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Since 2011, the Global Energy and Water cycle Exchanges (GEWEX) Water Vapor Assessment (G-VAP) has provided performance analyses for state-of-the-art reanalysis and satellite water vapour products to the GEWEX Data and Analysis Panel (GDAP) and the user community in general. A significant component of the work undertaken by G-VAP is to characterise the quality and uncertainty of these water vapour records to (i) ensure full exploitation and (ii) avoid incorrect use or interpretation of results. This study presents results from the second phase of G-VAP, where we have extended and expanded our analysis of total column water vapour (TCWV) from phase 1, in conjunction with updating the G-VAP archive. For version 2 of the archive, we consider 28 freely available and mature satellite and reanalysis data products, remapped to a regular longitude–latitude grid of 2° × 2° and on monthly time steps between January 1979 and December 2019. We first analysed all records for a “common” short period of 5 years (2005–2009), focusing on variability (spatial and seasonal) and deviation from the ensemble mean. We observed that clear-sky daytime-only satellite products were generally drier than the ensemble mean, and seasonal variability/disparity in several regions up to 12 kg m−2 related to original spatial resolution and temporal sampling. For 11 of the 28 data records, further analysis was undertaken between 1988–2014. Within this “long period”, key results show (i) trends between −1.18 ± 0.68 to 3.82 ± 3.94 kg m−2 per decade and −0.39 ± 0.27 to 1.24 ± 0.85 kg m−2 per decade were found over ice-free global oceans and land surfaces, respectively, and (ii) regression coefficients of TCWV against surface temperatures of 6.17 ± 0.24 to 27.02 ± 0.51 % K−1 over oceans (using sea surface temperature) and 3.00 ± 0.17 to 7.77 ± 0.16 % K−1 over land (using surface air temperature). It is important to note that trends estimated within G-VAP are used to identify issues in the data records rather than analyse climate change. Additionally, breakpoints have been identified and characterised for both land and ocean surfaces within this period. Finally, we present a spatial analysis of correlations to six climate indices within the long period, highlighting regional areas of significant positive and negative correlation and the level of agreement among records.

The development of reduced models provide efficient methods that can be used to perform short term experimental data analysis or narrow down the parametric range of more sophisticated numerical approaches. Reduced models are derived by simplifying the physics description with the goal of retaining only the essential ingredients required to reproduce the phenomena under study. This is the role of the gyro-fluid code FAR3d, dedicated to analyze the linear and nonlinear stability of Alfvén Eigenmodes (AE), Energetic Particle Modes (EPM) and magnetic-hydrodynamic modes as pressure gradient driven mode (PGDM) and current driven modes (CDM) in nuclear fusion devices. Such analysis is valuable for improving the plasma heating efficiency and confinement; this can enhance the overall device performance. The present review is dedicated to a description of the most important contributions of the FAR3d code in the field of energetic particles (EP) and AE/EPM stability. FAR3d is used to model and characterize the AE/EPM activity measured in fusion devices as LHD, JET, DIII-D, EAST, TJ-II and Heliotron J. In addition, the computational efficiency of FAR3d facilitates performing massive parametric studies leading to the identification of optimization trends with respect to the AE/EPM stability. This can aid in identifying operational regimes where AE/EPM activity is avoided or minimized. This technique is applied to the analysis of optimized configurations with respect to the thermal plasma parameters, magnetic field configuration, external actuators and the effect of multiple EP populations. In addition, the AE/EPM saturation phase is analyzed, taking into account both steady-state phases and bursting activity observed in LHD and DIII-D devices. The nonlinear calculations provide: the induced EP transport, the generation of zonal structures as well as the energy transfer towards the thermal plasma and between different toroidal/helical families. Finally, FAR3d is used to forecast the AE/EPM stability in operational scenarios of future devices as ITER, CFETR, JT60SA and CFQS as well as possible approaches to optimization with respect to variations in the most important plasma parameters.

