Observed relationship between the drag coefficient,Cd, and stability parameter, (−z/L)

Momentum and heat flux were measured with a sonic anemometer at the Marine Observation Tower in the port of ItÔ. Under unstable conditions (T _w -T _a =3C4C), using the eddy correlation method, results show thatCd=(1.2±0.3)×10^–3 andCh=(1.5±0.3)×10^–3 at 5.5 m above mean sea level except for the case of weak winds.An unexpected relationship betweenCd and (–z/L) was observed, that is,Cd decreases as (–z/L) increases. If roughness variation over the sea is taken into account, we can explain the decrease in the range of (–z/L) less than 1, but not in the range greater than 1. This is due to a strong instability effect and the change of roughness class, from moderately rough to smooth.     

Tectonic Setting of the Permo-Triassic Chiang Khong Volcanic Rocks, Northern Thailand Based on Petrochemical Characteristics

The inferred Permo-Triassic Chiang Khong volcanic belt is composed of felsic to mafic volcanic rocks and their pyroclastic equivalents. Almost all the least-altered mafic volcanic rocks are lava flows; a few might have occurred as dykes. These mafic volcanic rocks are non-foliated to weakly foliated, and mostly have porphyritic textures. The phenocrysts/microphenocrysts in porphyritic samples are commonly plagioclase, and may include clinopyroxene, olivine, Fe-Ti oxide, apatite and amphibole. The matrix of lava flows ranges texturally from felty to trachytic but a few samples show felty to ophitic/subophitic, and glassy textures, whereas that of possible dyke samples is holocrystalline. The primary matrix constituents are largely plagioclase and variable proportions of clinopyroxene, Fe-Ti oxide, amphibole, olivine, apatite, quartz, alkali feldspar and/or glass. All the studied samples have been subjected to greenschist-facies regional metamorphism. Chemically, the samples show narrow ranges of least-mobile incompatible-element ratios and range compositionally from dacite to basalt of tholeiitic series. These samples are chemically analogous to those of the Tertiary andesite from Sardinian Rift, Sardinia, Italy, particularly in terms of least-mobile incompatible-element ratios. Accordingly, the studied mafic volcanic rocks are interpreted to have formed in a continental volcanic arc. However, the problem related to the geometry of plate convergence, giving rise to the continental volcanic arc, still exists.     

Attenuation of coda waves and Q c value beneath the Chengdu telemetered seismic network

Based on the single scattering model of coda power spectrum analysis, digital waveform data of 50 events recorded by the real-time processing system of the Chengdu telemetry network are analyzed to estimate the Q _c values of earth medium beneath the Chengdu telemetry network for several specified frequencies. It is found that the Q _c shows the frequency dependency in the form of Q _c = Q ₀ f ⁿ in the range of 1.0 to 20.0Hz. Estimated Q ₀ ranges from 60.83 to 178.05, and n is found to be 0.713 to 1.159. The average value of Q ₀ and n are 117 and 0.978 respectively. This result indicates the strong frequency dependency of the attenuation of coda waves beneath the Chengdu telemetry network. Comparing with the results obtained in other regions of the world, it is found that Q ₀ ⁻¹ value and its change with frequency are similar to those in regions with strong tectonic activity. This subject is supported by the Ministry of Personnel, China for partly sponsoring.     

Chaotic Itinerancy and Thermalization in a One-Dimensional Self-Gravitating System

Long time behavior of one-dimensional self-gravitating system is numerically investigated. Itinerant behavior among quasiequilibria is discovered, and its origin is clarified. The macroscopic distributions of the quasiquilibria are different from the isothermal distribution, but the transient states, which appears between two successive quasiequilibria, resemble the isothermal distribution. Averaging over the is itinerancy gives approximately the thermal equilibrium. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Experimental study on the bidirectional inelastic deformation capacity of U‐shaped steel dampers for seismic isolated buildings

Hysteretic dampers are used to dissipate earthquake‐induced energy in base‐isolated structures by acquiring inelastic deformations, rendering their hysteretic behavior of vital importance. The present paper focuses on investigating the behavior of U‐shaped steel dampers under bidirectional loading; this is significantly different from their corresponding uniaxial behavior. Two main sets of loading tests on full‐scale specimens are conducted in this regard: (i) quasi‐static tests with simple histories and (ii) dynamic tests with realistic loading histories. Based on the results obtained in the quasi‐static tests, an interaction curve that accounts for the reduction of the cyclic deformation capacity is proposed. However, the fidelity of this relation must be assessed under loading conditions similar to those of a seismically isolated structure subjected to an earthquake, which represents the goal of the second set of tests. The results of the dynamic tests validate the proposed interaction curve for estimating the deformation capacity of U‐shaped steel dampers under bidirectional loading. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of ocean acidification on coastal phytoplankton composition and accompanying organic nitrogen production

