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Domestic export cut lily flowers are expensive in Japan when they are in bud state that has not yet bloomed and when no leaf yellowing has occurred. Predicting the blooming day of domestic cut lily flowers is essential to increase their commodity value. Thermal imaging, spectroscopic technologies, and hyperspectral cameras have recently been used for quality prediction. This study uses a hyperspectral camera, reflectance of wavelength, and a support vector machine (SVM) to evaluate the predictability of blooming days of cut lily flowers. While examining spectra at wavelengths of 750–900 nm associated with pollination, the resultant reflectance was over 75% during six to four days before blooming and 30% on a blooming day, indicating a decline in their reflectance toward blooming. Furthermore, SVM classification models based on kernel function revealed that the quadratic SVM had the highest accuracy at 84.4%, while the coarse Gaussian SVM had the lowest accuracy at 34.4%. The most crucial wavelength for the quadratic SVM was 842.3 nm, which was associated with water. The quadratic SVM's accuracy, verified using the area under the curve (ACU), was above 0.8, showing suitability for spectral classification based on blooming day prediction. Thus, this study shows that hyperspectral imaging can classify spectra based on the blooming day, indicating its potential to predict the blooming day, vase life, and quality of cut lily flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present computational approach using the theory of diffuse field concept for earthquake (DFCe) is introduced to retrieve the subsurface velocity structures at the whole K-NET and KiK-net stations and to estimate the associated uncertainties. Remarkable agreement could be achieved between the identified velocities retrieved from DFCe and those obtained from in-situ PS loggings. The effective bedrock depth (D e f f ) is assumed to correlate with the fundamental peak frequency (f 0) based on a proposed quarter wavelength approach. The D e f f must be larger than its corresponding wavelength (λ) and have the minimum difference (D e f f − λ). The newly established frequency-depth regression needs to be defined as a function of the average S -wave velocity overlying the D e f f . The f 0 has correlation trends with the depths to the layers, where S -wave velocities ≥ 800 m/s and ≥ 3000 m/s. The outliers in these correlation trends exist because of unsatisfying the condition of the D e f f . • Introducing a computational approach to retrieve the subsurface velocity structures and to characterize the bedrock beneath the Japanese islands. • Adapting quarter wavelength approximation to assign the effective bedrock depth can be applied at any given site. • Establishing regressions between peak frequencies derived from theoretical spectral ratios versus the effective bedrock depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the major specifications and characteristics of the Ku-band high-speed scanning Doppler radar for volcano observation (KuRAD) introduced to Kagoshima University in March 2017 as well as the results of a test observation at Sakurajima. KuRAD is a Doppler radar for research with a wavelength of approximately 2 cm and uses a 45 cm diameter Luneberg lens antenna as a transmitting and receiving antenna to observe the development of a volcanic eruption column immediately following eruption at a maximum rotation speed of 40 rpm. The maximum transmitter power is 9.6 W and the maximum observational range is 20 km. Observed data includes radar reflectivity factor, Doppler velocity, and Doppler spectrum width. Another feature of KuRAD is an obtained radio station license for observation of a total of seven active volcanos in Kyushu. To assess the basic performance of KuRAD, we carried out test observations of volcanic eruptions at Sakurajima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan and collected a total of 87 eruptions (20 of which are explosive eruptions and 7 of which had 3,000 m or higher eruptive smoke from vents). From the eruption data of Showa vent on May 2, 2017, it was confirmed that KuRAD could monitor the three-dimensional internal structure of a volcanic eruption column immediately following eruption. Eruption data from Minamidake of Sakurajima on March 5, 2018, showed that KuRAD successfully observed the eruptive smoke reaching a height of 4,000 m, although the eruptive smoke was covered with clouds and could not be detected by optical instruments of the Japan Meteorological Agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seismic and tsunami waves were the most destructive phenomena during the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. Here we ask whether the same source model can be used to obtain equally good simulations of the observed strong ground motions and the tsunami waves. If so, we could use the same source modeling technique for predictions of both tsunami waves and strong ground motions. Long-period (20-200 s) strong ground motion data were inverted to determine the rupture process of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. The inverted slip distribution shows that large-slip area was extended around 150 km to north and 120 km to south from hypocenter and stretched between hypocenter and the trench. We estimated two slip models: without and with additional constraints. The first relatively rough slip model reproduced short-period tsunami wave (4-5 min). Due to better constraint by data of other