Lunar mare volcanism in the eastern nearside region derived from Clementine UV/VIS data

Abstract— Clementine UV/VIS multi‐spectral data were used to map mare deposits in the eastern lunar nearside region (Mare Tranquillitatis, Mare Fecunditatis, Mare Serenitatis, Mare Crisium, Mare Nectaris) to understand the volcanic history of this region. An array of Clementine and Clementine‐derived data were used to classify mare basalts; these include: 750 nm albedo, UV/VIS ratio, 1 μm absorption signatures, and Clementine derived FeO and TiO₂ contents. We have successfully identified several new geological units and have determined their spectral characteristics. For example, the relatively younger low‐Ti basalts were recognized in the eastern part of Mare Tranquillitatis. The central low‐Ti basalts in Mare Serenitatis, which had been classed as mISP, were divided into 2 groups. In Mare Nectaris, 2 types of mare basalts were identified, while only 1 group was recognized in the previous study. The stratigraphy constructed from the spectral analysis indicates that the mare deposits tend to become younger in the northern maria, including Serenitatis and Crisium, and older in the southern maria, including Tranquillitatis, Fecunditatis, and Nectaris. According to the relationship between the titanium contents of the mare units and their stratigraphy, the titanium content decreases with time in the early stage but increases toward the end of volcanism in the Serenitatis and Crisium region, while it increases with time but finally decreases in the Tranquillitatis and Fecunditatis region. In connection with the distribution of mare basalts, a large amount of high‐Ti mare basalts are found in Mare Tranquillitatis, especially in the western part, while other maria are covered by low‐Ti basalts. The iron contents show a similar distribution to that of titanium.     

A Transit of Venus Possibly Misinterpreted as an Unaided-Eye Sunspot Observation in China on 9 December 1874

Solar Physics - Large sunspots can be observed with the unaided eye under suitable atmospheric seeing conditions. Such observations are of particular value because the frequency of their appearance...     

Butyltin Contamination in Marine Mammals – A Review

In order to understand organotin accumulation in marine mammals, the present study determined the concentrations of butyltins (BTs) in various tissues and organs and described their distribution patterns relative to sex, age and geographical factors. Both cetaceans and pinnipeds showed higher BTs concentrations in the liver amongst various tissues and organs. In addition, noticeably high concentrations were found in the hair of pinnipeds, indicating possible excretion of BTs through shedding. BTs composition in mammals and their prey organisms suggested that pinnipeds have a stronger capacity to degrade BTs as compared to cetaceans. No age trends of BTs concentrations were observed in pinnipeds, while cetaceans showed increasing levels in immature growth stages. Comparing butyltin concentrations in various marine mammals, cetaceans retained higher butyltin concentrations than pinnipeds. These specific accumulation patterns found in marine mammals are probably attributable to the lower breakdown capacity of BTs in cetaceans and the significant excretion of BTs through shedding in pinnipeds. Unlike organochlorines, comparable residue levels of butyltins were found in male and female marine mammals. Such a trend suggests that butyltins are less transferable through gestation and lactation from mother to fetus/pup. On a global perspective, residue levels were found to be prominent in the coastal waters of developed nations. The present contamination by BTs may pose a considerable toxic threat to some coastal species of cetaceans. A relatively high percentage of BTs in total tin was found in the liver of cetaceans. This finding suggests that the hepatic tin in cetaceans exists predominantly in organic forms such as butyltin compounds, implying further that tin residues in marine mammals mostly reflects input from anthropogenic sources.     

Development of new drain method for protection of existing pile foundations from liquefaction effects

Pile foundation as well as other underground structures could be seriously affected by soil liquefaction during strong earthquakes. Damages on pile foundation due to liquefaction can be reduced by implementation of some soil improvement method. Main objective of present study is developing of drain method that can improve the soil in order to mitigate the destructiveness of liquefaction on superstructure supported by pile foundation. Series of shaking table tests were conducted on 2×2 pile foundation and soil model was improved by drains. Configurations of drains around piles, intensity of shaking were one of the parameters that were changing during the tests in order to investigate the response of pile foundation in improved soil condition.Shaking table tests and performed On-site experiment showed the following effects of the new drain method. (1) When the intensity of earthquake motion is 200 gal or less, generation of excess pore water pressure is reduced and the pile bending moment is decreased, (2) when the intensity of earthquake motion is stronger (300 gal or more), drainage effect prevents disappearance of subgrade reaction, and (3) proposed new type of drain can control excess pore water pressure without clogging.     

