Return period of enhanced gamma ray dose rates: regional differences observed in Japan

We estimated the return period of an increased gamma ray dose rate (Delta gamma) derived from (222)Rn progeny deposited with precipitation. The approximate probability distribution for Delta gamma followed a Hazen plot, which is an empirical plotting equation, indicating that the distribution of Delta gamma was approximated by a nearly double-exponential. The distribution of Delta gamma was well represented by the Gumbel distribution, and the return period for Delta gamma was estimated theoretically. There was a notable regional difference in the return period between the coast of the Japan Sea and the inland or Pacific coast areas: the return period for a given Delta gamma at monitoring sites on the Sea of Japan coast was 1.5 to 2.5 times shorter than that in the inland or Pacific coast areas. This variation with locality suggests that the rate of wet-deposition of (222)Rn progeny is larger at sites on the Sea of Japan coast than inland or on the Pacific coast areas. The expected return period for the maximum Delta gamma at each site was about 10 years. This estimation of the return period of Delta gamma is a novel approach to the study of environmental science in fields such as radioactivity.     

Pore structure and adsorption properties of activated carbon prepared from granular molded waste paper

We have previously manufactured activated carbon using waste paper board, which was prepared by adding 8% phenol resin adhesive to torn waste newspaper and hot-pressing. In this study, the pretreatment process of the raw material was simplified; the waste paper was extruded to form granules. The activated carbon was manufactured by the carbon dioxide activation method using the granules as the raw material. The properties of the activated carbon were evaluated based on the pore structure, the iodine adsorption number, and the adsorption of toluene vapor in a sealed chamber. The activated carbon, which was manufactured at an activation temperature of 1100°C and a treatment time of 60min, exhibited a specific surface area of 1241m²/g and an iodine adsorption number of 1120mg/g. These results were similar to those obtained for two commercially available activated carbons. The extent of toluene vapor adsorption by this activated carbon was similar to that observed for the two commercial activated carbons over a period of 130min.     

Determination of chlorine in air with the pyridine-pyrazolone reagent

An improved method for the determination of chlorine in air is described. The principle of this method is based on the absorption of chlorine in p-toluenesulfonamide aqueous solution, followed by color development with a pyridine-pyrazolone reagent. Both the chlorine absorbed in the solution and the color developed with the reagent were stable. Positive interference by nitrogen dioxide was not observed.     

Reductive dechlorination of non-ortho substituted polychlorinated biphenyls by ultraviolet irradiation in alkaline 2-propanol

The photodechlorination pathways of 3,3′,4,5,5′-pentachlorobiphenyl (3,3′,4,5,5′-PentaCB) and the related lower polychlorinated biphenyl congeners irradiated at 254 nm in alkaline 2-propanol were elucidated. Steric effect is the most important factor for controlling the dechlorination pattern of these substrates. Electronic effect also influences the photoreactivity of chlorine substituents.     

Niche differentiation and fine-scale projections for Argentine ants based on remotely sensed data.

Modeling ecological niches of species is a promising approach for predicting the geographic potential of invasive species in new environments. Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) rank among the most successful invasive species: native to South America, they have invaded broad areas worldwide. Despite their widespread success, little is known about what makes an area susceptible--or not--to invasion. Here, we use a genetic algorithm approach to ecological niche modeling based on high-resolution remote-sensing data to examine the roles of niche similarity and difference in predicting invasions by this species. Our comparisons support a picture of general conservatism of the species' ecological characteristics, in spite of distinct geographic and community contexts.     

