Holographic View of Cosmological Perturbations

The cosmological perturbation theory is revisited from the holographic point of view. In the case of the single brane model, it turns out that the AdS/CFT correspondence plays an important role. In the case of the two-brane model, it is shown that the effective equations of motion becomes the quasi-scalar-tensor gravity. It is also demonstrated that the radion anisotropy gives the CMB fluctuations through the Sachs-Wolfe effect. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Archeological evidence of Pacific salmon distribution in northern Japan and implications for future global warming

Archeological evidence of Pacific salmon in Hokkaido is reviewed and compared with results from western North America. Salmon remains have been found at 24 sites in Hokkaido from the Early Jomon Period to the Ainu Period (6000–100 years ago). Fish remains at three archeological sites in the Kushiro River basin indicated that Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) were distributed and utilized from 6000 years ago. The present Kushiro Wetland was formerly covered with seawater and called the Paleo Kushiro Bay 5000–6000 years ago. Based on the molluscan fossil fauna, seawater temperature at Paleo Kushiro Bay was about 5°C warmer than at present. Warmer conditions for salmon in Kushiro 5000–6000 years ago corresponded with the poor conditions for salmon in the Columbia River basin 6000–7000 years ago. If the future global warming is similar to the conditions that prevailed 5000–6000 years ago, the southern limit of salmon distribution will shift northwards and the salmon production will decrease. However, they will not disappear from either Hokkaido or southwestern North America.     

Distributions and upward fluxes of particulate matter near bottom in the southeastern Bering Sea Shelf

Time-series measurements of temperature, salinity, suspended matter and beam attenuation coefficient () were measured at four hour intervals for about two days in June/ July 1982 in the middle shelf region and the coastal region of the southeastern Bering Sea. Current meters were also moored at the same locations.Depth-time distributions of indicated that profiles of suspended matter resulted from a combined process of resuspension of underlying sediments and sinking of suspended particles. Average-values for all measurements for particles revealed that the upward transport of particles due to resuspension formed a boundary layer, with a thickness apparently related to scalar speed. The average-profiles of the particle volume concentration were assumed to result from a balance between the sinking and diffusive flux of particles under a steady state, and the upward fluxes were calculated. Within the boundary layer, values of the upward fluxes of particulate organic matter linearly decreased with the logarithm of distance from the bottom. Fluxes of organic carbon at the upper edge of the boundary layer were 0.375 gC·m^–2·day^–1 in the middle shelf region (18 m above the bottom, bottom depth=78m) and 0.484gC·m^–2·day^–1 in the coastal region (25 m above the bottom, bottom depth=33m), and fluxes of nitrogen in both regions were 0.067 gN·m^–2·day^–1. The flux of organic carbon obtained in the middle shelf region (18 m above the bottom) agreed approximately with the flux (0.416 gC·m^–2·day^–1) calculated by substituting primary production data into the empirical equation of Suess (1980).     

Assimilated carbon budget for the hyperiid amphipodThemisto japonica (bovallius) from the Japan sea as influenced by temperature

Using a growth model based on moult number, the assimilated carbon budget was constructed forThemisto japonica growing from the specimens just released from the marsupium to mature adults at 1–15°C. As budget parameters, growth (G), metabolism (Me), moult (Mo), and reproduction (Re) were measured and assimilation (A) was estimated as the sum of these four parameters (A=G+Me +Mo +Re). The results of the lifetime budget indicated that among these parameters the greatest allocation ofA was toMe (70–83%). Lifetime expenditure of carbon forMe was the least at 7°C, andMe increased with either increase or decrease of the temperature from 7°C. A female grown to full adult size at 7°C invested 16.6 % forG, 70.2% forMe, 2.1% forMo, and 11.1% forRe of totalA. General features seen in the partition ofA toG, Me, Mo, andRe forT. japonica are similar to those of other planktonic crustaceans being reported. Considering the profound effect of temperature on the assimilated carbon budget, practical problems in defining the representative habitat temperature for diel vertical migrators likeT. japonica in the field are discussed.     

A growth model for a hyperiid amphipodThemisto japonica (bovallius) in the Japan Sea,based on its intermoult period and moult increment

Themisto japonica was reared at 1, 5, 8, and 12°C in the laboratory to estimate its intermoult period (IP) and increase in body length (BL) at each moulting (BL).IP was found to be a function of temperature andBL of the specimens, longerIPs being associated with lower temperature and larger specimens.BL was not affected by temperature but increased with growth of the specimens. Observations on consecutive moults indicated that one new segment was added to pleopod rami at each moulting.BLs obtained from the measurement of the segment number of pleopod rami andBL of wild specimens were slightly larger than values obtained from laboratory-raised specimens.IP data obtained from laboratory-reared specimens are combined withBL data from wild specimens to establish a growth model forT. japonica from its release from the marsupium (1.31 mmBL) to the maximum size (17 mmBL) as a function of temperature. This growth model predicts that a total of of 18 moultings is needed forT. japonica to reach the maximum size regardless of temperature, although the time needed to reach the maximum size is highly dependent on temperature. The life cycle, from the newly released larvae (1.31 mmBL) to the spent females (10–17 mmBL), was estimated as 333–593 days at 1°C, 195–347 days at 5°C, 118–210 days at 10°C and 82–146 days at 15°C; the last may be the upper temperature limit forT. japonica. Growth rates ofT. japonica expressed on the basis of body mass are comparable to the rates of euphausiids of equivalent size when the effect of temperature is accounted for. Feeding conditions ofT. japonica in the field are also discussed.     