Trace elements in skin of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) from the northern waters of Japan: an evaluation for utilization as non-lethal tracers

Concentrations of Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, Mo, Hg, Cd, Cr, Ag, Pb, Sr and V were determined in skins of Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli) of the Pacific coast truei-type population (PT population) (N=45), and the Sea of Japan-Okhotsk dalli-type population (JD population) (N=31) from the northern waters of Japan. Cutaneous Hg concentrations in both PT and JD populations were significantly correlated with age, indicating a possible alternative method of age estimation. A significant correlation was also noted between Hg concentrations in skin and liver, suggesting that biopsy samples of skin can provide a non-lethal surrogate for monitoring Hg contamination in this species. Trace element accumulation patterns differed strongly between PT and JD populations, when analyzed by principal component analysis, suggesting these patterns could be utilized as non-lethal tracers of population identification.     

Near-infrared spectrophotometry of Asteroid 25143 Itokawa from NIRS on the Hayabusa spacecraft

A photometric analysis of the S-type Asteroid 25143 Itokawa is performed over multiple wavelengths ranging from 0.85 to 2.10 μm based on disk-resolved reflectance spectra obtained with the Hayabusa near-infrared spectrometer (NIRS). We derive the global photometric properties of Itokawa in terms of Hapke's photometric model. We find that Itokawa has a single-scatter albedo that is 35-40% less than that of Asteroid 433 Eros. Itokawa also has a single-particle phase function that is more strongly back-scattering than that of Eros. Despite its hummocky surface strewn with large boulders, Itokawa exhibits an opposition effect. However, the total amplitude of the opposition surge for Itokawa was estimated to be less than unity while Eros and other S-type asteroids have been found to have model values exceeding unity. The wavelength dependence of the opposition surge width reveals that coherent backscatter contributes to the opposition effect on Itokawa's surface. The photometric roughness of Itokawa is well constrained to a value of 26° ± 1° which is similar to Eros, suggesting that photometric roughness models the smallest surface roughness scale for which shadows exist.     

Interelement relationships and age-related variation of trace element concentrations in liver of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japanese coastal waters

Concentrations of 19 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Hg, and Pb) were determined in the liver of the striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) collected around Japan during 1977-1982 to examine the sex difference, age dependence, and interrelationships among trace elements. Tissue distribution of trace elements was also investigated in one adult and one fetus specimens. Generally, concentrations of Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, and Pb were higher in the tissues of adult than those of fetus, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Cr and Tl. There were no significant sex differences in the trace element levels in the liver. Significant positive correlations between age (0-26.5 years) and hepatic concentrations were found for Ag, Se, Hg, V, Fe, Pb, and Sr, suggesting their age-dependent accumulation in the liver. In contrast, hepatic concentrations of Mn and Zn decreased with age. Significant positive relationships were observed between Se, and Hg, Ag, V, Fe, and Sr in the liver.     

Interelement relationships and age-related variation of trace element concentrations in liver of striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) from Japanese coastal waters

Concentrations of 19 trace elements (V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, Ag, Cd, Sb, Cs, Ba, Tl, Hg, and Pb) were determined in the liver of the striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba) collected around Japan during 1977–1982 to examine the sex difference, age dependence, and interrelationships among trace elements. Tissue distribution of trace elements was also investigated in one adult and one fetus specimens. Generally, concentrations of Se, Sr, Ag, Cd, Cs, Ba, Hg, and Pb were higher in the tissues of adult than those of fetus, whereas the opposite trend was observed for Cr and Tl. There were no significant sex differences in the trace element levels in the liver. Significant positive correlations between age (0–26.5 years) and hepatic concentrations were found for Ag, Se, Hg, V, Fe, Pb, and Sr, suggesting their age-dependent accumulation in the liver. In contrast, hepatic concentrations of Mn and Zn decreased with age. Significant positive relationships were observed between Se, and Hg, Ag, V, Fe, and Sr in the liver.