kind and being relatively smooth the second model reproduces long-period tsunami wave (15-25 min), as well as keeps good fit of the short-period tsunami, although short-period tsunami becomes underestimated. We used a fully nonlinear Boussinesq water wave model to model tsunami propagation, and used the results to tune the slip model. Finally, we developed a tuned slip model that combines the features of both the first and the second slip models and reproduced both the short- and long-period tsunami waves, while maintaining good fit of the seismic waveforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Five species were highly attracted to 385 and 405 nm wavelengths. • Aphidius colemani responded differently depending on mating status. • LED lighting strategy can be used to attract or manipulate many natural enemies. Recently, the positive phototaxis exhibited by natural enemies such as Nesidiocoris tenuis (Hemiptera: Miridae) and Orius sauteri (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) has been explored to enhance pest control efficiency in agriculture, mainly in Korea and Japan. Here, we evaluated the responses of seven natural enemies: Aphidius colemani , Asobara japonica (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), Harmonia axyridis , Illeis koebelei (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Nabis stenoferus (Hemiptera: Nabidae), and O. minutus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae), to different wavelengths of LED light (i.e., 385, 405, 450, and 660 nm) to clarify the potential of phototaxis for behavioral manipulation of natural enemies. Also, we assessed how mating status and gender affected the responses of A. colemani and O. minutus using a video tracking system, EthoVision ® XT. Overall, wavelengths of 385 and 405 nm were highly attractive to natural enemies, except for C. carnea and N. stenoferus. Unmated females of A. colemani moved greater distances than mated ones, the latter remaining significantly longer in the zone illuminated with UV light compared to the zone illuminated with white light. Adult O. minutus of both sexes remained longer under UV light than under white light. Therefore, the use of UV or near-UV lighting should serve to increase the retention time of natural enemies near light sources and might be useful to retain these and other natural enemies in specific agricultural contexts for better control of pests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses optical access solutions developed by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Access Network Service Systems Laboratories for fiber-to-the-home broadband services. It is noted that fixed and mobile traffic on passive optical network architectures in Japan are expected to continue rising as anticipated in the company's Hikari Collaboration Model. Long-Term Evolution standards for mobile transmission speed is said to require wavelength division multiplexing systems.

Highlights: [•] We report on the development of a nondestructive detection algorithm. [•] The algorithm can be used to detect internal defects in Japanese radishes. [•] Using the first derivative, selected Vis/NIR wavelengths were calculated. [•] A neural network using the selected wavelengths achieved 92.4% accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept, design and performance of Japan's compact free-electron laser (FEL) facilities, the SPring-8 Compact SASE Source test accelerator (SCSS) and SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA), and their applications in mainly atomic, molecular and optical science are reviewed. At SCSS, intense, ultrafast FEL pulses at extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths have been utilized for investigating various multi-photon processes in atoms, molecules and clusters by means of ion and electron spectroscopy. The quantum optical effect superfluorescence has been observed with EUV excitation. A pump-probe technique combining FEL pulses with near infrared laser pulses has been realized to study the ultrafast dynamics of atoms, molecules and clusters in the sub-picosecond regime. At SACLA, deep inner-shell multi-photon ionization by intense x-ray FEL pulses has been investigated. The development of seeded FEL sources for producing transversely and temporally coherent light, as well as the expected impact on advanced science are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The absolute brightness of the zenith sky was measured using a simple calibrated spectrometer during the annular solar eclipse event on May 21, 2012 in Fujioka City, Japan (36.2924°N, 139.0823°E). The sensitivity of the spectrometer was calibrated as a function of wavelength between 400 and 700 nm with an integral sphere. The brightness of the sky decreased to 6 % of its usual condition at the maximum magnitude of the annular eclipse of 0.95 for all wavelengths. The curve describing the variation of sky brightness accords well with the total luminosity of the solar disk estimated by a simple model that accounts for the limb darkening effect. This study provides zenith sky radiance as a function of wavelength and solar elevation angle, which is useful for the investigation of new optical instruments for atmospheric studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesospheric data were analyzed by a composite method combining phase and group velocity tracing technique and the spectra method of Stokes parameter analysis to obtain the propagation parameters of atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) in