Sea Side Research Articles

Assessment of snowmelt triggered landslide hazard and risk in Japan

Abstract This study is pertaining to an evaluation of landslide occurrence on natural terrain due to snowmelt in Japan, using a probabilistic model based on multiple logistic regression analysis. The evaluation concerns several physical parameters such as hydraulic parameters, geographical parameters and geological parameters which are considered to be influential in the occurrence of landslides. A Snow Water Equivalent model (SWE) is utilized to estimate snowmelt and associated infiltration in light, heavy and normal snow years. Using the constructed spatial data-sets, we apply a multiple logistic regression model to produce landslide susceptibility maps showing the spatial–temporal distribution of landslide hazard probabilities throughout Japan using 1 km × 1 km resolution grid cells. The results have revealed that, over 95% landslide hazard probability exists in the mountain ranges on the western side of Japan (the Japan Sea side). In particular, this study is dealing with the Aizu region of Fukushima prefecture in order to verifying the landslide hazard probability. Verification proved that, the areas identified as high risk areas (having over 90% landslide hazard probability in numerical modeling) show 87% agreement with observed landslides in the Aizu region. Also we evaluated the relationship between landslides and snow melting process giving special concern to change of temperature in the spring.

Gifttierunfälle in Mitteleuropa

Central Europe is largely safe from accidents with venomous and poisonous animals. The regions where European vipers are regularly found are shrinking. Today accidents with jellyfish and stings of venomous fish afflicted during leisure activities at the sea side play the dominant role. Life threatening accidents in Europe are mainly due to exotic snakes held in captivity. A system useful in daily medical practice is explained to classify and stage accidents due to poisonous and venomous animals. The important poisonous and venomous animals of Central Europe and the specific therapeutics, the antivenoms, are covered. The antivenom depot "Antivenin-CH" of the Swiss Toxicology Information Centre in Zurich and the MRITox in Munich with the antivenom registry Munich AntiVenom INdex (MAVIN) are presented.

４〜１０世紀における気候変動と人間活動

The global climate is known to have been relatively warm during the period from the 4th to 10th centuries, although there were slightly different fluctuation patterns locally and regionally. The present article addresses these differences, analyzing the results of previous studies. The warm period is known in Europe as the Medieval Warm Period. Evidence in Japan is also found from the 4th century to the 11th century. Because historical age divisions differ between Europe and Japan, the peak of the Warm Period from the 7th to the 10th century is classified as part of the ancient period in Japan. Therefore, the Warm Period in Japan has been proposed to be called the Nara-Heian Warm Period, Heian Warm Period or Little Climatic Optimum. Based on the water level changes of Lake Shinji in Shimane Prefecture, the present article discusses the warmer climatic conditions in the Heian Period. It also examines old agricultural settlements in the Tohoku District, northern Honshu. People came from Hokkaido or northern Honshu and cultivated rice in the northeastern-most part of Honshu in the 1st century B.C. It is thought that the effect of the warm current branch flowing along the Japan Sea Coast and emerging on the Pacific side through the Tsugaru Straight had an influence on the distribution of rice cultivation at this early stage. Finally, the article shows that the northward shift of the power front of the Central Government (Yamato Chotei) during the 7th to the 9th centuries occurred about 70-80 years earlier in Dewa, an ancient state on the Japan Sea side of Tohoku District, than in Mutsu, also an ancient state on the Pacific side. It is interesting to note, however, that the speed of the northward shift was almost the same on both sides, even though there were different political powers, situations and problems on either side. It is suggested that the northward shift was affected by the warming on the broader space scale.