Abstract The MEG II experiment, based at the Paul Scherrer Institut in Switzerland, reports the result of a search for the decay $$\upmu ^+ \rightarrow {\textrm{e}}^+ \upgamma $$ μ + → e + γ from data taken in the first physics run in 2021. No excess of events over the expected background is observed, yielding an upper limit on the branching ratio of $${\mathcal {B}} (\upmu ^+ \rightarrow {\textrm{e}}^+ \upgamma ) < 7.5 \times 10^{-13}$$ B ( μ + → e + γ ) < 7.5 × 10 - 13 (90% CL). The combination of this result and the limit obtained by MEG gives $${\mathcal {B}} (\upmu ^+ \rightarrow {\textrm{e}}^+ \upgamma ) < 3.1 \times 10^{-13}$$ B ( μ + → e + γ ) < 3.1 × 10 - 13 (90% CL), which is the most stringent limit to date. A ten-fold larger sample of data is being collected during the years 2022–2023, and data-taking will continue in the coming years.

Abstract Climate services are largely supported by climate reanalyses and by satellite Fundamental (Climate) Data Records (F(C)DRs). This paper demonstrates how the development and the uptake of F(C)DR benefit from radiance simulations, using reanalyses and radiative transfer models. We identify three classes of applications, with examples for each application class. The first application is to validate assumptions during F(C)DR development. Hereto we show the value of applying advanced quality controls to geostationary European (Meteosat) images. We also show the value of a cloud mask to study the spatio‐temporal coherence of the impact of the Mount Pinatubo volcanic eruption between Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and the High‐resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) data. The second application is to assess the coherence between reanalyses and observations. Hereto we show the capability of reanalyses to reconstruct spectra observed by the Spektrometer Interferometer (SI‐1) flown on a Soviet satellite in 1979. We also present a first attempt to estimate the random uncertainties from this instrument. Finally, we investigate how advanced bias correction can help to improve the coherence between reanalysis and Nimbus‐3 Medium‐Resolution Infrared Radiometer (MRIR) in 1969. The third application is to inform F(C)DR users about particular quality aspects. We show how simulations can help to make a better‐informed use of the corresponding F(C)DR, taking as examples the Nimbus‐7 Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR), the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) imager, and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Special Sensor Microwave Water Vapor Profiler (SSM/T‐2).

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) triangular lattice antiferromagnets (2D-TLA) often manifest intriguing physical and technological properties, due to the strong interplay between lattice geometry and electronic properties. The recently synthesized 2-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide LiCrTe $$_2$$ 2 , being a 2D-TLA, enriched the range of materials which can present such properties. In this work, muon spin rotation ( $$\mu ^+$$ μ + SR) and neutron powder diffraction (NPD) have been utilized to reveal the true magnetic nature and ground state of LiCrTe $$_2$$ 2 . From high-resolution NPD the magnetic spin order at base-temperature is not, as previously suggested, helical, but rather collinear antiferromagnetic (AFM) with ferromagnetic (FM) spin coupling within the ab-plane and AFM coupling along the c-axis. The value if the ordered magnetic Cr moment is established as $$\mu _{\textrm{Cr}}= 2.36~\mu _{\textrm{B}}$$ μ Cr = 2.36 μ B . From detailed $$\mu ^+$$ μ + SR measurements we observe an AFM ordering temperature $$T_{\textrm{N}}\approx 125$$ T N ≈ 125 K. This value is remarkably higher than the one previously reported by magnetic bulk measurements. From $$\mu ^+$$ μ + SR we are able to extract the magnetic order parameter, whose critical exponent allows us to categorize LiCrTe $$_2$$ 2 in the 3D Heisenberg AFM universality class. Finally, by combining our magnetic studies with high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD), we find a clear coupling between the nuclear and magnetic spin lattices. This suggests the possibility for a strong magnon–phonon coupling, similar to what has been previously observed in the closely related compound LiCrO $$_2$$ 2 .