the height ranges between 63.6 and 99.3 km, observed using the MU radar at Shigaraki in Japan in the months of November and July in the years 1986, 1988 and 1989. The data of waves with downward phase velocity and the data of waves with upward phase velocity were independently treated. First, the vertical phase velocity and vertical group velocity as well as the characteristic wave period for each wave packet were obtained by phase and group velocity tracing technique. Then its horizontal wavelength, intrinsic wave period and horizontal group velocity were obtained by the dispersion relation. The intrinsic frequency and azimuth of wave vector of each wave packet were checked by Stokes parameters analysis. The results showed that the waves with intrinsic periods in the range 30 min-4.5 h had horizontal wavelength ranging from 25 to 240 km, vertical wavelength from 2.5 to 12 km, and horizontal group velocities from 15 to 60ms-1. Both upward moving wave packets and downward moving wave packets had horizontal group velocities mostly directed in the sector between directions NNE (north-north-east) and SEE in the month of November, and mostly in the sector between directions NW and SWS in the month of July. Comparing with mean wind directions, the gravity waves appeared to be more likely to propagate along with mean wind than against it. This apparent prevalence for downstream wave packets was found to be caused by a systematic filtering effect existing in the process of phase and group velocity tracing analysis: A significant portion of upstream wave packets might have been Doppler shifted out ofthe vertical range in phase and group velocity tracing analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in stratospheric aerosols caused by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Nabro (13.37° N, 41.70° E) on 12 June 2011 was detected by lidar at Tsukuba (36.05° N, 140.13° E) and Saga (33.24°N, 130.29° E) in Japan. The maximum backscattering ratios at a wavelength of 532 nm were 2.0 at 17.0 km on 10 July 2011 at Tsukuba and 3.6 at 18.2 km on 23 June 2011 at Saga. The maximum integrated backscattering coefficients (IBCs) at 532 nm above the first tropopause height were 4.18 x 10-4 sr-1 on 11 February 2012 at Tsukuba and 4.19 x 10-4 sr-1 on 23 June 2011 at Saga, respectively. A time series of lidar observational results at Tsukuba have also been reported from January 2008 through May 2012. Increases in stratospheric aerosols were observed after the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Kasatochi (52.18° N, 175.51° E) in August 2008 and Mt. Sarychev Peak (48.09° N, 153.20° E) in June 2009. The yearly averaged IBCs at Tsukuba were 2.54 x 10-4 sr-1, 2.48 x 10-4 sr-1, 2.45 x 10-4 sr-1, and 2.20 x 10-4 sr-1 for 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011, respectively. These values were about twice the IBC background level (1.21 x 10-4 sr-1) from 1997 to 2001 at Tsukuba. We briefly discuss the influence of the increased aerosols on climate and the implications for analysis of satellite data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a nonlinear technique for the purpose of estimating the distribution of the final slip and the rupture velocity on the fault plane from the inversion of strong-motion records. In this work, the ground-motion simulation is obtained by evaluating the representation integral in the frequency domain, through a finite-element approach, based on a Delaunay's triangulation of the fault plane. The slip distribution is parameterized by a linear combination of 2D overlapping Gaussian functions. This choice allows us to relate the maximum frequency in the data to the smallest resolvable wavelength on the fault plane, insuring a smooth representation for the slip function. We investigate the capability of such a representation to describe complex slip maps, and we relate the width of the Gaussian function and the overlapping to the minimum wavelength of the slip function. The inverse problem is solved by a two-step procedure aimed at separating the computation of the rupture velocity from the evaluation of the slip distribution. While a global exploration is maintained for the rupture velocity, for each explored value of this quantity, the slip solution is computed as the best solution approaching the observations in the sense of the L2 norm. The nonlinear step is performed through the neighborhood algorithm (NA), while the linear one uses the nonnegative least-squares (NNLS) method. The technique has been applied to retrieve the rupture history of the 2008 Iwate-Miyagi, Japan, earthquake. The slip distribution is characterized by a large slip patch extending from the hypocenter to the southern shallow part of the fault plane, with a maximum amplitude of 6 m. In addition, a relatively smaller asperity is located in the north shallow part of the fault. We found that the rupture lasted about 12 s with an average rupture velocity of about 2.0 km/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the genetic diversification of the mountain ant, Myrmica kotokui, in the Japanese Alps by using molecular phylogenetic analyses. Myrmica kotokui is widely distributed in Japan, and in the central Japanese Alps it is found only between elevations of approximately 1000 to 2000 m. We hypothesized that genetically distinct clades of this ant species might inhabit different mountain ranges in central Japan. To test this hypothesis, we reconstructed a molecular phylogeny using the DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene and the