Comparison of time delays of sprites induced by winter lightning flashes in the Japan Sea with those in the Pacific Ocean

The measurement of unusual winter sprites in the Hokuriku area (Japan Sea side) was performed as a primary target of the 2006/2007 winter campaign by means of coordinated optical and extremely low frequency (ELF)/very high-frequency (VHF) electromagnetic observations. We have also added the same observations for the sprites in the Pacific Ocean, to be compared with the characteristics of Hokuriku sprites. The following results have emerged from this campaign: (i) the predominance of column sprites in winter has been confirmed not only for the Hokuriku area but also in the Pacific Ocean (with the probability just above 60%), (ii) carrots are much more frequently observed in the Pacific Ocean (with a probability of ∼28%) than in the Hokuriku area (∼16%), (iii) a very unique property of Hokuriku sprites is the surprisingly long delay (average ∼90 ms) of sprites from their parent lightning flashes and the delays for carrots and columns exhibit some significant difference (80 ms for columns and 100 ms for carrots) and (iv) the time delay of Pacific Ocean sprites is much shorter (∼43 ms average) than that at Hokuriku, but there is no remarkable difference in delay between carrots and columns. Finally we discussed the importance of time delay studies to understand sprite generations and their parent lightning discharges, because the difference of time delays on the Japan Sea side and in the Pacific Ocean are thought to be causally related to the parameters of parent thunderstorms.

Raised coastal terraces along the Ionian Sea coast of northern Calabria, Italy, suggest space and time variability of tectonic uplift rates

A detailed study of uplifted Middle–Late Pleistocene marine terraces on the eastern side of northern Calabria, southern Italy, provides insights into the temporal and spatial scale variability of vertical displacement rates over a time span of ∼400 ka. Calabria is located in the frontal orogen of southern Italy above the westerly-plunging Ionian slab, and a combination of lithospheric, crustal, and surface processes concurred to rapid Late Quaternary uplift. Eleven terrace orders and a raised Holocene beach were mapped up to ∼480 m a.s.l., and were correlated between the coastal slopes of Pollino and Sila mountain ranges across the Sibari Plain, facing the Ionian Sea side of northeastern Calabria. Precise corrections were applied to the measured shoreline angles in order to account for uncertainty in measurement, erosion of marine deposits, recent debris shedding, and bathymetric range of markers. Radiometric (ESR and 14C) dating of shells provides a crono-stratigraphic scheme, although many samples were found to be resedimented in younger terraces. Terrace T4, whose inner margin stands at elevations of 94–130 m, is assigned to MIS 5.5 (∼124 ka), based on new ESR dating and previous amino acid racemization estimations. The underlying terraces T3, T2 and T1 are attributed to MIS 5.3 (∼100 ka), 5.1 (∼80 ka) and 3 (∼60 ka), as inferred from their relative position supplemented by ESR and 14C age determinations. The age of higher terraces is poorly constrained, but conceivably is tracked back to MIS 11 (∼400 ka). The reconstructed depositional sequence of terraces attributed to MIS 5.5 and 7 reveals two regressive marine cycles separated by an alluvial fanglomerate, which, given the steady uplift regime, points to minor sub-orbital sea-level changes during interstadial highstands. Based on the terrace chronology, uplift in the last ∼400 ka occurred at an average rate of 1 mm/a, but was characterized by the alternation of more rapid (up to ∼3.5 mm/a) and slower (down to ∼0.5 mm/a) periods of displacement. Spatial variability in uplift rates is recorded by the deformation profile of terraces parallel to the coast, which document the growth of local fold structures.

A Computational Science IDE for HPC Systems: Design and Applications

Software engineering studies have shown that programmer productivity is improved through the use of computational science integrated development environments (or CSIDE, pronounced "sea side") such as MATLAB. Scientists often desire to use high-performance computing (HPC) systems to run their existing CSIDE scripts with large data sets. ParaM is a CSIDE distribution that provides parallel execution of MATLAB scripts on HPC systems at large shared computer centers. ParaM runs on a range of processor architectures (e.g., x86, x64, Itanium, PowerPC) and its MPI binding, known as bcMPI, supports a number of interconnect architectures (e.g., Myrinet and InfiniBand). On a cluster at Ohio Supercomputer Center, bcMPI with blocking communication has achieved 60% of the bandwidth of an equivalent C/MPI benchmark. In this paper, we describe goals and status for the ParaM project and the development of applications in signal and image processing that use ParaM.