ObjectivesTo evaluate whether tumor extracellular volume fraction (fECV) on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) aids in the differentiation between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsIn this retrospective study, 113 patients with pathologically confirmed ICC (n = 39) or HCC (n = 74) who had undergone preoperative contrast-enhanced CT were enrolled. Enhancement values of the tumor (Etumor) and aorta (Eaorta) were obtained in the precontrast and equilibrium phase CT images. fECV was calculated using the following equation: fECV [%] = Etumor/Eaorta × (100 – hematocrit [%]). fECV values were compared between the ICC and HCC groups using Welch’s t-test. The diagnostic performance of fECV for differentiating ICC and HCC was assessed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. fECV and the CT imaging features of tumors were evaluated by two radiologists. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predicting a diagnosis of ICC.ResultsMean fECV was significantly higher in ICCs (43.8% ± 13.2%) than that in HCCs (31.6% ± 9.0%, p < 0.001). The area under the curve for differentiating ICC from HCC was 0.763 when the cutoff value of fECV was 41.5%. The multivariate analysis identified fECV (unit OR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01–1.21; p < 0.05), peripheral rim enhancement during the arterial phase (OR: 17.0; 95% CI: 1.29–225; p < 0.05), and absence of washout pattern (OR: 235; 95% CI: 14.03–3933; p < 0.001) as independent CT features for differentiating between the two tumor types.ConclusionsA high value of fECV, peripheral rim enhancement during the arterial phase, and absence of washout pattern were independent factors in the differentiation of ICC from HCC.

Superconducting (SC) tokamak JT-60SA plays an essential role in fusion research and development by supporting and complementing the ITER project, providing directions to the DEMO design activity and fostering next generation scientists and engineers. Since the short circuit incident at the terminal joints of equilibrium field coil #1 during the integrated commissioning (IC) in March 2021, both EU and JA implementing agencies (IAs) have examined how to ensure safe operation of JT-60SA by mitigating the risk of possible discharge occurrence inside the cryostat. Based on the experience of the global Paschen tests, the IAs have established a strategy of risk mitigation measures, which is a combination of (i) reinforcement of insulation, (ii) avoiding unnecessary voltage application to the coil systems and (iii) immediate de-energization of the coils when deteriorated vacuum conditions are detected. Thanks to the considerable efforts of the Integrated Project Team members, the IC restarted in May 2023. After confirmation of the SC state of the coil systems (TF, EF and CS), the coil energization test and the plasma operation phase 1 (OP-1) started. The first plasma was successfully achieved on 23 October 2023 with a limited value of voltage and current applied to the coils. The plasma configuration control was also confirmed with low plasma current and low auxiliary heating power conditions. Based on the IO–F4E–QST collaboration, activities of JT-60SA have been shared with the IO and provided an important lesson for ITER assembly and commissioning, and will provide an outstanding contribution to fusion research at large. After OP-1, maintenance & enhancement phase 1 (M/E-1) starts from January 2024, in which in-vessel components are installed, and heating and diagnostic systems are extensively upgraded to allow a high power heating experiment planned in OP-2. In order to make the best use of JT-60SA, a newly organized JT-60SA experiment team will refine the research plan for the future high heating power operation phase.

Recently, experiments on basic plasma physics issues for solving future problems in fusion energy have been performed on a Large Helical Device. There are several problems to be solved in future devices for fusion energy. Emerging issues in burning plasma are: alpha-channeling (ion heating by alpha particles), turbulence and transport in electron dominant heating helium ash exhaust, reduction of the divertor heat load. To solve these problems, understanding the basic plasma physics of (1) wave–particle interaction through (inverse) Landau damping, (2) characteristics of electron-scale (high- k ) turbulence, (3) ion mixing and the isotope effect, and (4) turbulence spreading and detachment, is necessary. This overview discusses the experimental studies on these issues and turbulent transport in multi-ion plasma and other issues in the appendix.

The avalanche type of transport can induce a long-radial transport and thus can contribute to the global profile formation. In this study, we observed the heat perturbations exhibiting avalanche-like transport in the stellarator/heliotron device, Heliotron J, and the tokamak device, JT-60U. We found that the electron heat propagation in Heliotron J is mainly generated from the heating source region. The relatively high value of the Hurst exponent, which is a signature of avalanches, depends on the total heating power. On the other hand, the electron and ion heat avalanches measured in JT-60U tend to spread from the local peak of the temperature gradient and are not influenced by the heating source profiles. The contrasting features of avalanches in stellarator/heliotrons and tokamaks potentially imply the difference in the temperature profile formation, such as the presence of stiffness.

