Age Estimation and Growth Performance of the Blackthroat Seaperch,Doederleinia berycoides (Hilgendorf, 1879), in Korean Waters

Ocean Science Journal - Age and growth estimations are important fisheries management tools to gain insight into the population structures of commercially important fish species. Despite their...     

Application of a fuzzy operator to susceptibility estimations of coal mine subsidence in Taebaek City,Korea

Quantitative determination of locations vulnerable to ground subsidence at mining regions is necessary for effective prevention. In this paper, a method of constructing subsidence susceptibility maps based on fuzzy relations is proposed and tested at an abandoned underground coal mine in Korea. An advantage of fuzzy combination operators over other methods is that the operation is mathematically and logically easy to understand and its implementation to GIS software is simple and straightforward. A certainty factor analysis was used for estimating the relative weight of eight major factors influencing ground subsidence. The relative weight of each factor was then converted into a fuzzy membership value and integrated as a subsidence hazard index using fuzzy combination operators, which produced coal mine subsidence susceptibility maps. The susceptibility maps were compared with the reported ground subsidence areas, and the results showed high accuracy between our prediction and the actual subsidence. Based on the root mean square error and accuracy in terms of success rates, fuzzy γ-operator with a low γ value and fuzzy algebraic product operator, specifically, are useful for ground subsidence prediction. Comparing the results of a fuzzy γ-operator and a conventional logistic regression model, the performance of the fuzzy approach is comparative to that of a logistic regression model with improved computational. A field survey done in the area supported the method’s reliability. A combination of certainty factor analysis and fuzzy relations with a GIS is an effective method to determine locations vulnerable to coal mine subsidence.     

Transport phenomena in kaolinite clay: Molecular simulation,homogenization analysis and similitude law

Kaolinite is a common clay mineral. It is a nanomaterial with a platelet crystalline structure. In order to analyze the behavior of kaolinite, its microscopic structure and material properties must be specified correctly. A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is used for determining the microscale properties of hydrated kaolinite, and these properties are introduced into a multiscale homogenization analysis (HA). We previously developed such an MD/HA technique to investigate seepage, diffusion, sorption and consolidation in bentonite clay (Proceedings of the Science Basis for Nuclear Waste Management, Davos, Switzerland, vol. XXI. Material Research Society: Warrendale, PA, 1997; 359–366; Eng. Geol. 1999; 54 :21–31; Eng. Geol. 2001; 60 :127–138; Coupled Thermo‐Hydro‐Mechanical‐Chemical Processes in Geo‐systems. Elsevier: Amsterdam, 2005; 457–464). We here apply the method to kaolinite clay to investigate the permeability, diffusion and related similitude law. The obtained results are supported by existing experimental data. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The X-ray pulse profile of BG CMi

We present an analysis of the X-ray data of a magnetic cataclysmic variable, BG CMi, obtained with ROSAT in March 1992 and with ASCA in April 1996. We show that four peaks clearly exist in the X-ray pulse profile, unlike a single peak found in the optical profile. The fluxes of two major pulses are 2–5 times larger than those of two minor pulses. The fraction of the total pulsed flux increases from 51% to 85% with increasing energy in 0.1–2.0 keV, whereas it decreases from 96% to 22% in 0.8–10 keV. We discuss the implications of our findings for the origin of the pulse profile and its energy dependence.     

Homogenization framework for three‐dimensional elastoplastic finite element analysis of a grouted pipe‐roofing reinforcement method for tunnelling

