VSOP Space VLBI observations of Pearson-Readhead survey sources

The VSOP Space VLBI mission uses the HALCA spacecraft, launched from Japan in February 1997, in conjunction with ground radio observatories around the world to create a high resolution radio-wavelength imaging facility. We are using this unique facility to observe a sub-sample of Pearson-Readhead Survey sources at 4.8 GHz to determine core brightness temperatures and pc-scale jet properties. We will highlight one of the sources that has been observed using a combination of the HALCA spacecraft and the EVN, 1642+690, and describe the preliminary brightness temperature distribution for the sub-sample, based on all data analyzed to date.     

Numerical Study On Cloud Lines Over An Urban Street In Tokyo

`Kanpachi Street Cloud (KSC)' is an unusual small-scalecumulus cloud line visible during calm summer conditions over a major street in the Tokyo metropolitanarea. In order to understand the mechanism leading to the formation of this cloud line,numerical simulations have been performed using the Regional Atmospheric Modelling System.The general characteristics of the simulated KSC agree well with observations. On alarge-scale view, the KSC can be characterized as a cumulus cloud line generated at the convergenceline of two sea breezes on the western side of Tokyo Bay, while on the microscale view, it resemblesBenard-type thermal convection modified longitudinally by wind shear.The location of the convergence line leading to the KSCformation coincides withthe Kanpachi street location, although the street itself does notmake any direct effect on the KSC formation. Additional numerical experiments were performed toidentify causes of the KSC formation in accordance with urbanization, by changing anthropogenicheat impact, land-cover and grid resolution.They confirmed that the formation of the KSC requirestwo meteorological processes at the same time:(1) the convergence of two sea breezes – the localsouth-eastern sea breeze from Tokyo Bay andan extended southern sea breeze from thePacific Ocean, respectively; (2) Forcing due to an urban heat island. It is shown that urbanization couldchange the intensity and position of the KSC through enhancement of local upward motions and changesin the near-surface horizontal pressure gradient between urban and sub-urban areas. Further,fine horizontal grid resolution is needed to be able to resolve these local thermal convection issues.     

Recent Advances in Larval Recruitment Processes of Scyllarid and Palinurid Lobsters in Japanese Waters

Phyllosoma larvae collected to date in Japanese and Taiwanese waters have been classified into two genera (Linuparus, Panulirus) of the Palinuridae, four genera (Ibacus, Parribacus, Scyllarides, Scyllarus) of the Scyllaridae, and one genus (Palinurellus) of the Synaxidae. However, phyllosoma larvae of three Scyllarus species (S. bicuspidatus, S. cultrifer, S. kitanoviriosus) are absolutely dominant among the larvae collected in the waters. Scyllarus larvae are abundant in coastal waters while those of Panulirus are often collected in offshore/oceanic waters. Based on previous and ongoing studies dealing with spatial distributions of phyllosoma larvae in Japanese and Taiwanese waters, it appears that phyllosoma and nisto larvae of the Scyllarus are retained within coastal waters north of the Kuroshio Current. On the other hand, the life history of the Panulirus (particularly P. japonicus) may be completed within the Kuroshio Subgyre: their phyllosoma larvae may be flushed out from coastal waters into the Kuroshio, then transported through the Counter Current south of the Kuroshio into the water east of Ryukyu Archipelago and Taiwan where they attain the subfinal/final phyllosoma or puerulus stages, once again entering the Kuroshio and dispersing into coastal waters. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. An erratum to this article is available at .     

The effectiveness of decentralisation reforms in the Philippines’s forestry sector

Decentralisation reforms and political conditions in the Philippines present an ideal environment for forest management by recognising the land entitlements of upland and indigenous communities and promoting the involvement of local government units. By assessing whether current conditions – policies, institutions, and programmes – are conducive to effective decentralisation, this study examines the present state of decentralisation in the forestry sector of the Philippines. By analysing case studies conducted in Nueva Vizcaya Province, it also attempts to answer a broader question: when is decentralisation a success and when is it a failure? A number of uncertainties are revealed, along with various issues that hamper decentralisation, and that are interrelated and reinforce one another in much the same way as they have done over the past decade. The study highlights the need for caution when increasing the involvement of government at different levels, as it affects the pace of decentralisation reforms. It also shows that a mix of site-specific interventions and community endeavours that focus on securing local livelihoods has led to some success. This is a strategy that helps decentralisation reforms.     

