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In this paper, the authors reviewed the empirical augmented reality (AR) and online education studies, and those focused on designing or development of AR to help students learn, published in SSCI, SCI-EXPANDED, and A&HCI journals from 2003 to 2012. The authors in this study found that the number of AR and online education studies has significantly increased since 2009. Based on this review, it is found that contributors from Spain, Romania, Taiwan, and Germany had the most publications on AR and online education during 2003 to 2012. Moreover, the analysis of these selected papers reveals that most empirical AR and online education studies were conducted at universities, as well as in computer science courses. Furthermore, the quantitative research method was used more in the reviewed papers. The findings and analysis from this review may provide potential directions and insights for future AR and online education research.

In theory, computer game-based learning can support several vocabulary learning affordances that have been identified in the foreign language learning research. In the observable evidence, learning with computer games has been shown to improve performance on vocabulary recall tests. However, while simple recall can be a sign of learning, observation of skill application in communication is a better indicator of skill mastery. Further, observing this use in separate communicative contexts could constitute evidence of transferability of skills. Hence, this paper presents the results of two investigations of learning outcomes in EFL classes at a Japanese university using computer game-based lessons. The first study was a quasi-experiment comparing use of targeted words in a writing task between a group of students who participated in a computer game-based lesson, and a group of students who did not. The second study was a cross sectional analysis comparing use of targeted vocabulary in a writing task with amount of participation in computer game-based lessons. The results suggest that computer game-based approaches to foreign language education in real-world classrooms can improve transferability of learned vocabulary.

The March of 2011 earthquake and tsunami that caused a loss of power at the Fukushima nuclear power plants (FNPP) resulted in emission of radioactive isotopes into the atmosphere and the ocean. In June of 2011, an international survey of various radionuclide isotopes, including 137Cs, was conducted in surface and subsurface waters off Japan. This paper presents the results of numerical simulations aimed at interpreting these observations, investigating the spread of Fukushima-derived radionuclides off the coast of Japan and into the greater Pacific Ocean, studying the dominant mechanisms governing this process, as well as estimating the total amount of radionuclides in discharged coolant waters and atmospheric airborne radionuclide fallout. The numerical simulations are based on two different ocean circulation models, one inferred from AVISO altimetry and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis wind stress, and the second generated numerically by the NCOM model. Our simulations determine that > 95% of 137Cs remaining in the water within ~600 km of Fukushima, Japan in mid-June 2011 was due to the direct oceanic discharge. The estimated strength of the oceanic source is 16.2±1.6 PBq, based on minimizing the model-data mismatch. We cannot make an accurate estimate for the atmospheric source strength since most of the fallout cesium would have moved out of the survey area by mid-June. The model explained several features of the observed 137Cs distribution. First, the absence of 137Cs at the southern- most stations is attributed to the Kuroshio Current acting as a transport barrier against the southward progression of 137Cs. Second, the largest 137Cs concentrations were associated with a semi-permanent eddy that entrained 137Cs-rich waters collecting and stirring them around the eddy perimeter. Finally, the intermediate 137Cs concentrations at the westernmost stations were attributed to younger, and therefore less Cs-rich, coolant waters that continued to leak from the reactor in June of that year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes extensive applications of virtual collaborative space in order to enhance the efficiency and capability of Digital Campus. The usability of Digital Campus has been experimented in different learning environments and evaluated by questionnaire as that the presence technology and a sense of solidarity influence the participants' satisfaction in both real and distant education. The achievement scores and communicability rates were also higher for those studied in the classroom with 3D virtual space. In the efforts of constructing a more efficient Digital Campus model, newer and additional functions and applications of virtual collaborative space have been explored and experimented to expand educational opportunities and possibilities without limitations and restrictions in terms of time and location, in accordance with the advancements of mobile devices and the expansion of ubiquitous environments. (Contains 3 tables and 10 figures.)

