Aomori Prefecture Research Articles

Fossil periglacial features in Miyamoto, Okamachi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan

Fossil periglacial features in Miyamoto, Okamachi, Aomori City, Aomori Prefecture, Japan

Reality and future availability of fuelwood use in fruit tree production area for an example of Nanawa District, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture

Reality and future availability of fuelwood use in fruit tree production area for an example of Nanawa District, Goshogawara City, Aomori Prefecture

青森県東部におけるオジロワシ <i>Haliaeetus albicilla</i> の本州初の繁殖例

青森県東部におけるオジロワシ <i>Haliaeetus albicilla</i> の本州初の繁殖例

Decreased Susceptibility of a Venturia inaequalis Strain Derivedfrom Aomori Prefecture to DMI, QoI and MBC Fungicides

Decreased Susceptibility of a <i>Venturia inaequalis</i> Strain Derivedfrom Aomori Prefecture to DMI, QoI and MBC Fungicides

Diatom assemblages within tsunami deposit from the 2011 Tohoku-oki earthquake along the Misawa coast, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan

This paper reports variations in the diatom assemblages within the deposit from the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami along the Misawa coast, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. The landward extent of the tsunami deposit was as much as 400m inland. The deposit contained mixed assemblages of marine-brackish and freshwater diatoms. The mixed assemblages indicated that the tsunami deposit was composed of not only beach and dune sand but also soil from the coastal forest. Marine-brackish species were predominant in the seaward tsunami deposit. However, the relative abundance of marine-brackish species rapidly decreased in the samples about 150 to 250m inland from the shoreline. A decrease in marine-brackish diatoms at inland locations suggests that the eroded terrestrial soil was incorporated into the tsunami deposit. The composition of marine-brackish species in the tsunami deposit was different from that of modern inter- to supra- tidal sediments. One possible interpretation for this discrepancy is that the 2011 tsunami deposit were sourced from multiple environments, including supra-, inter- and sub- tidal locations.

A molecular phylogeny of Pseudocrangonyx from Japan, including a new subterranean species (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Pseudocrangonyctidae)

A subterranean species of pseudocrangonyctid amphipod, Pseudocrangonyx gudariensis Tomikawa &amp; Sato, sp. n., is described from the spring-fed stream Gudari-numa in Hakkoda Mountains, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan. Pseudocrangonyx gudariensis is morphologically similar to P. coreanus Uéno, 1966 and P. febras Sidorov, 2009 based on its relatively small body size, small number of articles of rami of pleopods, and urosomite 1 without basal setae. However, P. gudariensis is distinguished from those species based on the following characteristics: from P. coreanus, antenna 2 of female without calceoli, palmar margins of gnathopods 1 and 2 with distally notched robust setae, inner margin of inner ramus of uropod 2 with 4 robust setae, and basal part of inner ramus of uropod 2 without slender seta; and from P. febras, carpus of gnathopod 2 without serrate robust setae on posterodistal corners, peduncle of pleopods 1 and 2 with setae, and longer article 2 of uropod 3. Phylogenetic analyses using nuclear 28S rRNA and histone H3, and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 16S rRNA markers showed that P. gudariensis is placed among known Pseudocrangonyx Akatsuka and Komai, 1922 species. However, its exact phylogenetic position within the genus could not be determined. The polyphyly of the Japanese Pseudocrangonyx species indicates that multiple colonization events of Pseudocrangonyx ancestors to the Japanese Archipelago could have occurred. The reliability of the past Pseudocrangonyx records from Japan is briefly discussed.

Regional variations of Saccharina japonica forests distribution around the Tsugaru Strait by acoustic method

As the global warming, commercially important species Saccharina japonica disappeared, what is called sea desertification occurred in some coastal waters around the Tsugaru Strait recently. For the sustainability of coastal ecosystem and resources use, understanding the distribution and variation of S. japonica forests is necessary. Surveys for the distribution of S. japonica forests by acoustic method were conducted in four coastal waters: ① Osatsube, Hakodate, the Pacific Ocean side of Hokkaido; ② Ishizaki, Hakodate in Tsugaru Strait of Hokkaido; ③ Okoppe, Oma, in Tsugaru Strait of Aomori Prefecture; ④ Shiriyazaki, Higashidori, the Pacific Ocean side of Aomori Prefecture. Thickness and spatial distributions of seaweed were obtained by acoustic method and density of sea urchins by visual observations. In Osatsube coastal water, main species was S. japonica and which forests were most among survey regions. In Ishizaki and Okkope coastal waters, Sargassum spp. was also luxuriant except S. japonica. In Shiriyazaki coastal water, S. japonica dominated and a greater number of sea urchins were observed than other regions. In regions where little benefit from Oyashio Current, Sargassum spp. grew thickly when sea urchins were rare whereas sea urchin barren occurred when sea urchins with high density.