Mesoscale eddy effects on temporal variability of surface chlorophyll a in the Kuroshio Extension

We investigated the relationship between chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentrations estimated from satellite observations and the activity of eddies in the Kuroshio Extension region. High (low) area-averaged Chl-a concentrations were frequently observed in the core of cyclonic (anticyclonic) eddies. Such relationships between Chl-a concentrations and eddy cores were not frequently observed in the southern part of the recirculation gyre, and advection of background meridional gradient of Chl-a by eddy-edge currents accounted for Chl-a spatial variability. Decadal-scale changes of Chl-a concentrations around the Kuroshio Extension were strongly affected by eddy activity and transport but not by large-scale near-surface isopycnal heaving. We also found that decadal changes of nutrient concentrations near the main stream could affect Chl-a concentrations in the southern part of the recirculation gyre via southward transport of eddies and mean flow.     

A new high-stress undrained ring-shear apparatus and its application to the 1792 Unzen–Mayuyama megaslide in Japan

Sassa and others in the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, developed a series of undrained ring-shear apparatus to physically simulate landslide initiation and motion, from DPRI-3 (Sassa 1992) to DPRI-7 (Sassa et al., Landslides 1(1):7–19, 2004). The maximum undrained capacities in the DPRI series ranged from 300 to 650 kPa. Sassa and others in the International Consortium on Landslides (ICL) have developed a new series of undrained ring-shear apparatus (ICL-1and ICL-2) for two projects of the International Programme on Landslides (IPL-161 and IPL-175). Both projects are supported by the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development Program (SATREPS) of Japan. ICL-1 was developed to create a compact and transportable apparatus for practical use in Croatia; one set was donated to Croatia in 2012. ICL-2 was developed in 2012–2013 to simulate the initiation and motion of megaslides of more than 100 m in thickness. The successful undrained capacity of ICL-2 is 3 MPa. This apparatus was applied to simulate possible conditions for the initiation and motion of the 1792 Unzen–Mayuyama megaslide (volume, 3.4?×?10⁸ m³; maximum depth, 400 m) triggered by an earthquake. The megaslide and resulting tsunami killed about 15,000 people. The Unzen Restoration Office of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) of Japan systematically collected various papers and reports and published two summary leaflets: one in English in 2002 and an extended version in Japanese in 2003. Samples were taken from the source area (for initiation) and the moving area (for motion). The hazard area was estimated by the integrated landslide simulation model LS-RAPID, using parameters obtained with the ICL-2 undrained ring-shear apparatus. The estimated hazard area agrees reasonably with the landslide moving area reported in the Ministry leaflets.     

Relationship between surface morphology and chemical composition of spheroidal carbonaceous particles within sediment core samples recovered from Osaka Bay,Japan

Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs) are produced by the high-temperature combustion of fossil fuels and are emitted to the atmosphere. Previous studies are divided regarding whether SCPs derived from the combustion of various fossil fuels can be identified based on their surface morphologies and chemical compositions. In this study, we examined the surface morphology and chemical composition of SCPs in sediment core samples collected from Osaka Bay, Japan, with the aim of evaluating the usefulness of SCPs morphology in identifying their origin. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations reveal three distinct surface morphologies: (1) smooth, (2) rough and irregular, and (3) convoluted and layered. According to a morphological classification scheme proposed previously, the former two morphologies correspond to coal-derived carbon particles, whereas the latter corresponds to oil-derived carbon particles. In terms of the chemical compositions of the particles with different morphologies, as analyzed by energy-dispersive spectroscopy, linear discriminant analysis reveals that the two fuel types can be distinguished. An overall success rate of >90% of reference of morphologically classified material correctly assigned to two groups that are chemically different each other, indicating a relationship between surface morphology and chemical composition. This result suggests that morphological characterization based on conventional SEM observations is useful in identifying the source fuel of SCPs.