This paper deals with the grouted pipe‐roofing reinforcement method that is used in the construction of tunnels through weak grounds. This system consists on installing, prior to the excavation of a length of tunnel, an array of pipes forming a kind of ‘umbrella’ above the area to be excavated. In some cases, these pipes are later used to inject grout to strengthen the ground and ‘connect’ the pipes. This system has proven to be very efficient in reducing tunnel convergence and water inflow when tunnelling through weak grounds. However, due to the geometrical and mechanical complexity of the problem, existing finite element frameworks are inappropriate to simulate tunnelling using this method. In this paper, a mathematical framework based on a homogenization technique to simulate ‘grouted pipe‐roofing reinforced ground’ and its implementation into a 3‐D finite element programme that can consider stage construction situations are presented. The constitutive model developed allows considering the main design parameters of the problem and only requires geometrical and mechanical properties of the constituents. Additionally, the use of a homogenization approach implies that the generation of the finite element mesh can be easily produced and that re‐meshing is not required as basic geometrical parameters such as the orientation of the pipes are changed. The model developed is used to simulate tunnelling with the grouted pipe‐roofing reinforcement method. From the analyses, the effects of the main design parameters on the elastic and the elastoplastic analyses are considered. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biofilm: A crucial factor affecting the settlement of seaweed on intertidal rocky surfaces

We hypothesized that the presence of biofilm accelerated the settlement of dominant seaweed species and maintained high levels of species richness by regulating the blooming of particular species on an intertidal rocky shore. The coverage and species richness of macroalgae on sterile and cleared substrates (225 cm²) were measured to investigate the effects of biofilm on the settlement of macroalgae in intertidal zones at Noryang, Songmoon, and Sangnam in Gawngyang Bay on the southern coast of the Korean peninsula. Green algae coverage on cleared substrates was significantly higher than that on sterile substrates at both Noryang and Songmoon during the study period. This suggests that the presence of biofilm enhances the settlement of green algae by providing various habitat structures and, consequently, may lead to serious ‘green tide’ events. However, the coverage of algae other than green algae and algal species richness on cleared substrates remained high at Sangnam during the experimental period. Biofilm facilitated the settlement of macroalgae and inhibited the blooming of specific algae by inducing inter-specific space competition. Therefore, biofilm plays an important role on seaweed assemblages on intertidal rocky shores by accelerating the settlement of seaweed.     

Picocyanobacterial abundances and diversity in surface water of the northwestern Pacific Ocean

To understand picocyanobacterial distribution patterns in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, their abundances and genetic diversity were studied using flow cytometry and a barcoded amplicon pyrosequencing approach. At open ocean stations affected by the North Equatorial Current, Prochlorococcus was the predominant picocyanobacteria, and a high-light-adapted ecotype (HLII) made up most of the population. In contrast, at stations in shelf areas of the East China Sea (ECS) and South Sea, Synechococcus was the predominant picocyanobacteria and clade II was dominant. At other ECS stations affected by the Kuroshio Current, both Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus made up similar proportions of the picocyanobacterial community. These results indicate that picocyanobacterial diversity differs among oceanic regions, and that physicochemical properties related to dominant water masses, seem to be important in determining picocyanobacterial diversity.     

Egg production rate of the copepod <Emphasis Type="Italic">Calanus sinicus</Emphasis> off the Korean coast of the Yellow Sea during spring

The egg production rate (EPR) of Calanus sinicus was measured from March 2007 to April 2010 at three stations along the Korean coast of the Yellow Sea (in coastal waters off Saemangum, Yeongheungdo, and Asan Bay) to estimate in situ maximum egg production rate (MEPR) and to understand whether the females were limited in their growth or fecundity in the field. The mean EPR of C. sinicus at each sampling date ranged from 10.3–34.9 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹ (mean 23.4 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹), and the EPR of individual copepods ranged from 0–81 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹. The mean EPR was positively correlated with the body weight of female copepods. The MEPR at each sampling date ranged from 40–81 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹ (mean 50.4 eggs female⁻¹ d⁻¹). Over 84% of eggs spawned hatched successfully. The weight-specific growth rate (WSGR) ranged from 0.038–0.111 d⁻¹ (mean 0.082 d⁻¹), indicating that 3.8–11.1% of the carbon in an adult female was produced daily as female growth. The WSGR was negatively correlated with water temperature. The ratio of mean EPR to observed mean MEPR ranged from 20–70% (mean 46%), indicating that ∼54% of a female’s growth might be limited in the field. We suggest that the ratio of observed EPR to mean MEPR of copepod can be applied to understand how the copepod responds to environmental changes, as well as EPR and hatching success.