Chromite occurs together with olivine as phenocrysts in basalts of the Kanakasu greenstone body. Chromite forms inclusions within olivine phenocrysts; it also constitutes discrete phenocrystic grains scattered in the groundmass. The Cr and Ni contents of chromite-bearing olivine basalts are unusually high relative to the MgO content. This is probably due to the presence of phenocrystic chromite and olivine. The mineralogy suggests that the groundmass of the basalts is hawaiitic in composition. Chromite, generally, is unlikely to crystallize from differentiated magma such as hawaiite melt. The chromite and associated olivine phenocrysts are probably xenocrysts. Discrete chromite commonly shows compositional zoning that resulted from reaction with host magma; some chromite evidently changed in composition. Chromite embedded in olivine was shielded from reaction with host magma, and has preserved the original chemical composition. The composition of embedded chromite ranges: Mg/(Mg+Fe2+) 0.37–0.58, Cr/(Cr+Al) 0.47–0.64, Fe3+ 0.16–0.47 p.f.u., and Ti 0.034–0.13 p.f.u. The relatively high Ti and Al contents suggest that chromite crystallized from an alkalic basalt magma. The Cr/(Cr+Al) ratio is relatively high when compared to those of chromite in mid-oceanic ridge and island-arc alkalic basalts; the Kanakasu embedded chromite is chemically identical to chromite from Hawaiian alkalic basalts. The Kanakasu chromite was probably formed in an intraplate oceanic island.

Dengue fever (DF) and leptospirosis are serious public problems in tropical regions, especially in Manila, the Philippines. In attempting to understand the causes of DF and leptospirosis seasonality, meteorological factors have been suspected, but quantitative correlation between seasonality and meteorological factors has not been fully investigated. In this study, we investigated correlation of temporal patterns of reported numbers of laboratory-confirmed cases of both DF and leptospirosis with meteorological conditions (temperature, relative humidity, rainfall) in Manila. We used time-series analysis combined with spectral analysis and the least squares method. A 1-year cycle explained underlying variations of DF, leptospirosis and meteorological data. There was a peak of the 1-year cycle in temperature during May, followed by maxima in rainfall, relative humidity and number of laboratory-confirmed DF and leptospirosis cases. This result suggests that DF and leptospirosis epidemics are correlated not only with rainfall but also relative humidity and temperature in the Philippines. Quantifying the correlation of DF and leptospirosis infections with meteorological conditions may prove useful in predicting DF and leptospirosis epidemics, and health services should plan accordingly.

A super-Chandrasekhar (SC) supernova (SN) has an extremely high luminosity and a slow decline rate of the light curve in the early-phase. We present late-phase observations of the SC SN 2009dc. We find that the optical luminosity a year after maximum is much fainter than that expected from its early luminosity. We attempt to fit the analytic light curve model to the observations using Arnett's rule. The model successfully explains the light curves until 120 days. This suggests that the extremely high luminosity originates from the 56Ni decay. We suggest that the late-phase decline would be caused by dust formation. The existence of strong carbon features in early-phase spectra would support this scenario. We also find a blend of [Ca ii] and [Ni ii] in its late-phase spectrum. This indicates that the calcium is distributed in the inner layer along with nickel and iron. We conclude that the mixing may occur in the inner parts of the ejecta.

We successfully obtained the first optical spectra of the faint light echoes around Cassiopeia A and Tycho Brahe's supernova remnants (SNRs) with FOCAS and the Subaru Telescope. We conclude that Cas A and Tycho's SN 1572 belong to the Type IIb and normal Type Ia supernovae, respectively. Light echo spectra are important in order to obtain further insight into the supernova explosion mechanism of Tycho's SN 1572: how the Type Ia explosion actually proceeds, and whether accretion occurs from a companion or by the merging of two white dwarfs. The proximity of the SN 1572 remnant has allowed detailed studies, such as the possible identification of the binary companion, and provides a unique opportunity to test theories of the explosion mechanism and the nature of the progenitor. Future light-echo spectra, obtained in different spatial directions of SN 1572, will enable to construct a three-dimensional spectroscopic view of the explosion.

The gene for the 32 kDa surface protein (p32) of Theileria sergenti was cloned into λgt11 and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The gene encodes a protein of 283 amino acids as deduced from its nucleotide sequence with a 22 residue N-terminal signal peptide. Using this cDNA as a probe we have isolated another two clones from a cDNA library with a CDM8 vector system derived from the same parasite stock. Comparison with three cDNA clones revealed differential polyadenylation and differences in sequences of non-coding regions. Within the coding regions, there were nucleotide transitions which affected the Pst I-restriction site, and one of the transitions was also accompanied by an amino acid substitution (Ala to Gly). Southern blot analysis showed hybridization pattern changes among the parasites isolated from individual calves at different times after infection. From these results, we conclude that at least 3 genetically different parasite populations may coexist, and that transition to predominant parasite populations might occur during persistent infections in a host, possibly to evade the host immune responses.

Directional information should play a significant role for a firm detection of the galactic dark matter.We developed a prototype three-dimensional gaseous tracking device for a direction-sensitive dark matter direct detection.We investigated the performance of the prototype detector and demonstrated a direction-sensitive dark matter search experiment in a surface laboratory. We set the first limit on the spin-dependent WIMP (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles)-proton cross section by a direction-sensitive method.