Geophysical characterisation of Carlo's V Castle (Crotone, Italy)

The Carlo's V Castle, located in Crotone Town, on the Ionian coast of the Calabria Region (Italy), date back to the 13th century d.C. (Fig. 1). During its long life, the building changed several owners and sustained the damages and the consequent reconstructions due to the innumerable naval battles. Moreover, the castle suffered the action of the earthquakes which always afflict the region. With the principal aim of detecting the location, depth and geometry of the rests of destroyed structures, a systematic Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey was carried out in the area inside the boundary walls. The results are sixty-two one-meter-spaced, filtered and migrated radargrams arranged in four 3D data-sets. From each data-set, the most significant time-slice was extracted. To reduce the ambiguity in the GPR data interpretation, additional geophysical techniques, such as Magnetic (M), and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), were carried out with a partial superimposition with the GPR data. A comparison and a joint interpretation amongst different geophysical data pointed out some very remarkable features associated to buried remains and possible buried cannonballs. With the secondary aim to check the presence of an old military walkway linking two bastions a GPR profile was carried out on the sea side boundary wall. The GPR results are in agreement with an ERT survey carried out on the same profile and consistent with the presence of an underground passage.

Biogeography of Tropical Montane Cloud Forests. Part II: Mapping of Orographic Cloud Immersion

AbstractThis study details two unique methods to quantify cloud-immersion statistics for tropical montane cloud forests (TMCFs). The first technique uses a new algorithm for determining cloud-base height using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud products, and the second method uses numerical atmospheric simulation along with geostationary satellite data. Cloud-immersion statistics are determined using MODIS data for March 2003 over the study region consisting of Costa Rica, southern Nicaragua, and northern Panama. Comparison with known locations of cloud forests in northern Costa Rica shows that the MODIS-derived cloud-immersion maps successfully identify known cloud-forest locations in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) database. Large connected regions of cloud immersion are observed in regions in which the trade wind flow is directly impinging upon the mountain slopes; in areas in which the flow is parallel to the slopes, a fractured spatial distribution of TMCFs is observed. Comparisons of the MODIS-derived cloud-immersion map with the model output show that the MODIS product successfully captures the important cloud-immersion patterns in the Monteverde region of Costa Rica. The areal extent of cloud immersion is at a maximum during morning hours and at a minimum during the afternoon, before increasing again in the evening. Cloud-immersion frequencies generally increase with increasing elevation and tend to be higher on the Caribbean Sea side of the mountains. This study shows that the MODIS data may be used successfully to map the biogeography of cloud forests and to quantify cloud immersion over cloud-forest locations.

Landfilling with Mixed Wastes: Environmental Effects of Wastes and their Management in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey

Adding mixed waste to coastal landfill areas is common in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. The area studied in this paper covers the coastal cities of Ordu, Giresun, Trabzon, and Rize. All these cities have gained extensive landfill areas from the shores just in front of them. Residential waste and rubble has been infilled along the shores of the cities for a distance of ~30—50 m from the sea side since the 1970s. This now supports a double lane road construction that follows the shore line. Both actions have caused damage to sea shore ecology. The consequences of using mixed waste in landfill is discussed under the following headings: health impacts of wastes (scavenging sea gulls may carry infectious diseases); composition and chemical properties of wastes; visual and environmental impact; lack of integration with development plans for the re-use of filled lands; dumping techniques. This paper was prepared by analysis of maps, visual and photographic analysis, site investigations and evaluation of municipal records from the region.

Total deposition velocities and scavenging ratios of 7Be and 210Pb at Rokkasho, Japan

The atmospheric concentrations and deposition fluxes of 7Be and 210Pb were observed biweekly in Rokkasho, Japan on the Pacific Ocean coast at the northern end of Honshu Island, from March 2000 to March 2006, to clarify their regional features. Seasonal variation pattern of atmospheric 7Be concentrations had double peaks, and that of 210Pb had a single peak. Deposition fluxes of 7Be and 210Pb showed the same patterns. The total deposition pattern of 7Be was similar to that commonly seen on the Pacific Ocean side of northern Honshu Island, while the pattern of 210Pb was similar to that commonly seen on the Japan Sea side. The lack of high spine mountains windward in Rokkasho may be the cause of this ambiguity in the winter monsoon season. Total deposition velocities and scavenging ratios of 210Pb were similar to those of 7Be from spring to fall, and showed that both nuclides had a similar removal process from the atmosphere. However, the scavenging ratios of 210Pb were slightly larger than those of 7Be in winter, indicating different behaviors for both nuclides in the scavenging process. The scavenging ratios of both nuclides inversely correlated with precipitation rate, and the ratios in winter were larger than in the other seasons.