Remote sensing study of asteroids will soon enter a new era with an increasing amount of data available thanks to the JWST, especially in the mid-infrared (MIR) range that allows identification of mineral species. It will then be possible to establish a taxonomy, as is currently available in the visible–near-infrared range, based on MIR spectral parameters. It had been previously shown that the MIR range is very sensitive to space weathering (SpWe) effects. Thus, it is crucial to determine which spectral changes are involved to disentangle initial composition from surface aging and provide tools to interpret future remote sensing data of asteroids. We present here MIR measurements of a wide variety of ion-irradiated carbonaceous chondrites as a simulation of the solar wind SpWe component. We evaluate several parameters (the Christiansen feature and Reststrahlen band positions, the width of the main Si–O band) and test different measurement conditions (ion energy and geometry of observation). We highlight a dependency of the spectral changes with the initial composition, as hydrated samples are more affected than anhydrous ones. We confirm the role of the geometry in the detection of SpWe effects as already shown in the near-infrared, with a competition effect between the depth probed by photons and the implantation depth of ions (function of the energy used). We will discuss the results in the framework of future observations and Ryugu’s and Bennu’s samples studied in the laboratory.

Abstract Understanding pellet ablation physics is crucial to realizing efficient fueling into a high temperature plasma for the steady state operation of ITER and future fusion reactors. Here we report the first observation of the formation of fluctuation structures in the pellet plasmoid during the pellet ablation process by a fast camera in a medium-sized fusion device, Heliotron J. The fluctuation has a normalized fluctuation level of ~ 15% and propagates around the moving pellet across the magnetic field. By comparing the fluctuation structures with the shape of magnetic field lines calculated with the field line tracing code, we successfully reconstruct the spatio-temporal structure of the fluctuations during the pellet ablation process. The fluctuations are located at the locations displaced toroidally from the pellet and propagate in the cross-field direction around the pellet axis along the field line, indicating a three-dimensional behavior and structure of fluctuations. The fluctuation would be driven by a strong inhomogeneity formed around the pellet and invoke the relaxation of the gradient through a cross-field transport induced by the fluctuations, which could affect the pellet ablation and pellet fueling processes. Such fluctuations can be ubiquitously present at the inhomogeneity formed around a pellet in the pellet ablation process in fusion devices.

Application of magnetic refrigeration (MR) for hydrogen liquefaction is limited by lack of MR materials with a large magnetocaloric effect (MCE). Here the authors show a series of MR materials with a large and reversible MCE operating at a full temperature range required for hydrogen liquefaction.

Abstract We present the first direct search for lepton flavour violating muon decay mediated by a new light particle X, $$\upmu ^+ \rightarrow \mathrm {e}^+\mathrm {X}, \mathrm {X} \rightarrow \upgamma \upgamma \ $$ μ + → e + X , X → γ γ . This search uses a dataset resulting from $$7.5\times 10^{14}$$ 7.5 × 10 14 stopped muons collected by the MEG experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institut in the period 2009–2013. No significant excess is found in the mass region 20–45 MeV/c $$^2$$ 2 for lifetimes below 40 ps, and we set the most stringent branching ratio upper limits in the mass region of 20–40 MeV/c $$^2$$ 2 , down to $${\mathcal {O}}(10^{-11})$$ O ( 10 - 11 ) at 90% confidence level.

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with tumour thrombus (TT) in the inferior vena cava (IVC) or right atrium (RA) is a rare advanced disease state with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to examine survival after surgical resection. Methods Patients with HCC and TT of either the IVC or RA, who underwent liver resection between February 1997 and July 2017, were included. Their short‐ and long‐term outcomes and surgical details were analysed retrospectively. Results Thirty‐seven patients were included; 16 patients had TT in the IVC below the diaphragm, eight had TT in the IVC above the diaphragm, and 13 had TT entering the RA. Twelve patients had advanced portal vein TT (portal vein invasion (Vp) greater than Vp3 and Vp4), ten had bilobar disease, and 12 had extrahepatic disease. There were no in‐hospital deaths, although two patients died within 90 days. Median survival did not differ between patients who had resection with curative intent (18·7 months) and those with residual tumour in the lung only (20·7 months), but survival was poor for patients with residual tumour in the liver (8·3 months). Conclusion Liver resection with thrombectomy for advanced HCC with TT in the IVC or RA is safe and feasible, leading to moderate survival.

