Effect of silica concentration on the diopsidic pyroxenes in the system diopside-CaTiAl2O6SiO2

The effect of silica concentration on the solubility of Al and Ti in diopsidic pyroxenes has been investigated at one atmosphere in the system diopside-CaTiAl₂O₆-SiO₂ at temperatures between 1150–1420° C. The composition of pyroxene in the system diopside-CaTiAl₂O₆-SiO₂ is influenced by the total SiO₂ content. Near the join diopside-CaTiAl₂O₆, the pyroxene forms a solid solution with the CaTiAl₂O₆ molecule, and co-exists with perovskite for compositions greater than 11 weight percent CaTiAl₂O₆. Anorthite is an accompanying phase. With increasing total SiO₂ content a series of mineralogical changes involving Ti-bearing phases occur. Sphene solid solution co-exists with diopside solid solution, anorthite, and perovskite in a small compositional range near the diopside-CaTiAl₂O₆ join. Additional total SiO₂ results in the elimination of perovskite and a decrease of solid solution in the pyroxenes. With further increase in SiO₂ content, tridymite appears and the pyroxene is approximately pure diopside. Rutile joins diopside, anorthite, sphene solid solution and tridymite over a broad compositional range in the Ti, Si-rich part of the system. These results demonstrate that increased silica concentration decreases the solubility of Al and Ti in diopsidic pyroxenes and controls the stability of co-existing Ti-bearing phases.     

Difference between the Lagrangian trajectories and Eulerian residual velocity fields in the southwestern Yellow Sea

The responses to tidal and/or wind forces of Lagrangian trajectories and Eulerian residual velocity in the southwestern Yellow Sea are investigated using a high-resolution circulation model. The simulated tidal harmonic constants agree well with observations and existing studies. The numerical experiment reproduces the long-range southeastward Eulerian residual current over the sloping bottom around the Yangtze Bank also shown in previous studies. However, the modeled drifters deployed at the northeastern flank of the Yangtze Bank in the simulation move northeastward, crossing over this strong southeastward Eulerian residual current rather than following it. Additional sensitivity experiments reveal that the influence of the Eulerian tidal residual currents on Lagrangian trajectories is relatively weaker than that of the wind driven currents. This result is consistent with the northeastward movement of ARGOS surface drifters actually released in the southwestern Yellow Sea. Further experiments suggest that the quadratic nature of the bottom friction is the crucial factor, in the southwestern Yellow Sea, for the weaker influence of the Eulerian tidal residual currents on the Lagrangian trajectories. This study demonstrates that the Lagrangian trajectories do not follow the Eulerian residual velocity fields in the shallow coastal regions of the southwestern Yellow Sea.     

Forced vibration test of a building with semi‐active damper system

The authors developed a semi‐active hydraulic damper (SHD) and installed it in an actual building in 1998. This was the first application of a semi‐active structural control system that can control a building's response in a large earthquake by continuously changing the device's damping coefficient. A forced vibration test was carried out by an exciter with a maximum force of 100 kN to investigate the building's vibration characteristics and to determine the system's performance. As a result, the primary resonance frequency and the damping ratio of a building that the SHDs were not jointed to, decreased as the exciting force increased due to the influence of non‐linear members such as PC curtain walls. The equivalent damping ratio was estimated by approximating the resonance curves using the steady‐state response of the SDOF bilinear hysteretic system. After the eight SHDs were jointed to the building, the system's performance was identified by a response control test for steady‐state vibration. The elements that composed the semi‐active damper system demonstrated the specified performance and the whole system operated well. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oxygen isotopic composition of minerals in the Kenna ureilite

The δ¹⁸O and δ¹⁷O values of olivine from Kenna are 7.6 and 3.0%, respectively, relative to SMOW. These values are typical of ureilites which form a unique group on a δ¹⁷O -δ¹⁸O graph. The ureilites are related to, but not directly derived from, the anhydrous phases of C2 and C3 meteorites. The ¹⁸O/¹⁶O fractionation between pyroxene and olivine is 0.60, indicating a temperature of last equilibration of 1000 ± 100°C.     

Miocene fossil pinnipeds of the genera Prototaria and Neotherium (Carnivora; Otariidae; Imagotariinae) in the North Pacific Ocean: Evolution, relationships and distribution