nuclear long-wavelength rhodopsin gene of M. kotokui specimens collected from six mountain ranges in the Japanese Alps. The phylogeny showed four highly differentiated clades. However, the correspondence between the clades and morphological species was a little confusing. Two clades were composed only of M. kotokui specimens, whereas the other two clades were composed of multispecies, suggesting the possibility of multispecies composition of putative M. kotokui. The distribution pattern of these clades did not support our hypothesis of geographical differentiation, because two were distributed across all ranges, and a third was distributed in five of the six ranges. On the other hand, we found a pattern in the altitudinal distribution of the clades: one clade was distributed only at higher elevations, and the others were distributed at lower elevations. Thus, the ant clades do not show geographical segregation by mountain range, but they do show altitudinal differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have a plan to build an imaging beam line, Energy-Resolved Neutron Imaging System (ERNIS), at Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (MLF) at Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). In pulsed neutron imaging, we use characteristic features of the neutron total cross section, depending on the neutron wavelength, to get sample information such as crystallographic structure and nuclide composition. One of the most important items to be determined for a beam line at J-PARC is the choice of moderator among coupled, decoupled, and poisoned moderators. From the wavelength resolution point of view, we decided to use the decoupled moderator, which could cover major experiments performed at a pulsed neutron source. Here, we discuss the structure of the imaging beam line at beam line 22 of the J-PARC neutron source as well as the arrangement of insertion devices and the experimental area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ripples as seen in airglow imagers are small wavy structures with short horizontal wavelengths (<15 km). Ripples are thought to form as the result of local instabilities, which are believed to occur when the amplitude of gravity waves becomes large enough. We have investigated ripple formation based on years of airglow imager observations located at Fort Collins, Colorado (41° N, 105° W) and Misato Observatory, Japan (34° N, 135° E)/Shigaraki MU Observatory (35° N, 136° E). Na temperature-wind lidar observations are employed to detect convective and dynamic instabilities in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region over Fort Collins, Colorado. Seasonal variation of the ripple occurrence in Colorado is compared to that of the lidar-measured instability. The occurrence frequency of ripples varies semiannually, with maxima occurring during solstices and minima during equinoxes in both Colorado and Japan. However, the probability of convective and dynamic instabilities varies annually with a peak in Colorado winter. The seasonal variation of the occurrence frequency of ripples correlates with that of the gravity wave variances in the MLT. Ripple occurrence over Colorado also shows strong local time dependence, but it bears little resemblance to the local time dependence of instability probability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous quantification of nebivolol hydrochloride (NEB-H) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) in tablets by UV spectroscopy, RP-HPLC and HPTLC methods were developed. In UV spectrophotometric determination NEB-H and HCT was quantified by simultaneous equation method and absorbance ratio method. In simultaneous equation method absorbance measurements at 282.5 nm (λmax NEB-H) and 271.5 nm (λmax HCT), in absorbance ratio method absorbance measurements at 282.5 nm and 275 nm (iso absorptive point) in methanol. In RPHPLC method, the drugs were resolved using a mobile phase of 30 mM phosphate buffer (K2HPO4), acetonitrile and triethylamine (50:50:0.1% v/v) with pH 5.5 using orthophosphoric acid on a C18-ODSPhenomenex (5 μm, 250 mm x 4.6 mm) column in isocratic mode, Atorvastatin (ATR) used as a internal standard. The retention time of HCT, NEB-H and ATR was 3.31, 4.30 and 6.93 min respectively. In the HPTLC method, the chromatograms were developed using a mobile phase of ethyl acetate: methanol: ammonia (8.5:1:0.5 v/v) on precoated plate of silica gel 60 F254 and quantified by densitometric absorbance mode at 285 nm. The Rf of HCT and NEB-H were 0.21 and 0.41 respectively. Recovery studies of 98.88-102.41%, percentage relative std deviation of not more than 0.8 and correlation coefficient (linearity range) of 0.9954-0.9999 shows that developed methods were accurate and precise. These methods can be employed for the routine analysis of tablets containing NEB-H and HCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of light quality on resting stage cell germination and vegetative cell growth of meroplanktonic diatoms in a small port in Hakata Bay, Japan and in the laboratory. During the investigation over the year of 2006, the meroplanktonic diatom bloom first occurred in the end of May and then repeated wane and wax until October in the small port. From late April to middle May, light penetrating the water column was often strong and attenuations of all spectral lights were low. During this period, Skeletonema costatum, Thalassiosira minima, and Chaetoceros sp. appeared frequently, followed by the blooms of S. costatum and Chaetoceros sp. in late