The factors influencing the length of the terrestrial period in the final instar larvae of Epiophlebia superstes (Selys, 1889) (Anisozygoptera: Epiophlebiidae)

The terrestrial period before adult eclosion of the final instar larvae of Epiophlebia superstes was studied during spring 2008 to 2012, at a mountain stream in Nurukawa, Aomori prefecture, northern Japan. The average terrestrial period of larvae that left the water during early, middle and late April, estimated by mark-release-recapture and caging methods, was 45.3 days (±1.3 days, n = 8), 35.8 days (±1.8 days, n = 9) and 29.0 days (±1.4 days, n = 2), respectively. The date on which a larva left the water was negatively correlated with the terrestrial period (r2 = 0.80, df = 17, p < 0.01). Also, indoors, the terrestrial period was negatively correlated to air temperature (r2 = 0.76, df = 7, p < 0.01).

Comparative Study of the Subsurface Thermal Structure in Northern Honshu, Japan, Based on Normalized Temperature Data and Solute Geothermometers

To promote geothermal development in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, this study compiled a database of the geothermal resources of the prefecture, which included chemical data for 786 hot springs, temperature data for 26 natural springs, and subsurface temperature data for 35 wells. A map of the activity index distribution for the entire prefecture was also developed using the Aomori Prefecture Geothermal Resource database, and its efficiency was discussed by comparison with the distribution of Quaternary volcanoes and the temperature distribution map calculated using quartz and Na-K solute geothermometers. The activity index distribution map for the entire prefecture showed a good fit with both the distribution map of a region with a sharp eastern edge of low-velocity zones in the mantle wedge and the volcanic front, as well as the temperature distribution map calculated using the quartz and Na-K geothermometers. This reflected the effectiveness of the developed map, which indicated the Hakkoda-san and Hiuchi-dake areas as promising for geothermal development. Given that the activity index distribution map is easy to use, it could become a method of assessment, in conjunction with temperature distribution maps calculated using solute geothermometers, for detecting promising areas in the early stages of geothermal exploration.

Regional and Generational Differences in Dialect in Aomori Prefecture : Observed from the Research in a Border Area between Tsugaru and Nambu Regions

Regional and Generational Differences in Dialect in Aomori Prefecture : Observed from the Research in a Border Area between Tsugaru and Nambu Regions

Paleo environment in the Noguchi shell midden during the Holocene transgression maximum, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan

Paleo environment in the Noguchi shell midden during the Holocene transgression maximum, Aomori Prefecture, northern Japan

青森県在来エダマメ・ダイズ「毛豆」の栽培用種子産地間における形質比較

青森県在来エダマメ・ダイズ「毛豆」の栽培用種子産地間における形質比較

Characteristics of Beach Erosion due to the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami and Its Recovery across the Entire Inundated Area

ABSTRACT Kaoru, T. and Udo, K., 2016. Analysis of beach erosion because of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 1252 - 1256. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami caused the disappearance of beaches over a wide area because of inundation accompanying the land subsidence caused by the earthquake and because of tsunami erosion. This study aims to investigate the general characteristics of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami and identify the factors that caused beach damage. The study focuses on 74 beaches from Aomori Prefecture to Chiba Prefecture, including those where the damage was insignificant. Satellite and aerial image analyses demonstrated that the main factor in beach disappearance was not inundation following land subsidence caused by the earthquake bu...

The advantages of incorporating liquid-based cytology (TACAS™) in mass screening for cervical cancer.

We incorporated liquid-based cytology (LBC) in population-based screening for cervical cancer. The usefulness of using LBC in mass screening for cervical cancer was examined. From 2009 to 2014, 157,061 individuals underwent mass screening for cervical cancer in Aomori Prefecture. From 2009 to 2011, cells were collected from 82,218 individuals and the specimens were conventionally prepared (CP). From 2012 to 2014, cells were collected from 74,843 individuals and the specimens were prepared using LBC (TACAS™). Cytology results for the 2 sets of specimens were compared and differences in cytologic features were examined. ASC-US and more severe lesions were detected at a rate of 1.13 % by CP and 1.44 % by LBC, so LBC had a 1.3-fold higher rate of detection. LBC had a 1.6-fold higher rate of LSIL detection and a 1.2-fold higher rate of HSIL detection. CP detected cancer in 20 cases at a rate of 0.024 % while LBC detected cancer in 18 cases at a rate of 0.024 %. Cytodiagnosis of the 18 cases of SCC that LBC identified revealed that 7 were SCC, 8 were HSIL, and 3 were ASC-H. Atypical cells tended to be smaller with TACAS™. LBC reduced the time needed for microscopic examination of a single specimen by 42 % in comparison to CP. LBC using TACAS™ allowed the detection of slight lesions and slight changes in cells. LBC can lessen the burden on medical personnel and may lead to improved accuracy.