Abstract Fossil otariid pinnipeds of the extinct genera Prototaria Takeyama and Ozawa, 1984, and Neotherium Kellogg, 1931, known from Middle Miocene deposits bordering the North Pacific Ocean, are small, primitive pinnipeds in the subfamily Imagotariinae. They have a small supraorbital process of the frontal or have lost it entirely, a three-rooted first molar, small paroccipital process, and ear morphology indicating that they belong in the subfamily Imagotariinae. Their unique derived characters include extreme intertemporal constriction and highly modified cheek teeth, the premolars having become molarized by the addition of protocones and lingual cingula. Prototaria Takeyama and Ozawa, 1984, the most primitive known imagotariine genus, contains two species, P. primigena Takeyama and Ozawa, 1984, and P. planicephala Kohno, 1994, both of early Middle Miocene age from Japan. Prototaria has a few derived characters, including a large antorbital process, narrow intertemporal region, and large orbit, but its primitive characters apparently were inherited from enaliarctine ancestors. The long enigmatic Neotherium mirum Kellogg, 1931, of Middle Miocene age from California, USA, is related to Prototaria, but differs by having an elongate skull, very slender zygomatic arch, ventrally exposed median lacerate foramen, and smaller but more molarized premolars. A more primitive new genus and species, Proneotherium repenningi Barnes, related to N. mirum, is from the early Middle Miocene Astoria Formation, coastal Oregon, USA. It shares some derived characters with Prototaria, and shares many other important derived characters with N. mirum. Imagotariines probably arose from some species of Early Miocene enaliarctines, became diverse in Middle and Late Miocene time, and are only known from the North Pacific realm. Although they might include the ancestors of true walruses of the subfamily Odobeninae, no known imagotariines appear to have been adapted for mollusk feeding as are the highly evolved modern walruses. Instead, imagotariines appear to have retained a primitive piscivorous diet, as did the fur seals and sea lions of the subfamily Otariinae.     

Assimilation of TOPEX/POSEIDON Altimeter Data with a Reduced Gravity Model of the Japan Sea

Sea level data measured by TOPEX/POSEIDON over the Japan Sea from 1993 to 1994 is analyzed by assimilation using an approximate Kalman filter with a 1.5 layer (reduced-gravity) shallow water model. The study aims to extract signals associated with the first baroclinic mode and to determine the extent of its significance. The assimilation dramatically improves the model south of the Polar Front where as much as 20 cm² of the observed sea level variance can be accounted for. In comparison, little variability in the northern cold water region is found consistent with the model dynamics, possibly due to significant differences in stratification.     

The 21-cm signature of early relic H ii regions

We calculate the spin temperature and 21-cm brightness of early H  ii regions around the first stars. We use outputs from cosmological radiation-hydrodynamics simulations of the formation and evolution of early H  ii regions. In the pre-re-ionization era, H  ii regions around massive primordial stars have diameters of a few kpc. The gas within the H  ii regions is almost fully ionized, but begins recombining after the central stars die off. The relic H  ii regions are then seen as bright emission sources in hydrogen 21 cm. We make brightness temperature maps of the H  ii regions, accounting for radiative coupling with Lyman α photons in a simplified manner. The spin temperature in the relic H  ii region is close to the gas kinetic temperature, generally several hundred to several thousand degrees. We show that the relic H  ii region can be as bright as  δ T _b∼ 100 mK  in differential temperature against the cosmic microwave background for an angular resolution of subarcseconds. While individual early H  ii patches will not be identified by currently planned radio telescopes, the collective fluctuations from early H  ii regions might imprint signatures in the 21-cm background.     

Assessment of turbulence closure models for resonant inertial response in the oceanic mixed layer using a large eddy simulation model

Large eddy simulation (LES) of the resonant inertial response of the upper ocean to strong wind forcing is carried out; the results are used to evaluate the performance of each of the two second-order turbulence closure models presented by Mellor and Yamada (Rev Geophys Space Phys 20:851–875, 1982) (MY) and by Nakanishi and Niino (J Meteorol Soc Jpn 87:895–912, 2009) (NN). The major difference between MY and NN is in the formulation of the stability functions and the turbulent length scale, both strongly linked with turbulent fluxes; in particular, the turbulent length scale in NN, unlike that in MY, is allowed to decrease with increasing density stratification. We find that MY underestimates and NN overestimates the development of mixed layer features, for example, the strong entrainment at the base of the oceanic mixed layer and the accompanying decrease of sea surface temperature. Considering that the stability functions in NN perform better than those in MY in reproducing the vertical structure of turbulent heat flux, we slightly modify NN to find that the discrepancy between LES and NN can be reduced by more strongly restricting the turbulent length scale with increasing density stratification.     

Seasonal variations in coastal debris on Awaji Island, Japan

The subject of our study was Awaji Island, an island located in the west of Japan that is surrounded by sea and that has serious problems relating to coastal debris. We conducted a long-term investigation focusing on three beaches and evaluated the results. The study was designed to develop an understanding of the actual situation, to inform local citizens, and raise their concerns about the problem of debris with a view to taking action against it. We obtained the following results: the amount, type, and ratio of debris changed according to weather and ocean conditions; debris also differs according to geographical conditions; social and economic activities of the surrounding area influence the type of debris encountered. Following this study, we have continued our investigation, and are continuing to gather data. At the same time, it is important to spread our ideas and enlighten people so as to encourage them not to dump debris. We hope that these actions manage to raise the level of consciousness among local citizens and to expand their anti-debris activities.