This paper describes a system called GENTORO that uses a robot and a handheld projector for supporting children's storytelling activities. GENTORO differs from many existing systems in that children can make a robot play their own story in a physical space augmented by mixed-reality technologies. Pilot studies have been conducted to clarify the design requirements of GENTORO from both technological and practical viewpoints. A user study indicates that GENTORO's ability to enable manipulation of a robot using a handheld projector in a physical space can enhance children's embodied participation in, and their level of engagement with, their storytelling activities, and can support children in designing and expressing creative and original stories. (Contains 2 tables and 10 figures.)

Since the 1990s, simulation and organizational studies have been conducted in Japan. In this paper, we review the simulation and organizational studies in Japan, including the relationships between researchers. The global trend is to cite the results of simulation studies as metaphors. By contrast, in Japan, there are unique research groups which critically examine the existing models, perform simulations, and further test them against survey data. The lessons they learned are: (a) The animation of the simulation results stir the imagination of researchers and business persons. However, (b) if the phenomena indicated by simulation and the reality of parameter values are not supported by the survey data, the implications derived from simulation are no more than a delusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literary translation encompasses not only the communication of ideas across cultures but also the conversion of one word into another. The translation of Japanese literature will, therefore, undoubtedly convey this foreign culture. This study examines the semantic expression of words, the NN model for common sense reasoning, the method of building a common sense knowledge base, and the translation of Japanese literary language with an emphasis on the semantic expression and reasoning methods of natural language based on NN. The network structure, parameter processing, learning algorithm, and learning samples are all discussed in detail at the same time as the integrated NN model is presented. According to simulation results, this algorithm can achieve an accuracy of about 95% and a recall rate of about 96.5%. In addition to greatly enhancing the model's flexibility and popularity, this approach successfully addresses the issue of information loss. It can offer some references for both the translation of literary language and the understanding of natural language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rational rheology model is critical for the numerical simulation of debris-flow behavior. The Bingham model commonly used in many current studies has failed to simulate the shear thickening and thinning phenomenon in experiments. We report an alternative solution by incorporating the Herschel-Bulkley-Papanastasiou (HBP) model with the smoothed particle hydrodynamic (SPH) method. The SPH simulation is based on the open-source DualSPHysics scheme, upon which we built a development by the Bingham-based rheology model in our previous study. In this paper, a straightforward improvement is made such that the HBP model is incorporated to describe the constitutive law between particles, extending the compatibility of the simulation to dilatant and pseudoplastic fluids. To illustrate the performance of the HBP-based SPH method, first, a sensitivity analysis was performed to investigate the influence of important rheological coefficients. The proposed method was then verified by a dam-break experiment of water-clay mixtures and the case study of the 2010 Yohutagawa debris-flow event in Japan. The results indicate a good accordance between simulation and observation. A discussion regarding the potential and limitations of the current method concludes the paper. • An HBP-based SPH method is proposed for numerical simulation of debris flows. • Shear thickening and thinning phenomenon of debris-flow mixture can be simulated. • A sensitivity analysis on the HBP rheological model is conducted. • The performance of the proposed method has been verified by experiment and case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that northward winds are often observed at southern coastal areas of Japan when a developed tropical cyclone is located off the south coast of Japan. These northward winds have been frequently referred to the northward emission of warm and humid air from the typhoon which cause pre-typhoon rainfalls, but their mechanism has not been clarified. In this paper, we show that the northward wind can be explained by the ageostrophic wind components dynamically induced by acceleration vector round the tropical cyclone. On 7 October 2009, when a developed typhoon (T0918 Melor) approached Japan, distinct northward winds were observed at aerological observations over western Japan. Using numerical simulations with the Japan Meteorological Agency nonhydrostatic model, we reproduced the observed northward wind and their mechanism were examined by numerical experiments. The origin of the northward winds is explained by the ageostrophic winds dynamically induced by the acceleration vectors. When a typhoon approaches a baroclinic zone