Benthic microalgal communities usually make a major contribution to the primary production of estuaries and shallow seas. Pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) fluorometry was used to investigate the contribution of benthic microalgae to the primary production of the Okhotsk Sea coast and Saroma Ko Lagoon in northern Hokkaido. In general the benthic communities had a relatively high biomass but low photosynthetic activity. This led to estimates of 29·2% and 64·5% for the benthic contributions for the 9 m and 3 m depth sites at Mombetsu and 13·1% for Saroma Ko. Sea ice algae provided the greatest contribution at Saroma Ko.

A new efficient injection method from a laser ion source to a Radio Frequency Quadropole (RFQ) was proposed and is being tested in RIKEN, Japan. A laser plasma is induced just before the entrance of the RFQ and is injected directly into the RFQ channel. Using an existing RFQ, first verification tests have been completed successfully. Finally, the preliminary specifications for the first RFQ dedicated to the new injection scheme are presented.

Variability of the light curves of the short-period eclipsing binary system GR Tau (, almost-contact binary) is studied. It is found that GR Tau experienced both the state which is characterized by asymmetric light curves and the state characterized by symmetrical light curves.

Iodine release from silver iodide (AgI) to water was evaluated under reducing conditions in the presence of iron-bearing minerals, goethite (FeOOH), magnetite (Fe3O4) and Wüstite (FeO). The release tests were performed in a glove box purged with gas mixture (Ar+5%H2), and the concentrations of dissolved iodine, silver and iron were measured. The apparent equilibrium concentration of dissolved iodine was 4.0 ×10−8, 4.3×10−8 mol/l for the tests with FeOOH and Fe3O4, respectively. The values were almost the same as in the test without minerals. For the test with FeO, the concentration of dissolved iodine was 5.4×10−3 mol/l, which is five orders of magnitude higher than for the other tests. Solid phase analyses by using XRD and SEM/EDS indicated that metallic silver precipitated on the surface of the original AgI for the test with FeO and on the surface of Fe3O4 for the test with Fe3O4, but not for that with FeOOH. These results showed that only FeO could reduce AgI effectively to increase iodine release. The amount of dissolved Fe(II) was a key factor affecting AgI reduction instead of redox potential of solution. Kinetic processes may also play an important role in AgI reduction and associated iodine release under reducing condition.

Sound pressure fields generated by coaxial collisions of two vortex rings with equal/unequal strengths are simulated numerically. The axisymmetric, unsteady, compressible Navier–Stokes equations are solved by a finite difference method, not only for a near field but also for a far field. The sixth-order-accurate compact Padé scheme is used for spatial derivatives, together with the fourth-order-accurate Runge–Kutta scheme for time integration. The results show that the generation of sound is closely related to the change of direction of the vortex ring motion induced by the mutual interaction of the two vortex rings. For the case of equal strength (head-on collision), the change of direction is associated with stretching of the vortex rings. Generated sound waves consist of compression parts and rarefaction parts, and have a quadrupolar nature. For the case of unequal strengths, the two vortex rings pass through each other; the weaker vortex ring moves outside the stronger vortex ring which shows a loop motion. The number of generated waves depends on the relative strength of the two vortex rings. The sound pressure includes dipolar and octupolar components, in addition to monopolar and quadrupolar components which are observed for the case of a head-on collision.

The genetic variation of Armillaria mellea sensu stricto was studied within and among non-heterothallic populations from Japan and Africa, and heterothallic populations from Europe and North America, using somatic incompatibility tests and RAPD analysis. Non-heterothallic isolates from Japan and Africa were divided into four somatic compatibility (SI) groups (A, B, C and D). SI group A contained half of all Japanese isolates and all African isolates. SI groups B and C each contained four Japanese isolates and D contained one isolate. All European and North American isolates were clearly separated from each other by somatic incompatibility tests. From the RAPD analysis, three distinct groups were separated (non-heterothallic, European and North American groups). The non-heterothallic group was divided into three subgroups (Ia, Ib and Ic). Subgroup Ia and Ib corresponded to SI groups A and B, however, Ic contained SI groups C and D. Subgroup Ia, in which 12 of 14 isolates had the same haplotype, showed a little variation. Non-heterothallic populations were less variable than heterothallic populations. The distribution of the isolates belonging to each SI group overlapped within Japan.

Infrared Imaging Surveyor (IRIS, officially Astro-F) is a satellite which will be launched in the winter of 2003. The main purpose of the IRIS mission is an all sky survey in the mid- and far-IR with a flux limit much deeper than that of IRAS. In order to examine the performance of the survey and to find a suitable set of bandpasses for tracing galaxy evolution and picking up protogalaxy candidates as effective as possible using IRIS, we estimated the FIR galaxy counts based on a simple model with various sets of cosmological parameters and evolution types.

The interface state densities near the midgap were measured with the progress of oxidation of atomically flat Si(100) surface. It was found that the interface state distribution in Si bandgap changes periodically with the progress of oxidation. Namely, the interface-state density near the midgap of Si exhibits drastic decrease at oxide film thickness where the surface roughness of oxide film takes its minimum value, while that does not exhibit decrease at the oxide film thickness where the surface roughness takes its maximum value. In order to minimize interface state densities the oxide film thickness should be precisely controlled to within an accuracy of 0.02 nm.

The atomic-scale surface roughness of ultrathin thermal oxides formed on Si(100) were studied as a function of oxide film thickness up to the thickness of 2.0 nm. The height deviation on oxide surface is limited within single atomic-step height of 0.135 nm on Si(100) surface below the oxide film thickness of about 1 nm, but above this thickness the height deviation increases with the increase in thickness at 700°C. This increase in height deviation with thickness must be produced by the relaxation of oxidation–induced stress in bulk SiO2. Furthermore, the oscillation in surface roughness with constant amplitude and its oscillating period in oxide film thickness of 0.19 nm were found.