May. Thereafter, S. costatum and Chaetoceros sp. bloomed in late June but not in middle June, when pigmented flagellates bloom appeared. The attenuation of short-wavelength light such as violet and blue lights was markedly high during these diatom and flagellate blooms; all blooms disappeared within several days. Vegetative cell strains of the three diatoms under light emitting diodes (LEDs) with six different spectra (violet, blue, green, orange, red, and near-infrared) grew at a higher rate under short-wavelength light, violet and blue. On the other hand, when suspensions of bottom sediments from Hakata Bay were cultured under the same LEDs and in the dark, vegetative cells of S. costatum appeared under all LEDs except for orange and near-infrared, vegetative cells of T. minima appeared under all LEDs but not in the dark, and vegetative cells of Chaetoceros sp. appeared under violet and blue LEDs. However, vegetative cell densities of the three diatoms increased much more under violet light than under other LEDs within a short period (6 days). Our study indicates that underwater penetration by short-wavelength light, such as violet and blue, may be an important factor in the initiation and development of meroplanktonic diatom blooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using surface wave parameters and a high-resolution surface wind field derived from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image mode data, we have investigated the spatial modification of SAR spectra. We found a surface wind front, formed by sheltering effect of the Kii Mountains, separating high and low wind-speed regions in a sea area of an European Remote-Sensing Satellite (ERS) SAR image off the Kii Peninsula. A swell system propagating westward dominates in the whole sea area covered by the SAR image. The wavelength retrieved from the SAR spectra in the sheltered (non-sheltered) region is longer (shorter). Since the distributions of surface wave parameters and surface wind speed are so well correlated, it can be considered that the SAR spectra are modified differently by the sheltered/non-sheltered surface winds. In order to examine the phenomena observed on the SAR image we have estimated the wind-wave SAR spectrum using the SAR surface winds, a wind-wave spectrum model and a SAR wave imaging model. We assume that the SAR spectrum related to the swell is homogeneous in the area imaged by SAR, and that the SAR spectrum of the wind-wave components causes the observed SAR spectra modification. Differences between the observed SAR spectra and the estimated SAR spectra in the sheltered and non-sheltered regions agree well with each other. In the present case, it can be concluded that the observed SAR spectra can be regarded as a linear combination of the wind-wave SAR spectra and the swell SAR spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of specific light wavelengths from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on the growth of the dinoflagellate Heterocapsa circularisquama, which kills bivalves, and the diatom Skeletonema costatum, which is an important food source for bivalves. Growth of H. circularisquama was obviously inhibited at 590 nm and a photon flux density less than 75 μmol quanta/m2/s. However, growth of S. costatum was not suppressed by irradiance from any LEDs tested from near-ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths at 75 μmol quanta/m2/s. The growth rate of H. circularisquama in an experimental treatment group with irradiance provided by both cool-white fluorescent lamps (12:12 h L : D cycle) and a 590-nm LED (continuous irradiance) was 0.43/day. In the control group with irradiance provided only by cool-white fluorescent lamps (12:12 h L : D cycle), the growth rate was 0.63/day, indicating that growth of H. circularisquama was suppressed by 590 nm (less than 75 μmol quanta/m2/s) irradiance from the LED and the continuous irradiance. The use of 590-nm LEDs in bivalve culture at irradiance levels less than 75 μmol quanta/m2/s might encourage the growth of the useful diatom S. costatum without stimulating growth of the harmful dinoflagellate H. circularisquama. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new photon-counting 2D detector and time-of-flight (TOF) data-acquisition (DAQ) electronics were developed as a system for iBIX diffractometer in J-PARC. The detector system is composed of two ceramic ZnS/10B2O3 scintillator sheets, 256×2 wavelength-shifting (WLS) fibers, eight 64 ch multi-anode photomultipliers (PMT), a high-speed 512-channel amplifier and discriminator, and a 512-channel encoder module with FPGA for time and position determination. The scintillator sheets have high detection efficiency, 30% and 45% at 1.8Å for 0.2 and 0.3mm in thickness, respectively. The WLS fibers (0.5-mm square type) are arranged along X and Y directions with gaps of 0.02mm; therefore the size of one pixel is 0.52mm. The PMT have 17% of quantum efficiency for the light from WLS fibers. The detective region (133×133mm2) has more than 66% in the front face of the detector. The amplifier and discriminator module has 300MHz of frequency band, fixed gain (60), and 20–300mV of discriminator level. The encoder module has many coincidence modes including various pattern-matching methods and a centroid-computation method. The pulse-pair resolution is 4–5μs. For the DAQ module, we can use both of histogram and event modes for measurement. The recording rate is 5×105 events/s for the event mode. Maximum number of the time-channel bins is 4096 for the histogram