Effects of coastal afforestation on some soil properties in Lakshmipur coast of Bangladesh

Coastal zones comprising important intertidal tropical and subtropical ecosystems are characterized by high productivity, diversity and unique zonation of various plant and animal communities. The comparison of some selected physicochemical soil properties viz. texture, particle density, moisture content, pH, organic carbon and total nitrogen between planted site (Telir char) and barren site (Boyar char) has been investigated at surface (0–10 cm) and subsurface (10–45 cm) soil across three different land strips viz. inland, middle part and sea side in Lakshmipur coast of Bangladesh. Sand particles in the soil were lower in planted site than barren site. The reverse trend was found in case of both silt and clay percentage. Coastal afforestation had a significant effect on soil binding process since a common trend of increment in soil particle density was noticed. Maximum increment (20.43% to 23.30%) in soil moisture content was recorded in surface soil across the seaside while at subsurface soil both across the middle part (19.53% to 22.30%) and sea side (20.19% to 22.96%). Moreover, the highest reduction in soil pH was recorded at surface soil (7.27 to 6.60) across the sea side and subsurface soil (7.16 to 6.67) in inland due to the influence of coastal plantation. Across all the land strips and the soil depths studied, soil organic carbon was higher in planted site than in barren site with only exception at subsurface soil in the middle part (0.50% in both sites). Total soil nitrogen in the study area was increased at both depths due to forestation with the highest increment in the inland at both surface and subsurface soil.

Coupling softening — ultrafiltration like pretreatment of sea water case study of the Corso plant desalination (Algiers)

The demand of fresh water is increasing twice as fast as population growth, while the natural resources remain invariable or in reduction. Otherwise, the needs of development make that the demand will be superior to resources. To satisfy these last, new techniques of drinking water production implementation by using the desalination of sea water by reverse osmosis. We have the results relating to the pretreatment of the sea water plant desalination by reverse osmosis located in (Corso) the east of Algiers at the Mediterranean sea side. With an aim of increasing the efficiency and the lifespan of reverse osmosis plant in order to avoid or to minimize, the scaling and the membranes fouling, the water pretreatment sea is necessary. The sea characteristics water are: total hardness (390°F), conductivity (55,000µs/cm), turbidity (8.40 NTU). Like technique of pretreatment, we chose the water softening of sea by lime, the resin and ultrafiltration, and finally coupling ions exchange — ultrafiltration and coupling precipitation by lime-ultrafiltration. Three resins amberlite CG 50, CG 400, IR 120 were used. The ultrafitration tests have been made on tubular mineral membrane CARBOSEP M2 (15kg/mol). The coupling treatment of the filtrate by ions exchange (amberlite IR 120) to ultrafiltration gave the best result with 98% of turbidity reduction, a final value of 0.13NTU. An improvement of the limit permeate flux was obtained, where the value passed from 30.6L/hm 2 (ultrafiltration alone) to a value of 47.5L/hm 2 for a concentration of 360mg/L of the resin amberlite IR 120 with an increase of 35%.

Study on the generation of the Offshore Strong Currents Based on a Cross Correlation Analysis

The current measurements have been carried out by NOWPHAS at several stations in the coastal area around Japan since 1996. In the data, temporal but simultaneous changes in residual currents were recognized at several stations in the Japan Sea side. In this study, the cross correlation analysis between current velocity and atmospheric pressure was made, and the migratory characteristic of low pressure distribution was investigated by tracing the negative maximum correlation area. As a result, it was found that the each station has an original migratory characteristic. For example, it was found that the generation of the strong current in the Sea of Japan side has close correlation with the low pressure migratory in northern area.