This study investigates the effects of electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) on the linear and nonlinear dynamics of energetic-particle (EP)-driven magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) instability (mode) in Heliotron J (HJ), using MEGA, a nonlinear hybrid EP-MHD simulation code. The effects of ECCD are included through the modification of the equilibrium magnetic field. Five MHD equilibria with plasma currents ( $I_\textrm p$ ) of −2.00, −1.00, 0.00, 0.50, and 1.00 kA are considered, where negative and positive $I_\textrm p$ represent counter and co-ECCD, respectively. To account for the EP finite charge-exchange loss observed in HJ, a bump-on-tail velocity distribution is assumed for EP. The study finds that the stabilization trends in terms of the linear growth rate ( $\gamma \omega_A^{-1}$ ) are qualitatively similar to the FAR3D linear simulation and experimental results. In addition to the enhancements of the local magnetic shear and continuum damping by ECCD as proposed in previous studies, the study suggests that changes in the linear EP and shear Alfvén wave resonance are another important factor, especially for the $n/m = 1/2$ mode. The study shows that in the currentless equilibrium, the high-velocity toroidicity-induced resonance between the $n/m = 1/2$ mode and the co-passing EP ( $L = -1$ ) has the highest EP energy transfer rate, but is located slightly below the NBI injection velocity. The co-ECCD and cntr-ECCD can shift this resonance into higher and lower velocity regions, respectively. This can lead to resonance removal for co-ECCD, while cntr-ECCD can initially increase the number of resonant EPs for a small value of shift. If the shift of the resonance by cntr-ECCD is sufficiently large, the study observes stabilization due to the reduction in the EP population in the low-velocity region. The study also finds that changes in resonance affect nonlinear dynamics such as EP transport and frequency chirping. The convective transport of the co- and counter-passing EPs can be controlled, which can only be achieved for energetic-particle-mode due to the asymmetry in the resonance velocity between co- and cntr-passing EPs. The changes in the frequency chirping from the downward chirping branch to the upward chirping branch can also be explained by the changes in the resonance velocity caused by ECCD.

We have examined for the first time the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity at the (111), (100), and (110) faces of well-defined Pt-skin/Pt3Co single crystal electrodes in H2-saturated 0.1 M HClO4 solution in order to clarify the mechanism for the increased HER activities at Pt-skin/Pt-M (M = Co, Fe) nanoparticles dispersed on a carbon support, which we recently developed as highly active cathode catalysts for proton exchange membrane electrolyte water electrolysis. The HER current densities at −0.02 V vs. RHE for the Pt-skin/Pt3Co single crystal rotating disk electrodes increased in the order (100)

The aim of the present study is to analyze the effect of the electron cyclotron heating (ECH) on the linear stability of Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) and energetic particle modes (EPMs) triggered by energetic ions in Heliotron J plasma. The analysis is performed using the FAR3d code that solves a reduced MHD model to describe the thermal plasma coupled with a gyrofluid model for the energetic particle (EP) species. The simulations reproduce the AE/EPM stability trends observed in the experiments as the electron temperature ( T _e ) increases, modifying the thermal plasma β , EP β and EP slowing-down time. Particularly, the $n/m = 1/2$ EPM and $2/4$ Global AE are stabilized in the low-bumpiness (LB) configuration due to an enhancement of the continuum, finite Larmor radius and e-i Landau damping effects as the thermal β increases. On the other hand, a larger ECH injection power cannot stabilize the AE/EPM in medium-bumpiness and high-bumpiness (HB) configurations because the damping effects are weaker compared to the LB case, unable to balance the further destabilization induced by an enhanced EP resonance as the EP slowing-down time and EP β increases with T _e .