mode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An earthquake early warning (EEW) system is designed to detect an event, determine its parameters (hypocenter, magnitude, and origin time), and issue an alert to sites/areas where necessary actions should be taken before destructive seismic energy arrivals. At present, large-scale EEW systems are operational in several countries around the world. The most extensive nationwide EEW system has been operating in Japan since 2007, and was able to issue alerts broadly when the moment magnitude (Mw) 9 Tohoku-Oki earthquake hit in 2011. The casualties caused by this event were far less than those caused by other deadly earthquakes (Mw > 6.6) in this century. Many other countries attributed the fewer death victims to the advanced large-scale EEW system, and plan to install systems similar to Japan’s model. However, the historical and environmental background in Japan, both in terms of earthquake hazards and safety preparation, differs considerably from other countries. In addition, EEW systems that use data from a large-scale network (i.e., “a big-net” hereafter) still have limitations. There are thus numerous factors that other countries should consider to benefit from installing a Japan-styled EEW. In this article, we review how research and development associated with EEW have been carried out, and how EEW systems presently function. We then show short-wavelength variation of ground motions within the typical station interval of a big-net using data recorded by a dense local seismic network in Japan. However, it is not particularly meaningful to attempt detailed modeling of varieties of ground motion within the station interval for a big-net EEW operation, because the possible combinations of earthquake sources, paths of wave propagation, and recipient sites are infinite. We emphasize that in all circumstances, for recipients to benefit from EEW, seismic safety preparations must be implemented. Necessary preparations at sites do not diminish in importance after incremental improvements in station coverage and/or algorithms in a big-net operation. Further, scientists and engineers involved in EEW projects should strive to publically disseminate how big-net EEW systems work, and also why, to achieve maximum benefit, these systems should always be supplemented by preparations at recipients’ sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the first Ångström-scale lasing demonstration at Spring-8 Ångström Compact Free-Electron Laser (SACLA) on June 7, 2011 in Western Japan. It says that SACLA project attained wavelengths of 1.0 Å and is yielding 0.7 Å X-rays at lower pulse energy levels. It adds that SACLA differs in various ways including short-period undulator system, high-gradient radiofrequency acceleration system, and hard X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) source.

The article offers information on Japan's arrival into the high-energy industrial sector by building a hard x-ray free-electron laser (XFELs). The XFELs beams have higher illumination and shorter pulses than the synchrotron x-rays. The wavelengths are capable of revealing the structure of proteins that have not been detected through other techniques. According to Tsumoru Shintake, head of the accelerator development for XFEL, the XFEL project will have similar targets but will be designed in different ways to reach excellence.

The article focuses on the compact and tuneable laser developed by researchers from Osaka University and Sumita Optical Glass Inc. in Japan. It states that the researchers used three components to make tuneable laser, including broad emission spectrum, dispersing resultant light, and selecting frequency of disperse light. It mentions that the research can be applied to any wavelength.

Background: Gastric cancer is one of the major causes of death in Japan. We have previously reported, using biopsy specimens, the usefulness of the 1064 nm near-infrared multichannel Raman spectroscopy (RAS) system as a novel diagnostic modality for gastric cancer. However, our study might not have reflected in vivo use of RAS due to a lack of tissue other than the mucosal layer in the biopsy specimens. Here, we used RAS ex vivo for optical diagnosis of gastric cancer in surgically resected stomach. Materials and Methods: A total of 213 Raman spectra were obtained from 12 cancer lesions and their corresponding non-neoplastic areas in 10 stomachs following resection for gastric cancer. To develop optical diagnostic systems for gastric cancer, principal component analysis (PCA) of all the Raman spectra was performed. Results: The averaged Raman spectra of the cancer lesions could be distinguished from those of the non-neoplastic regions. Discrimination analysis of cancer from non-neoplastic regions with 10 principal components revealed that sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of cancer diagnosis were 73%, 73%, and 72%, respectively. RAS discriminated between differentiated and undifferentiated cancers, early and advanced cancers, as well as T1a (M) and T1b (SM) cancers with high accuracy (98%, 93%, and 98%, respectively). Conclusions: The 1064 nm near-infrared multichannel RAS system is useful not only for gastric cancer detection, but also for discrimination between differentiated and undifferentiated, as well as early and advanced cancers. RAS could help establish indications for endoscopic treatment by eliminating cancer lesions with an undifferentiated component or submucosal invasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]