from south, northeastward ageostrophic winds are induced by southeastward acceleration vectors. Other possible causes (diabatic heating and orographic effect) are examined by sensitivity experiments. Diabatic heating by moist process acts to enhance the ageostrophic winds but the role is not primary. Orography has little effect on the observed ageostrophic wind. Non-axisymmetric features of the upper level divergence flow of a tropical cyclone near a baroclinic zone can also be elucidated by the similar mechanism of the ageostrophic winds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency will launch the Engineering Test Satellite VIII (ETS-VIII) in 2006 to support the next generation of mobile satellite communications covering the area of Japan (beam coverage El = 38° to 58°). In this paper, a satellite-tracking left-handed circularly polarized triangular-patch array antenna is developed for ground applications. The targeted minimum gain of the antenna is set to 5 dBic at the central elevation angle (El = 48°), in the Tokyo area, for applications using data transfer of around a hundred kbps. The antenna is composed of three equilateral triangular patches for both reception and transmission units operating at 2.50 and 2.65 GHz frequency bands, respectively. The antenna was simulated by method of moments (MoM) analysis, and measurement of the fabricated antenna was performed to confirm the simulation results. The measurement results show that the frequency characteristics and the 5-dBic gain coverage in the conical-cut plane of the fabricated antenna satisfy the specifications for ETS-VIII. A prototype of the proposed antenna system is employed in outdoor experiments using a pseudosatellite and shows good performance from El = 38° to 58°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the relationship between the predicted track of Typhoon Mawar (2023) and the quasi-stationary front along the southern coast of Japan where heavy rainfall occurred. Also, the role of ocean coupling was explored by using global model predictions and numerical simulations conducted by a regional atmosphere–wave–ocean coupled model. The track predictions by four major global models showed that the prediction errors became significantly larger after the recurvature. One of the global models could reasonably predict both the track and the location of the front, even after five days. The results of numerical simulations of which the initial and boundary conditions were based on the successful predictions suggest that ocean coupling contributes to the improvement of central pressure simulations compared with fixed oceanic conditions. More northward translation of Mawar after the recurvature simulated by the coupled model could be explained by the separation of the inner-core vortex into two parts in the upper and lower troposphere. However, the predictability of the Subtropical High was more important in determining not only the track but also environmental southerly flow over the moisture road formed between Mawar and the Subtropical High and in accurately predicting the location of the front. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frequent and long-term commuting is a requirement for dialysis patients. Accessibility thus affects their quality of lives. In this paper, a new model for accessibility measurement is proposed in which both geographic distance and facility capacity are taken into account. Simulation of closure of rural facilities and that of capacity transfer between urban and rural facilities are conducted to evaluate the impacts of these phenomena on equity of accessibility among dialysis patients., Methods: Post code information as of August 2011 of all the 7,374 patients certified by municipalities of Hiroshima prefecture as having first or third grade renal disability were collected. Information on post code and the maximum number of outpatients (capacity) of all the 98 dialysis facilities were also collected. Using geographic information systems, patient commuting times were calculated in two models: one that takes into account road distance (distance model), and the other that takes into account both the road distance and facility capacity (capacity-distance model). Simulations of closures of rural and urban facilities were then conducted., Results: The median commuting time among rural patients was more than twice as long as that among urban patients (15 versus 7 minutes, p<0.001). In the capacity-distance model 36.1% of patients commuted to the facilities which were different from the facilities in the distance model, creating a substantial gap of commuting time between the two models. In the simulation, when five rural public facilitiess were closed, Gini coefficient of commuting times among the patients increased by 16%, indicating a substantial worsening of equity, and the number of patients with commuting times longer than 90 minutes increased by 72 times. In contrast, closure of four urban public facilities with similar capacities did not affect these values., Conclusions: Closures of dialysis facilities in rural areas have a substantially larger impact on equity of commuting times among dialysis patients than closures of urban facilities. The accessibility simulations using the capacity-distance model will provide an analytic framework upon which rational resource distribution policies might be planned.