Abstract Background Many survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake that occurred in 2011 were at risk of deteriorating health, especially elderly people living in disaster-stricken areas. The objectives of this prospective study were: a) to clarify the different lifestyle and psychosocial factors associated with frailty by sex among the non-disabled elderly survivors, and b) to describe the differences in characteristics stratified by the degree of disaster-related housing damage. Methods We followed 2261 Japanese survivors aged ≥65 years (45.3% male; mean age, 71.7 years) without disability or frailty who completed a self-administered questionnaire at baseline. All participants completed a baseline questionnaire in 2011 and at least one identical follow-up questionnaire between 2012 and 2015 regarding lifestyle (smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, and dietary intake) and psychosocial factors (self-rated health, standard of living, psychological distress, and social networks). Frailty was defined as a score of ≥5 on the Kihon Checklist, which is used by the Japanese government to certify the need for long-term care insurance. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals with frailty as the dichotomous dependent variable and health factors as the independent variables were calculated using a multilevel model for repeated measures by sex, followed by stratification analyses by the degree of housing damage. Results Over the 4-year study period, 510 participants (22.6%) developed frailty. In the post-disaster setting, many of the psychosocial factors remained more prevalent 4 years later among survivors with extensive housing damage. The presence of risk factors regarding the development of frailty differed by the degree of housing damage. Among men, psychological distress, in parallel with a poor social network, was related to frailty among only the participants with extensive housing damage and those living in temporary housing, whereas among women, worsening psychological distress was associated only with no damage and no displaced survivors. Among women with extensive damage and displacement, health outcomes such as overweight and diabetes and poor social networks were strongly related to frailty. Conclusions Lifestyle and psychosocial factors associated with the risk of frailty differ by sex and the degree of housing damage.

The Global Energy and Water cycle Exchanges (GEWEX) Data and Assessments Panel (GDAP) initiated the GEWEX Water Vapor Assessment (G-VAP), which has the main objectives to quantify the current state of the art in water vapour products being constructed for climate applications and to support the selection process of suitable water vapour products by GDAP for its production of globally consistent water and energy cycle products. During the construction of the G-VAP data archive, freely available and mature satellite and reanalysis data records with a minimum temporal coverage of 10 years were considered. The archive contains total column water vapour (TCWV) as well as specific humidity and temperature at four pressure levels (1000, 700, 500, 300 hPa) from 22 different data records. All data records were remapped to a regular longitude–latitude grid of 2° × 2°. The archive consists of four different folders: 22 TCWV data records covering the period 2003–2008, 11 TCWV data records covering the period 1988–2008, as well as 7 specific humidity and 7 temperature data records covering the period 1988–2009. The G-VAP data archive is referenced under the following digital object identifier (doi): https://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/GVAP/V001. Within G-VAP, the characterization of water vapour products is, among other ways, achieved through intercomparisons of the considered data records, as a whole and grouped into three classes of predominant retrieval condition: clear-sky, cloudy-sky and all-sky. Associated results are shown using the 22 TCWV data records. The standard deviations among the 22 TCWV data records have been analysed and exhibit distinct maxima over central Africa and the tropical warm pool (in absolute terms) as well as over the poles and mountain regions (in relative terms). The variability in TCWV within each class can be large and prohibits conclusions about systematic differences in TCWV between the classes.

In Heliotron J, peripheral plasma fluctuation and/or turbulence have been measured by using a fast camera for over 10 years. Many image data are provided as two-dimensional information of time series by a fast camera, and they represent the spatial shape of fluctuation and its complex behavior. From experience in Heliotron J experiment, most of the peripheral fluctuations have elongated spatial structure along magnetic field lines. Because the movement of electrons and ions along the field lines is much faster than their vertical motion, this is natural; the filamentary structure along the field lines should be formed as a fundamental of many types of fluctuations in Heliotron J. In the image of the fast camera, if the fluctuation having a filamentous structure along the magnetic field line is observed as a brighter region than its surrounding plasma, the image of this fluctuation should coincide with the projection image of the magnetic field line passing through the position of this fluctuation. That is, by comparing the projected image of magnetic field lines and the image of fluctuation images, three-dimensional information on peripheral plasma fluctuation can be obtained. Therefore, with the help of geometry of magnetic field lines, to extract three dimensional information about the fluctuation in Heliotron J from the two-dimensional image was tried. As a result, in the analysed range, the filament was along the magnetic field line; it appeared to occur from the O-point in the field of view, and disappear at the X-point. Apparent speed in the poloidal cross-section was approximately 500 m/s.In the future, if this analysis method is applied, more detailed data on fluctuation will be obtained in Heliotron J. Keywords: Peripheral fluctuation, Fast camera, Magnetic field line, Heliotron J

Partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in surface water and vertical profiles of the carbonate system parameters were measured during austral summer in the Indian sector of the Southern Ocean (64–67° S, 32–58° E) in January 2006 to understand the CO2 dynamics of seawater in the seasonal ice zone. Surface-water pCO2 ranged from 275 to 400 μatm, and longitudinal variations reflected the dominant influence of water temperature and dilution by sea ice meltwater between 32 and 40° E and biological productivity between 40 and 58° E. Using carbonate system data from the temperature minimum layer (−1.9 °C < T < −1.5 °C, 34.2 < S < 34.5), we examined the winter-to-summer evolution of surface-water pCO2 and the factors affecting it. Our results indicate that pCO2 increased by as much as 32 μatm, resulting mainly from the increase in water temperature. At the same time as changes in sea ice concentration and surface-water pCO2, the air–sea CO2 flux, which consists of the exchange of CO2 between sea ice and atmosphere, changed from −1.1 to +0.9 mmol C m−2 day−1 between winter and summer. These results suggest that, for the atmosphere, the seasonal ice zone acts as a CO2 sink in winter and a temporary CO2 source in summer immediately after the retreat of sea ice. Subsequent biological productivity likely decreases surface-water pCO2 and the air–sea CO2 flux becomes negative, such that in summer the study area is again a CO2 sink with respect to the atmosphere.

Although the ecology of tropical peat swamp forests is only now becoming understood, they are already under severe threat of conversion and degradation. Based on studies of the peat swamp forest of the Giam Siak Kecil–Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve carried out between 2009 and 2010, this paper discusses forest types and regeneration processes in terms of promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the remaining peat swamp forest. Permanent plots covering a total area of three hectares were established in natural and disturbed forest areas. Within these plots, 135 tree species belonging to 34 families were identified. Mixed peat swamp forest and bintangur forest, which have different dominant species, were identified as the main forest types. The greatest species richness was in logged-over forest, with 82 species and a density of 2,492 stems ha-1. The success of regeneration varied between typical main species in the logged-over forest and in forest disturbed by wind and fire. All of the forest stands had high densities of trees with diameters at breast height (DBH) of 3–10 cm, which are a potential source of recruitment to ensure the sustained regeneration of the forest remaining in the Biosphere Reserve. Regeneration is very important for improving the condition of disturbed peat swamp forest areas in the reserve, but natural regeneration will not be sufficient to restore the forest vegetation and conserve the associated biodiversity. Some form of human-assisted accelerated regeneration will be needed, such as enrichment planting of typical canopy species that have problems with establishment. It is important for the remaining natural peat swamp forests to be conserved because of their unique forest-type formations which have distinct dominant species, floristic composition, diversity and local environment characteristics. Improved management of secondary forest must be achieved through rehabilitation, halted forest conversion, and reducing the impact of disturbance by wind and fire.

The endoscopic examination of a 64-year-old male patient revealed a gastric submucosal tumor in the anterior wall of the gastric antrum. The lesion increased in diameter to 25 mm and was resected completely with endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Histological examination of the submucosal tumor gave a diagnosis of an inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP). It is suggested that ESD may be an effective and safe therapy for gastric submucosal tumors.

No abstract available. doi:10.2204/iodp.sd.s01.37.2007

Nonlethal wildlife tourism has potential to support the sustainable use of protected rainforests; however, activities associated with tourism may negatively affect ecology and wildlife behaviour. Abundance and diel activity pattern of wildlife is crucial to understand how they respond to environmental factors. In the present study, we examined whether human activities impact the spatiotemporal patterns of wild mammal communities in a tourist area of Endau-Rompin (Peta) National Park, Malaysia. Using video camera traps, we assessed the detection rates and diel activity patterns of wild mammals along roads in an area near tourist lodgings and a remote area. During a 250-day camera trapping survey, we identified at least 21 species of medium and large mammal. Although the volume of car and motorcycle traffic was significantly higher in the visitor area than the remote area, there were no significant differences in the detection rates of most mammals between the two areas. The diel activity patterns of four species did not differ between the two areas. However, Tragulus species showed different diel activity patterns in the visitor and remote areas, possibly a response to predators, as large carnivores were not observed in the visitor area. These findings emphasise the importance of considering not only direct human impacts but also indirect impacts through interspecific interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]