Preserved paleo-oceanic plateaus in accretionary complexes: Implications for the contributions of the Pacific superplume to global environmental change

We have reinvestigated the mid-Cretaceous plume pulse in relation to paleo-oceanic plateaus from accretionary prisms in the circum-Pacific region, and we have correlated the Pacific superplume activity with catastrophic environmental changes since the Neoproterozoic. The Paleo-oceanic plateaus are dated at 75–150 Ma; they were generated in the Pacific superplume region and are preserved in accretionary prisms. The volcanic edifice composed of both modern and paleo-oceanic plateaus is up to 10.7 × 10⁶ km² in area and 19.1 × 10⁷ km³ in volume. The degassing rate of CO₂ (0.82 − 1.1 × 10¹⁸ mol/m.y.) suggests a significant impact on Cretaceous global warming. The synchronous occurrence of paleo-oceanic plateaus in accretionary complexes indicates that Pacific superplume pulse activities roughly coincided at the Permo-Triassic boundary and the Vendian–Cambrian boundary interval. The CO₂ expelled by the Pacific superplume probably contributed to environmental catastrophes. The initiation of the Pacific superplume contributed to the snowball Earth event near the Vendian–Cambrian boundary; this was one of the most dramatic events in Earth's history. The scale of the Pacific superplume activity roughly corresponds to the scale of drastic environmental change.     

Seismic response predictions of multi‐span steel bridges through pushover analysis

In the new trend of seismic design methodology, the static pushover analysis is recommended for simple or regular structures whilst the time‐history analysis is recommended for complex structures. To this end, the applicable range of the pushover analysis has to be clarified. This study aims at investigating the applicability of pushover analysis to multi‐span continuous bridge systems with thin‐walled steel piers. The focus is concentrated on the response demand predictions in longitudinal or transverse directions. The pushover analysis procedure for such structures is firstly summarized and then parametric studies are carried out on bridges with different types of superstructure‐pier bearing connections. The considered parameters, such as piers' stiffness distribution and pier–0.5ptdeck stiffness ratio, are varied to cover both regular and irregular structures. Finally, the relation of the applicability of pushover analysis to different structural formats is demonstrated and a criterion based on the higher modal contribution is proposed to quantitatively specify the applicable range. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic performance evaluation of steel arch bridges against major earthquakes. Part 1: dynamic analysis approach

In this study the inelastic behavior of steel arch bridges subjected to strong ground motions from major earthquakes is investigated by dynamic analyses of a typical steel arch bridge using a three‐dimensional (3D) analytical model, since checking seismic performance against severe earthquakes is not usually performed when designing such kinds of bridge. The bridge considered is an upper‐deck steel arch bridge having a reinforced concrete (RC) deck, steel I‐section girders and steel arch ribs. The input ground motions are accelerograms which are modified ground motions based on the records from the 1995 Hyogoken‐Nanbu earthquake. Both the longitudinal and transverse dynamic characteristics of the bridge are studied by investigation of time‐history responses of the main parameters. It is found that seismic responses are small when subjected to the longitudinal excitation, but significantly large under the transverse ground motion due to plasticization formed in some segments such as arch rib ends and side pier bases where axial force levels are very high. Finally, a seismic performance evaluation method based on the response strain index is proposed for such steel bridge structures. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure, biomass distribution and trophodynamics of the pelagic ecosystem in the Oyashio region, western subarctic Pacific

Biomass distribution and trophodynamics in the oceanic ecosystem in the Oyashio region are presented and analyzed, combining the seasonal data for plankton and micronekton collected at Site H since 1996 with data for nekton and other animals at higher trophic levels from various sources. The total biomass of biological components including bacteria, phytoplankton, microzooplankton, mesozooplankton, micronekton, fishes/squids and marine birds/mammals was 23 g C m⁻², among which the most dominant component was mesozooplankton (34% of the total), followed by phytoplankton (28%), bacteria (15%) and microzooplankton (protozoans) (14%). The remainder (9%) was largely composed of micronekton and fish/squid. Marine mammals/birds are only a small fraction (0.14%) of the total biomass. Large/medium grazing copepods (Neocalaus spp., Eucalanus bungii and Metridia spp.) accounted for 77% of the mesozooplankton biomass. Based on information about diet composition, predators were assigned broadly into mean trophic level 3–4, and carbon flow through the grazing food chain was established based on the estimated annual production/food consumption balance of each trophic level. From the food chain scheme, ecological efficiencies as high as 24% were calculated for the primary/secondary production and 21% for the secondary/tertiary production. Biomass and production of bacteria were estimated as 1/10 of the respective values for phytoplankton at Site H, but the role of the microbial food chain remains unresolved in the present analysis. As keystone species in the oceanic Oyashio region, Neocalanus spp. are suggested as a vital link between primary production and production of pelagic fishes, mammals and birds.