Polychlorinated biphenyl (118) activates osteoclasts and induces bone resorption in goldfish

To analyze the effect of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 118 on fish bone metabolism, we examined osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities, as well as plasma calcium levels, in the scales of PCB (118)-injected goldfish. In addition, effect of PCB (118) on osteoclasts and osteoblasts was investigated in vitro. Immature goldfish, in which the endogenous effects of sex steroids are negligible, were used. PCB (118) was solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide at a concentration of 10 ppm. At 1 and 2 days after PCB (118) injection (100 ng/g body weight), both osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities, and plasma calcium levels were measured. In an in vitro study, then, both osteoclastic and osteoblastic activities as well as each marker mRNA expression were examined. At 2 days, scale osteoclastic activity in PCB (118)-injected goldfish increased significantly, while osteoblastic activity did not change significantly. Corresponding to osteoclastic activity, plasma calcium levels increased significantly at 2 days after PCB (118) administration. Osteoclastic activation also occurred in the marker enzyme activities and mRNA expressions in vitro. Thus, we conclude that PCB (118) disrupts bone metabolism in goldfish both in vivo and in vitro experiments.     

Investigation into the relationship between major and minor element contents and particle size and leachability of boron in fly ash from coal fuel thermal power plants

A basic investigation of boron in discharged fly ash by coal fuel thermal power plants in several worldwide locations was carried out. Eight kinds of fly ash sample were prepared from eight coal fuel thermal power plants. Two of the fly ash samples were used to examine the relationship between the concentration of boron in fly ash and the particle size. When the particle size of fly ash is smaller, there is a possibility that it will be released into the air and spread over a wide area in the environment. However, it has become apparent that fly ash of smaller particle size has a higher concentration of boron and a higher enrichment factor. In other fly ash samples, the boron contents were examined and leaching tests were carried out. There is acidic fly ash as well as alkaline fly ash that contains larger amounts of acidic or basic salts. On alkaline fly ash, when the concentration of boron bound to Fe-Mn oxide is low; it has become apparent that leaching boron is increased in a solution with lower pH of approximately 4 which is nearly the pH of acid rain.     

Long Range Transport of Asian Dust from Dust Storms and its Impact on Japan

We simulated the long range transport of dust emitted from dust storms that occurred in China by using a global three-dimensional chemical transport model. A modified dust emission flux scheme and a nonlocal diffusion scheme for determining the atmospheric eddy diffusivity in the atmospheric boundary layer were implemented to improve the chemical transport model. We examined the dust transport by comparing the model results with TOMS satellite images. The model calculated monthly total deposition of dust masses were used for comparison with the measurements collected at sampling stations in Japan, and good agreement was found. The model generally reproduced the temporal and spatial variations of dust reasonably well.     

道路交通事故信息文本预处理技术研究与实践

文本预处理是文本挖掘的关键一步,建立与信息相匹配的标准语义集合能缩短信息处理的时间,提高信息的提取率和识别精度。根据国家交通事故信息采集规范要求,从国家公共安全行业标准中抽取相关交通事故基本信息的标准词汇及代码,构建了一套含有12个属性项目、185个标准词汇的交通事故信息文本预处理用标准化语义集合,并将其应用于国家安全生产监督管理总局的事故查询系统,对系统中2004—2014年期间所收集的8 156件重大道路交通事故信息中的文本数据进行分析。结果表明:利用这套语义集合能更多地提取交通事故信息,可为准确捕捉交通事故特征和研究交通事故发生机理提供重要依据,也为开发交通事故自动信息识别系统创造了重要的条件。     

Area-specific temporal changes of species composition and species-specific range shifts in rocky-shore mollusks associated with warming Kuroshio Current

Increases of low-latitude species in various sea areas and poleward shifts of ranges of many species have been reported and linked to warming environments. To examine the generality of these trends for mollusks, we conducted 7 quadrat surveys during 1978–2006 on Pacific rocky shores in Japan (26.6–45.0°N). Results showed that the dominance of southern species increased on 11 of the 15 shores in a southern, warming sea area but on only 1 of the 6 shores in a northern area with no warming trend. The latitudes of species ranges increased on average but showed large interspecific variations which showed a weak, positive correlation with interspecific taxonomic distance. The differences of these results from the previously reported trends are discussed in relation to the unique current patterns in our study area and the phylogenetic constraints of species-specific responses to a warming environment.