The subduction of the Philippine Sea (PHS) plate along the Nankai Trough in in southwest Japan is a relatively recent process compared with subduction along the Japan Trench in northeast Japan. However, the tectonic evolution of the PHS plate along the Nankai Trough is still controversial and not fully understood. There are several competing hypotheses based on different estimates for the time variations of convergence rate and plate age. Our study employs numerical modelling of subduction in order to evaluate the slab evolution for the last 15 Myr and aims to evaluate each tectonic scenario against the present-day slab geometry along a profile passing through the Shikoku and Chugoku regions. The modelling strategy involves a parameter study where subduction initiation and various subduction parameters are analyzed in terms of subduction geometry evolution. Two-dimensional visco-elasto-plastic numerical simulations of spontaneous bending subduction predict that convergence rate and plate age variations play an important role in the evolution of subduction geometry. Modeling results after 15 Myr of evolution reveal that the tectonic model based on a high convergence rate between ~ 15 Ma and ~ 3 Ma produces a slab geometry that agrees well with the observed present-day slab shape specific for the Shikoku and Chugoku regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports theoretical and experimental studies on spatio-temporal dynamics in the choruses of male Japanese tree frogs. First, we theoretically model their calling times and positions as a system of coupled mobile oscillators. Numerical simulation of the model as well as calculation of the order parameters show that the spatio-temporal dynamics exhibits bistability between two-cluster antisynchronization and wavy antisynchronization, by assuming that the frogs are attracted to the edge of a simple circular breeding site. Second, we change the shape of the breeding site from the circle to rectangles including a straight line, and evaluate the stability of two-cluster and wavy antisynchronization. Numerical simulation shows that two-cluster antisynchronization is more frequently observed than wavy antisynchronization. Finally, we recorded frog choruses at an actual paddy field using our sound-imaging method. Analysis of the video demonstrated a consistent result with the aforementioned simulation: namely, two-cluster antisynchronization was more frequently realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper seeks to investigate the effectiveness of sea-defense structures in preventing/reducing the tsunami overtopping as well as evaluating the resulting tsunami impact at El Jadida, Morocco. Different tsunami wave conditions are generated by considering various earthquake scenarios of magnitudes ranging from Mw = 8.0 to Mw = 8.6. These scenarios represent the main active earthquake faults in the SW Iberia margin and are consistent with two past events that generated tsunamis along the Atlantic coast of Morocco. The behaviour of incident tsunami waves when interacting with coastal infrastructures is analysed on the basis of numerical simulations of near-shore tsunami waves' propagation. Tsunami impact at the affected site is assessed through computing inundation and current velocity using a high-resolution digital terrain model that incorporates bathy-metric, topographic and coastal structures data. Results, in terms of near-shore tsunami propagation snapshots, waves' interaction with coastal barriers, and spatial distributions of flow depths and speeds, are presented and discussed in light of what was observed during the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami. Predicted results show different levels of impact that different tsunami wave conditions could generate in the region. Existing coastal barriers around the El Jadida harbour succeeded in reflecting relatively small waves generated by some scenarios, but failed in preventing the overtopping caused by waves from others. Considering the scenario highly impacting the El Jadida coast, significant inundations are computed at the sandy beach and unprotected areas. The modelled dramatic tsunami impact in the region shows the need for additional tsunami standards not only for sea-defense structures but also for the coastal dwellings and houses to provide potential in-place evacuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: On March 11, 2011, Japan was shaken by the 2011 off the Pacific coast of Tohoku earthquake (the Great East Japan Earthquake). This paper reports some aspects of this earthquake related to long-period ground motions and its impact on building structural design. It was reported that long-period ground motions were induced extensively in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. The response of high-rise buildings to the recorded ground motions during this earthquake and the simulated ground motions provided by the Japanese Government is discussed from the viewpoint of resonance and critical excitation. The main topics of this paper are (i) the investigations on uncertainties in long-period ground motions (uncertainty in predominant frequency, duration and amplitude) and (ii) its impact on structural design of super high-rise buildings. It is shown finally that the earthquake input energy and its bound analysis lead to clearer understanding of the effect of long-period ground motion on building structural design. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the motion control of a microrobot swarm, a key issue is how to autonomously generate a set of common coordinates among all robots and how to notify each robot of its heading direction in the generated common coordinates without any special devices for estimating location and bearing. This paper proposes a set of common coordinates and a heading direction generation method for a robot swarm with only received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measured through wireless communications.We explain the principle of the proposed method and show some computer simulation results on the location and direction estimation errors. Finally, we demonstrate some experimental results using a swarm composed of five robots with the IEEE 802.15.4 standard as its wireless communication tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of natural gas hydrates as an alternative energy source has garnered significant attention due to their proven potential. Despite the successful offshore natural gas hydrate production tests, commercial exploitation has not been achieved. This study aims to enhance the understanding of gas production behavior through simulations from a single vertical well in the Nankai Trough and assess the effectiveness of the step-wise depressurization method for gas production using TOUGH + HYDRATE. The simulation results showed that the effective permeability for the water phase decreased as the hydrates were decomposed, and the invasion of the pore water from the underburden eliminated this effect. Compared with the direct depressurization method, the step-wise depressurization method significantly increased the cumulative gas production by more than 10% and mitigated the rapid generation of gas and water production during the moment of depressurization. The results also indicated that the depressurization gradient was more sensitive to the cumulative gas production than the maintenance time of depressurization. In view of the gas and water production characteristics coupled with the challenges in carrying out the step-wise depressurization method, it is suggested that a depressurization gradient of 1 MPa and a maintenance time of 1 day should be employed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the method and process of using 3S technology on a landscape engineering project. Through a case study on the Bailin landscape construction project in Tsukuba, Japan, this paper argues that strengthening the drafting capabilities of 3S technology (e.g., comprehensive database management, mapping, landscape simulation, and data updating) will create the type of integrated platform for engineering design and management needed to increase the efficiency of landscape engineering projects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of Floating Offshore Wind Turbines (FOWT) has been progressing steadily. To utilize the moderate water depth of 50–100 m ocean space around Japan, a barge-type FOWT was installed in Kitakyushu as part of a demonstration project conducted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan. The FOWT mounts a 3 MW two-bladed wind turbine with blade diameter of 100 m and hub height of 72 m. The barge-type floating support structure is equipped with a moonpool in the center and a skirt at its bottom and is moored with 9 lines of catenary chains. To investigate the dynamic behavior of the barge-type FOWT in extreme condition and the validity of the numerical simulation in modeling the effect of the complex flow around the floating structure to the FOWT's motion response, the FOWT's motion data during typhoon Tapah on 23 September 2019 were measured and compared with the simulation results. As the results, the simulation results showed a good agreement in general to the measurement data. However, some shifts in the peak frequency of the simulation's motion spectrum and a disagreement in waves with shorter wave periods were also observed. The possible causes of these differences are discussed thoroughly in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A computational study was conducted to examine the seismic performance of steel moment‐resisting frames (MRFs) provided with chevron concentric braces. Such steel systems are widely used for buildings in Japan. Nonlinear finite‐element‐method models were validated against data and observations from previously tested chevron‐braced MRF specimens. The validated models were used to conduct a parametric study to understand how the cyclic‐loading performance of chevron‐braced MRFs may be affected by the torsional and translational restraint of the beam intersected by braces, the relative strength of the beam with respect to the braces, and the type of bracing connection. The results suggest that the lack of bracing of the beam intersected by braces may not be detrimental to the global hysteretic behavior of the structural system, although out‐of‐plane buckling of the braces can cause severe inelastic lateral‐torsional deformation of the beam. The torsional moment delivered by the braces was evaluated for the unfavorable arrangement where the bracing connections are rigid, and the braces are oriented to buckle out of the plane. A design procedure was examined that can account for the dependency of the energy dissipation mechanism on the cyclic loading history. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are one of the most dangerous but least understood phenomena of volcanic eruptions. An open-source numerical depth-averaged model of dense granular currents controlled by physical processes such as energy dissipation, basal deposition, and erosion (faSavageHutterFOAM) was applied to investigate the basal concentrated region of a dome-collapse PDC generated on June 3, 1991 at Unzen volcano (Japan) to assess the effects of the physical processes (and their interplay) on the flow dynamics and run-out area of the PDC. Numerical simulations show that energy dissipation process decreases the flow velocity and increases the basal deposition rate, which reduces the run-out distance. The simulations also reveal that erosion process during flow propagation decreases the flow velocity and increases the run-out distance. The numerical results are sensitive to the parameters of energy dissipation (dry friction coefficient μ and collisional or turbulent friction coefficient χ) and erosion (specific erosion energy eb). The results are fitted to field data for run-out distance and flow velocity when μ is between 0.01 and 0.1 with χ∼103 m-1 s-2 (or when χ is between 104 and 105 m-1 s-2 with μ∼0.2) and eb∼102 m2 s-2. The estimated value of eb suggests that re-entrainment of deposit mass played an important role in controlling the flow dynamics and run-out area of the PDC. The estimated values of μ and χ are correlated, but the estimation of these parameters might be improved by further constraints from field data. The presented results serve as a basis to make further quantitative estimations of the model parameters (μ, χ, and eb) for applying the faSavageHutterFOAM model to hazard assessments of PDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical simulation is a useful method for studying the magmatic-hydrothermal systems of volcanoes. However, no comprehensive scheme has been established for constructing subsurface permeability structures that have a significant impact on fluid flow within the volcano. In this study, as a first step to establishing such a scheme, numerical simulations of hydrothermal fluid flow incorporating the heterogeneous properties of the permeability structure were performed utilizing the resistivity structure observed at Kusatsu-Shirane Volcano, central Japan. Although the constructed permeability structure was relatively simple, the simulation results closely reproduced some observations, such as the broad resistivity structure and the distribution and discharge patterns of hot springs around the volcano. These results suggest that the uncertainty in generating permeability structures in hydrothermal fluid flow simulations can be greatly reduced by using resistivity structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repeating M5-class earthquakes occurred with a regular recurrence interval on the plate boundary offshore Kamaishi before the 2011 M9 Tohoku-oki earthquake. Since this event, 11 repeating events of M5- M6 have occurred with shorter recurrence intervals than before the M9 event. We performed a forecast experiment on the Kamaishi repeaters after the Tohoku-oki earthquake based on numerical simulations assuming a large patch containing a small patch on a fault model that undergoes continuous afterslip. Simulations were conducted for various parameter values to produce time history of repeated ruptures. To forecast the Ith event, we selected several modeled sequences that are able to accurately reproduce the observed event sequence up to the ( I − 1)th event. The averages of the occurrence times and magnitudes over the selected sequences were used as ensemble forecasts. We attempted to predict the 7th event to the 11th event and discussed the obtained forecast spreads and errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the low-energy region of a high-intensity ion linac, a strong space-charge field causes a rapid beam emittance growth over a short distance of only a few meters. The beam emittance growth leads to beam loss and machine activation, raising a serious issue for regular maintenance of the accelerator component and beam power ramp-up. We studied the mechanism of beam emittance growth due to the space-charge field based on three-dimensional particle-tracking simulation and theoretical considerations. Numerical simulations of the high-intensity H− (negative hydrogen) linac at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex shows that the nonlinear terms in the space-charge field directly cause beam emittance growth and beam halo formation. We also propose a method to mitigate the beam emittance growth by using an octupole magnetic field, which arises as one of the nonlinear terms in the space-charge field. By applying this method in the simulation we have succeeded in mitigating the beam emittance growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a conceptual geological model for the collision of multiple basement topographic highs (BTHs; e.g., seamounts, ridges, and horsts) with a forearc accretionary wedge. Even though there are many BTHs on an oceanic plate, there are few examples of modeling the collision of multiple BTHs. We conducted numerical simulations using the discrete element method to examine the effects of three BTH collisions with forearcs. The typical geological structure associated with a BTH collision was reproduced during the collision of the first BTH, and multiple BTH collisions create a cycle of formation of BTH collisional structures. Each BTH forces the basal décollement to move up to the roof décollement, and the roof décollement becomes inactive after the passage of the BTH, and then the décollement moves down to the base. As the active décollement position changes, the sequences of underthrust sediments and uplifted imbricate thrusts are sandwiched between