂O₃ 0.10, total 99.77 wt.%. The empirical formula is (Nd_0.403La_0.118Ce_0.114Pr_0.093Y_0.064Sm_0.064Mn_0.052Gd_0.048Eu_0.020Dy_0.019Fe_0.013Tb_0.003Er_0.001)_1.012(V_0.981As_0.020Si_0.006)_1.007O₄ on the basis of O = 4. The calculated density is 4.782 g/cm³. Microtexture and co‐existing relationship between wakefieldite‐(Nd) and caryopilite suggest that recrystallization and dehydration of Fe‐ and Mn‐oxyhydroxide led to the generation of hematite, caryopilite, rhodochrosite and wakefieldite‐(Nd) by the metamorphism during the accretion of the host unit of the Arase deposit. Chondrite‐normalized REE pattern of the host ferromanganese ore, which is regarded as oceanic metalliferous sediment in origin, shows negative Ce anomaly. Chemical composition of wakefieldite‐(Nd) reflects Ce‐depleted bulk composition of REE‐enriched ferromanganese ore.     

鲈鱼生长催乳素的分离纯化与N-末端序列分析

生长催乳素(SL)是生长激素/催乳素家族的一种新的脑垂体蛋白质激素,本研究首次从鲈鱼脑垂体中分离得到.鲈鱼脑垂体在碱性条件下,经葡聚糖凝胶(SephadexG-100)过滤和反相高效液相色谱(rpHPLC)分离出纯化的鲈鱼生长催乳素,(sbSL),并与大麻哈鱼生长催乳素(sSL)抗体发生特异性的Western免疫印迹交叉反应证实.SDS-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分析,发现鲈鱼生长催乳素分别是由分子量为23.2×103和28.4×103u两种形式组成(后者可能是一种糖基化形式).根据Edman降解原理,测得鲈鱼生长催乳素的N-末端16个氨基酸的序列,它与已知鱼类生长催乳素的N-末端序列比较,具有较高的同源性;由此进一步证实,分离纯化得到的鲈鱼生长催乳素是正确的.     

Three-dimensional finite strain analysis in the high-grade part of the Sanbagawa Belt using deformed meta-conglomerate

Abstract   Regional ductile deformation of the Sanbagawa belt is generally thought to be characterized by constrictional strain, based on strain analysis using deformed radiolarians in the low-grade regions. Similar strain analysis could not be carried out in the medium- to high-grade zones, because it is very difficult to identify individual radiolarians after strong recrystallization. However, discovery of the first known meta-conglomerate in the high-grade region of the Sanbagawa Belt allows quantitative 3-D strain to be estimated in this region. Using a development of the Rf-φ method, an evaluation of appropriate errors for this estimate can be determined. The principal strain ratios and estimated errors are X/Y = 5.4–6.6 and Y/Z = 3.8–3.9 implying deformation in the flattening field and refuting the idea of uniform constrictional strain. Semi-quantitative markers of the shape of the strain ellipse throughout the high-grade regions suggest that the deformation of the Sanbagawa Belt is dominantly in the flattening field. The difference with the earlier results may be due to late-stage overprinting by upright folding of the main ductile fabric in the low-grade region of western Shikoku.     

Kosa (yellow sand) components in precipitation collected at central Japan

In east Asia, acidic gases derived from fossil fuel combustion have increased in the pastdecades. On the other hand, the Asian dust, also called Kosa (yellow sand) is transported follow-ing windstorms from arid lands in the Asian continent. Many researchers have been interested inthe reaction between acidic aerosols and Kosa aerosols as well as the long-range transport ofthese emissions. To investigate the characteristics of chemical components in precipitation on along-term basis over Japan, precipitation was sequentially collected from April 1984 to March 1997at Kanazawa located near the coast of the Sea of Japan. Precipitation samples were collected at 1mm intervals for the first 5 mm rainfall and all volume of rainwater after 6 mm for all precipitationevents with an automatic wet only precipitation collector. According to the analyses of precipitationincluding Kosa aerosols during Kosa periods, the reaction in the air between Kosa and acidiccomponents during the long-range transport was discussed.     

A wind-tunnel facility for simulating mountain and heated-island gravity waves

A wind tunnel was constructed to study mountain lee-wave phenomena and heated-island effects. The present wind tunnel appears to have several advantages over a towing tank facility for modeling atmospheric gravity-wave phenomena, i.e., non-uniform approach flows, stationary measuring conditions, variation of boundary temperature condition in the longitudinal direction, and no slip at the wall. Simple design criteria and characteristics of the present wind tunnel are discussed. A numerical program was utilized to explain peculiar standing-wave disturbances in the wind-tunnel test section. The above disturbances seemed unavoidable under the chosen mechanical constants. Nevertheless, a practical solution was found by extending the tunnel length.Postdoctoral Fellow, Princeton University, New Jersey, U.S.A.Associate Professor, Fluid Mechanics Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, U.S.A.     

A flare-associated thermal burst in the mm-wave region

A mm-wave thermal burst has been observed at 73 GHz. The simultaneous observation at 17 GHz revealed that this mm-wave burst was quite a different component from the non-thermal burst co-existing at a cm-wavelength range. Since the source of this burst seemed to be opaque or nearly opaque, the temperature became several tens of thousands degrees. Considering also the similarity between time profiles of the 73 GHz intensity and the H light curve, it is concluded that this mm-wave burst is situated very close to the H flare region.