High Mortality Rate of Stomach Cancer Caused Not by High Incidence but Delays in Diagnosis in Aomori Prefecture, Japan

Background:There are substantial differences in the mortality rates of stomach cancer among the 47 prefectures in Japan, and Aomori prefecture is one of the most severely impacted. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence and mortality rates of stomach cancer in Aomori prefecture in comparison with Japan as a whole and cast light on reasons underlying variation.Methods:Data on stomach cancer cases were extracted from the Aomori Cancer Registry Database. Incidence rates for specific stages at the time of diagnosis were cited from Monitoring of Cancer Incidence in Japan, and mortality rates for stomach cancer in Aomori prefecture and the whole of Japan were obtained from Vital Statistics. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates were calculated using the direct method.Results:The age-standardised incidence rate of stomach cancer in Aomori prefecture was higher than in the whole of Japan for males but lower for females. However, the age-standardised mortality rates were higher in Aomori prefecture in both sexes. The proportion of localised cancers was lower in Aomori prefecture than in the whole of Japan for most age groups.Conclusions:The lower rate for localised cancer suggests that higher age-standardised mortality rates are due to delays in diagnosis, despite an attendance rate for stomach cancer screening was higher in Aomori prefecture than in the whole of Japan. One plausible explanation for the failure of successful early detection might be poor quality control during screening implementation that impedes early detection.

Environmental Radiation Monitoring and External Dose Estimation in Aomori Prefecture after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

Environmental Radiation Monitoring and External Dose Estimation in Aomori Prefecture after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant Accident

保育園での子どもの遊び声に関する騒音測定調査

A survey was conducted to gather data for an assessment of the vocal noise level from children playing in nursery schools or other similar facilities. Ten nursery schools were surveyed; 5 locations in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo and 5 in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture. The surveys considered two cases: the noise levels while the children were playing in the yard, and those while they were playing inside. Measurements were taken over 10-minute intervals and the variables analyzed were equivalent continuous A-weighted sound pressure level ( called equivalent continuous noise level ), maximum noise level, percentile noise level, and frequency (1/1 and 1/3 octave bands). Additionally, at the first nursery school surveyed, a continuous measurement of the noise level was conducted for 24 hours to examine the conditions of measurements and the length of the analysis period. The noise level was found to be approximately 20 dB higher while the children were playing in the yard or in the pool than during other times of day, and that was about 30 dB louder than at night. In the nursery schools where the measurements were taken, the noise levels were also about 5 to 7 dB higher while the children were entering in the morning, which was not a dramatic difference. The equivalent continuous noise level measured 10 m from the center of a group of children playing in the nursery school yard was about 62 dB when there were 10 individuals and 74 dB when there were 100 individuals. However, it was possible for the noise to momentarily reach levels over 90 dB. The mean level of the vocal noise also increased by about 10 dB during music classes and when a microphone was being used. The frequency analysis of vocal noise from children indicated peaks of around 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz. There were linear decreases from these peaks at other frequencies. These values were higher than the pitches observed from conversations involving only adults. The effectiveness of a noise barrier installed within the nursery school grounds was estimated using the above results. Four cases were considered, where the height of the wall was varied from 2.0 m to 3.5 m. The wall was estimated to reduce the noise by 15 － 20 dB, which was considered to be sufficiently effective.

Continuation of Local Markets and Distribution Channels from Farmers in Aomori Prefecture

Continuation of Local Markets and Distribution Channels from Farmers in Aomori Prefecture

Resumption of Smoking by Women after Childbirth: Influence of Spousal Smoking

To investigate factors related to resumption of smoking by women after childbirth, the smoking habits of 241 postnatal women, who initially had stopped smoking after pregnancy, in a rural city in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, were studied at 5 - 6 days, 1 month, and 12 months after childbirth. At 1 month after childbirth, only nine women had resumed smoking, but a total of 40 women had resumed smoking after 12 months. Factors related to smoking resumption after childbirth included the switching from breast feeding to bottle feeding and the influence of smoking by their spouses. Spousal smoking is an important factor in the resumption of smoking by women after childbirth.

Use of Remote Sensing to the High-quality Rice Production in Aomori Prefecture

Use of Remote Sensing to the High-quality Rice Production in Aomori Prefecture