The effect of ocean acidification, caused by the increase in pCO₂ in seawater, on phytoplankton population and on related organic nitrogen production was experimentally examined by use of a natural coastal microbial population. pCO₂ and pH were controlled by aeration with air in which pCO₂ was at the current level (control), for which ambient air was used, and with air in which pCO₂ was ??800?? and ??1200?? ppm, in 500-L culture vessels. The experiment was continued for 15?days after addition of the inorganic nutrients such as nitrate, phosphate, and silicate. During most of the experimental period, a minor increase in phytoplankton biomass was noted, probably because of low irradiance, an increase in phytoplankton biomass was observed at the end of the experiment. Flow cytometric and microscopic observations revealed that this increase was because of Chrysochromulina sp. (Haptophyceae). The growth of Chrysochromulina sp. was most obvious in the control vessel, and tended to be obscured by increasing pCO₂ (decrease in pH), indicating the possibility that ocean acidification inhibits the growth of specific phytoplankton groups, for example Chrysochromulina sp. Production of particulate organic nitrogen (PON), determined by the ¹⁵N tracer method, also diminished under acidified conditions compared with that at the current level.     

Levels and distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and organochlorine compounds in sea turtles from Japan

Three species of sea turtles (green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles) stranded along the coasts or caught (by-catch) around Ishigaki Island and Kochi, Japan were collected between 1998 and 2006 and analyzed for six organohalogen compounds viz., PBDEs, PCBs, DDTs, CHLs, HCHs and HCB. The present study is the first and foremost to report the occurrence of organohalogen compounds in the sea turtles from Japan. Among the compounds analyzed, concentrations of PCBs, DDTs and CHLs were the highest in all the turtle samples. PBDEs were ubiquitously present in all the turtle species. Comparing with the other two species, concentrations of organohalogens in green turtle were relatively low and decreasing trend in the concentrations were noted with increasing carapace length. Concentrations of OCs in sea turtles from the coasts of Ishigaki Island and Kochi were relatively low as compared to those from other locations in the world.     

Shaking Maps for Scenario Earthquakes by Applying the Upgraded Version of the Strong Ground Motion Prediction Method ��Recipe��

The strong ground motion prediction method ??Recipe?? was published by the Headquarters for Earthquake Research Promotion (HERP) of Japan. HERP has applied this method to prepare shaking maps for scenario earthquakes in specific active faults. Recently, Recipe was updated following its verification by simulations of strong ground motions associated with the Mw?=?6.6 off-shore earthquake west of Fukuoka prefecture in 2005, which occurred in the northwest part of the Kego fault zone located in northern Kyushu, Japan. One of the prominent changes in the upgraded version of Recipe is the inclusion of a procedure to evaluate seismic intensities on the ground surface from waveforms of S-wave velocity of 400?m/s on the engineering bedrock. By applying the upgraded version of Recipe, we have made shaking-maps for earthquakes in the southeast part of the Kego fault zone, which is located directly below the mega-city of Fukuoka. We assume four source models for scenario earthquakes; the locations of the asperities and the hypocenters vary between the models. The results show that in all cases, disastrous seismic intensities can strike a wide area of Fukuoka city. Differences in the distributions of seismic intensities among the four cases can be clearly observed in the area located on the extension of the source fault. Furthermore, we construct a velocity-layer structure model on the engineering bedrock for the central area of Fukuoka city. We assess not only the distribution of seismic intensities but also waveforms on the ground by using an equivalent linear method for the central area of Fukuoka city.     

Ship berthing and mooring monitoring system by pneumatic-type fenders

Ship berthing and mooring monitoring system by using pneumatic-type fenders has been proposed. This system consists of present berth monitoring system including a mooring line load monitoring system, and a fender load monitoring system. The fender loads such as fender deflection and reaction force are calculated by measuring inner air pressure of the pneumatic fenders, which have unique characteristics in performance. Furthermore both loads for the mooring lines and the fenders can be used to estimate moored ship motions simultaneously. Total ship monitoring system at jetty can be achieved and contributes safe ship berthing and mooring.