Late Eocene shoreline volcanism along the continental margin:the volcanic succession at Kabuki Iwa, Oga Peninsula, NE Japan

The Oga Peninsula is situated on the Japan Sea side of the NE Japan Arc (Fig. 1). A Cenozoic succession is well exposed along the coast and has been referred to as a type of Cenozoic succession of northern Japan since Huzioka (1959) established the stratigraphic framework of the succession. Volcanic rocks are extensively exposed in the western part of the peninsula and occupy the lower part of the Cenozoic succession (Huzioka, 1959, 1973). They are believed to represent the initial process of the Japan Sea opening that prevailed during the Early Miocene time, but their volcanological and tectonic aspects remain poorly understood (e.g. Kano et al., 2007a,b, 2008; Kobayashi et al., 2008). This paper describes the occurrence of the volcanic rocks which are exposed at Kabuki Iwa (Rock) near the northern tip of the peninsula (Fig.1), in order to reveal volcanic and associated tectonic activities at that time. The lower volcanic succession in the western Oga Peninsula is divided into the Akashima Formation, Monzen Formation, and Nomuragawa Formation in ascending stratigraphic order and is unconformably overlain by the Middle to Late Miocene marine sediments of the Nishikurosawa and Onnagawa Formations (Figs. 1 and 2). The Nomuragawa Formation is a stratigraphic unit newly identified by Kobayashi et al. (2004). This formation comprises mainly dacite pyroclastic flows, basaltic andesite lava flows and scoriaceous deposits and is correlative with the main part of the Daijima Formation distributed on the immediate eastern side (Fig. 2). The Daijima Formation is accompanied by non-marine clastic sediments at its uppermost part, but radiometric dates indicate both the Nomuragawa and Daijima Formations are Early Miocene in age and mutually correlative (Kobayashi et al., 2004). The Monzen Formation is a mafic to felsic volcanic complex emplaced in a transition area from land to shallow water (Kobayashi et al., 2008) and can be divided into eight units (Fig. 2). Radiometric ages reported for this volcanic succession have been diverse but could span a few million years of Late Eocene to Early Oligocene time (Kano et al., 2007b, 2008). There are many contemporaneous dikes extending mostly in a NE-SW direction, as shown by the geological maps (Huzioka, 1959, 1973), perhaps reflecting an NW-SE extensional stress field of that time (Yamamoto, 1991). The upper most subaqueous rhyolite lava dome of Shinzan Rhyolite is over hundreds of meters thick and suggests the increase of crustal rifting. On the other hand, the overlying Nomuragawa Formation and Daijima Formation are characterized by bimodal volcanism and on-land eruptions. Shallow-water sediments of the uppermost Daijima Formation are likely to record the succeeding subsidence of this area in association with Late Eocene shoreline volcanism along the continental margin: the volcanic succession at Kabuki Iwa, Oga Peninsula, NE Japan

The Keiva ice marginal zone on the Kola Peninsula, northwest Russia: a key component for reconstructing the palaeoglaciology of the northeastern Fennoscandian Ice Sheet

One of the key elements in reconstructing the palaeoglaciology of the northeastern sector of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet is the Keiva ice marginal zone (KIZ) along the southern and eastern coast of Kola Peninsula, including the Keiva I and II moraines. From detailed geomorphological mapping of the KIZ, primarily using aerial photographs and satellite images, combined with fieldwork, we observed the following. (1) The moraines display ice contact features on both the Kola side and the White Sea side along its entire length. (2) The Keiva II moraine is sloping along its length from c. 100 m a.s.l. in the west (Varzuga River) to c. 250 m a.s.l. in the east (Ponoy River). (3) The KIZ was partly overrun and fragmented by erosive White Sea‐based ice after formation. From these observations we conclude that the KIZ is not a synchronous feature formed along the lateral side of a White Sea‐based ice lobe. If it was, the moraines should have a reversed slope. Rather, we interpret it to be time transgressive, formed at a northeastward‐migrating junction between a warm‐based Fennoscandian Ice Sheet expanding from the west and southwest into the White Sea depression, and a sluggish cold‐based ice mass centred over eastern Kola Peninsula. In contrast to earlier reconstructions, we find it unlikely that an ice expansion of this magnitude was a mere re‐advance during the deglaciation. Instead, we propose that the KIZ was formed during a major expansion of a Fennoscandian Ice Sheet at a time pre‐dating the Last Glacial Maximum.