the décollements and incorporated into the wedge. At a low horizontal compressive stress, a "shadow zone" is formed behind (i.e., seaward of) the BTH. When the next BTH collides, the horizontal compressive stress increases and tectonic compaction progresses, which reduce the porosity in the underthrust sediments. Heterogeneous evolution of the geological and porosity structure can generate a distinctive pore pressure pattern. The underthrust sediments retain fluid in the "shadow" of the BTH. Under the strong horizontal compressive stresses associated with the next BTH collision, pore pressure increases along with a rapid reduction of porosity in the underthrust sediments. The distinctive structural features observed in our model are comparable to the large faults in the Kumano transect of the Nankai Trough, Japan, where a splay fault branches from the plate boundary and there are old and active décollements. A low-velocity and high-pore-pressure zone is located at the bottom of the accretionary wedge and in front (i.e., landward) of the subducting ridge in the Kumano transect. This suggests that strong horizontal compressive stresses associated with the current BTH collision has increased the pore pressure within the underthrust sediments associated with previous BTHs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have elucidated that white heads and chalky rice are caused by hot, dry and strong winds at night. However, these studies have only used synoptic weather charts and near‐surface observation data to confirm the role of foehn in white head occurrences. This study used a high‐resolution three‐dimensional numerical weather prediction model to show that strong foehn effects induced a significant number of white heads in rice in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. The model accurately predicted and represented the location and timing of the observed white heads, occurring only in a limited area (87.1 ha) on the southwest side of Mt. Chokai during the nighttime. Specifically, the simulated nocturnal FTP (transpiration forcing) continuously exceeded 30 at that location. This high FTP was caused by high temperature (>24°C), strong wind speed (>8 m s−1) and low humidity (<65%) caused by the strong foehn winds descending over the southwest slope of the mountain. In the other areas, FTP did not exceed 30 because either wind speed, water vapour deficit or both were insufficiently high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the results of regional scale atmospheric dispersion simulation of accidental emission of radionuclides from the Fukushima Daiichi Reactor, Japan following the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami event on 11 March 2011. The objective was to study the temporal behaviour of plume trajectory, concentration, deposition and radiation dose pattern over an 80 km range around the reactor. The time-varying meteorological parameters during the release period were simulated with a multi-scale nested atmospheric model WRF ARW and the trajectory, plume dispersion were computed with Lagrangian Particle Dispersion models HYSPLIT, FLEXPART using the available information on accidental source term. The simulations indicated that the wind flow over Japan during the release period was driven by the large scale extra-tropical westerly waves and associated low pressure systems. In the lower levels, the flow was influenced by the local topography/sea breeze causing occasional landward wind shift on the east coast of Japan. Simulated airflow trajectories revealed that the plume stayed over the ocean by westerly winds on most days and the radioactivity dispersed over sea surface. Landward trajectories were found on a few days due to southeasterly, easterly and northeasterly flow (15–17, 19–21 March 2011) during which much of the radionuclides deposited over the land region. The hotspot of depositions occurred over east Pacific Ocean near to Japan. Over the land relatively high depositions were simulated in a narrow zone of 20 km width and 80 km length in the northwest sector in agreement with monitor data. Simulations showed wet depositions over the land to be higher than the dry depositions during 12–30 March due to occurrence of rainfall on some days. Comparison of activity deposition and air dose values with available observations confirmed that the plume pattern in a finer length scale around the site could be simulated realistically and agree with the measurements within the limitations of the uncertainty in source term. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we propose a Kansei retrieval method based on the design pattern of traditional Japanese crafting object to provide a user with the desired presentation space in digital traditional Japanese crafting system. The visual quantitative feature values are extracted by using Visual Pattern Image Coding (VPIC). These values include the total number, the frequency, the dispersion rate and the deviation rate for different edges. The quantitative feature values for traditional Japanese crafting objects are registered in the multimedia database and the relation between Kansei words and the visual feature of traditional Japanese crafting objects are analyzed by using the questionnaire. Then, the visual features are compared with the quantitative feature values. Through the above process, we can find the relation between the design pattern components and edge types using VPIC. By finding this relation, the Kansei retrieval method can be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]