Initial growth of phytoplankton in turbid estuaries: A simple model

An idealised model is presented and analysed to gain more fundamental understanding about the dynamics of phytoplankton blooms in well-mixed, suspended sediment dominated estuaries. The model describes the behaviour of subtidal currents, suspended sediments, nutrients and phytoplankton in a channel geometry. The initial growth of phytoplankton and its spatial distribution is calculated by solving an eigenvalue problem. The growth rates depend on the position in the estuary due to along-estuary variations in nutrient concentration and suspended sediment concentration. The model yields an insight into how the onset of blooms in the model depends on physical and biological processes (turbulent mixing, fresh water discharge, light attenuation, imposed nutrient concentrations at the river and sea side). In particular, the model demonstrates that the joint action of spatial variations in turbidity and in nutrients causes the maximum phytoplankton concentrations to occur seaward of the estuarine turbidity maximum.

New age constraints on counter-clockwise rotation of NE Japan

SUMMARY The Miocene basaltic‐andesitic lavas and Cretaceous granites were sampled in the Abukuma Terrane of northeast Honshu for geochronological and palaeomagnetic investigations to determine precise timing of counter-clockwise rotation of NE Japan. Characteristic component with unblocking temperature of 560‐590 ◦ C is isolated from 26 sites of the Takadate and Ryozen Formations and 12 sites of the Cretaceous granites. Concordant northwesterly palaeomagnetic directions (D = 265 ◦ ‐331 ◦ ) are observed in the Cretaceous granites of the Abukuma Terrane. The Cretaceous mean-palaeomagnetic direction from this terrane (D = 313.5 ◦ , I = 54.6 ◦ , α 95 = 6.3 ◦ and N = 20) is almost identical to Oligo-Miocene (33‐20 Ma) palaeomagnetic direction reported from the Japan Sea side of NE Japan as well as to the Cretaceous palaeomagnetic direction reported from the Kitakami Terrane. This type of behaviour clearly suggests that the Abukuma Terrane underwent a coherent counter-clockwise rotation as a part of NE Japan after 20 Ma. Conventional potassium (K)-Argon (Ar) dating method performed on the plagioclase grains revealed distinctive ages of 14.44 ± 0.88 and 16.52 ± 0.82 Ma for the Takadate Formation (11 sites) and the Ryozen Formation (eight sites), respectively. This type of behaviour indicates that two independent episodes of volcanic activities were probably responsible for the production of igneous rocks in the Takadate and Ryozen areas. Northerly declination is obtained from the Takadate Formation (D = 355.3 ◦ , I = 39.4 ◦ , α 95 = 11.6 ◦ ), while slightly westerly deflected declination appears in the Ryozen Formation (D = 333.5 ◦ , I = 58.0 ◦ and α 95 = 9.6 ◦ ). The here presented results, therefore, suggest that the province of NE Japan was still experiencing a counter-clockwise rotation at 16.5 Ma, however by 14.4 Ma the rotational motion has completely ceased. Compared with the available palaeomagnetic and geochronological data from SW Japan, rotational motion in both provinces of NE and SE Japan has already been ceased by 14 Ma. Thus any additional evidence regarding the complete cessation of rotational motions in NE Japan will provide a key to understand the timing of opening in the Japan Sea.

Tratamento da osteoporose em Portugal: tendência e variação geográfica.

The drugs available in the Portuguese market, for the treatment of osteoporosis, have different mechanisms of action, efficacy, indications, safety profile, and cost, which may influence prescription and acquisition by patients. To describe the use of drugs for osteoporosis treatment (estimated by sales), between 1998 and 2004, and the geographical variation in the drug utilization, in 2004. Data was obtained from IMS Health for the sales of drugs used in the ambulatory treatment of osteoporosis, in the whole country, from 1998 to 2004, and by region, in 2004. For each group (bisphosphonates, raloxifene, calcitonins, Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and calcium and vitamin D), we computed the sum of the amount of packages and the value of the sales in each year, regardless of the strength or the package size. For bisphosphonates, raloxifene and calcitonins, we computed the DDD (Defined Daily Dose) sold in Portugal. All consumption data are presented by women aged 45 to 74 years. National data was used to describe the trends in sales, from 1998 to 2004, and regional data was used to map the 2004 consumptions. The expenses with drugs used in osteoporosis increased 60% from 1998 to 2004. The bisphosphonates sales increased more than five times, and in 2004 this group was responsible for 60% of the national market of drugs for osteoporosis treatment. Raloxifene represented approximately 10% of the sales in 2004. The consumption of calcitonins decreased nearly 70% in the observation period. The use of HRT increased 30% to 40% until 2001/2002, and decreased just about the same from there on. Geographical differences were observed in the sales of osteoporosis drugs in 2004, the amplitude of variation ranging from two (bisphosphonates, calcium and vitamin D, HRT) to three times (raloxifene, calcitonins) across regions. The lowest consumptions were observed in Beja and Bragança, and the highest in Aveiro. Raloxifene is used mainly in the Northwest of the country, and HRT in the sea side regions. In Portugal, the trends in the consumption of drugs used for osteoporosis treatment, as well as the relative weight of each pharmacological group, follow a similar pattern to the observed in other countries. The differences in consumption across the years and regions may reflect a variation in the frequency of disease or in the proportion of subjects being treated, but the magnitude of the variation suggests that there are unmet needs in diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in our country, and that social and economic factors may contribute to the regional differences observed.

Effects of sandblasting and salt spray on inland plants transplanted to coastal sand dunes

AbstractA transplant experiment was conducted on a sandy beach to elucidate whether salt spray and sandblasting are the major factors inhibiting inland plants from becoming established on coastal sand dunes. Potted inland plants of Miscanthus sinensis and Imperata cylindrica var. koenigii were transplanted in two zones on the beach and in one area far inland from the beach. One zone on the beach (sea side) was located on a front dune that was occupied by native sand‐dune plants; the other zone (land side) was located behind the sand dunes, where grassland comprised both sand‐dune and inland species. To assess the condition of transplants, we measured changes in the canopy leaf area periodically at all sites. The final dry weight at each site was determined at the end of the experiment. Seasonal changes in sandblasting and salt spray intensities were evaluated periodically at the sites by measurement of the opaqueness of exposed transparent plastic sheets and the amount of sodium trapped in exposed filter papers, respectively. All transplants died in the sea‐side zone, where both salt spray and sandblasting were most frequent and intense. The final dry weight was greatest at the inland site, which lacked salt spray and sandblasting. Although salt spray was intense in the land‐side zone, the canopy leaf area decreased considerably only in seasons during which salt spray was accompanied by intense sandblasting. We concluded that sandblasting accompanied by salt spray is one of the main factors inhibiting the survival and growth of inland plants on coastal sand dunes.

海水浴場利用者の津波防災意識に関する研究

Recently, local governments push forward not only structural measures but also non-structural measures for Tsunami disaster. However, there is not enough public information for beach user to make early evacuation from sea side in the occurrence of an earthquake. The reason is that it is usual for a local government to send public information to the local inhabitants. To let beach users evacuate earlier, it is necessary to improve the users' awareness of Tsunami vulnerability. In this study, the users'opinions on Tsunami disaster are discussed on the basis of a questionnaire research in Shirarahama Beach in Wakayama where is vulnerable to Tsunami induced by a forward-coming mega-earthquake. The results are also analyzed using the quantification method of multi-variate analysis. The results indicate that there are some effective means for improving the users' consciousness of Tsunami disaster.