Seasonal Transition Features of Large-Scale Moisture Transport in the Asian-Australian Monsoon Region

Using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data for the period of 1957-2001, the climatological seasonal transition features of large-scale vertically integrated moisture transport （VIMT） in the Asian-Australian monsoon region are investigated in this paper. The basic features of the seasonal transition of VIMT from winter to summer are the establishment of the summertime ＂great moisture river＂ pattern （named the GMR pattern） and its eastward expansion, associated with a series of climatological events which occurred in some ＂key periods＂, which include the occurrence of the notable southerly VIMT over the Indochina Peninsula in mid March, the activity of the low VIMT vortex around Sri Lanka in late April, and the onset of the South China Sea summer monsoon in mid May, among others. However, during the transition from summer to winter, the characteristics are mainly exhibited by the establishment of the easterly VIMT belt located in the tropical area, accompanied by some events occurring in ＂key periods＂. Further analyses disclose a great difference between the Indian and East Asian monsoon regions when viewed from the meridional migration of the westerly VIMT during the seasonal change process, according to which the Asian monsoon region can be easily divided into two parts along the western side of the Indochina Peninsula and it may also denote different formation mechanisms between the two regions.

The Impact of Orographically-Induced Gravity Waves on the Diurnal Cycle of Rainfall over Southeast Kalimantan Island

Precipitation measurements from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite indicate that the southeastern area of Kalimantan (Borneo) Island receives much less rainfall than elsewhere on the island during the period from July to October.Results from sur-face meteorological observations show that the diurnal cycle of rainfall differs greatly between the eastern and western coasts of the island.Rainfall on the western coast of the island is frequent in the afternoon and evening,whereas almost all rainfall on the eastern coast occurs in the morning.Meanwhile,the Global Positioning System (GPS)-derived precipitable water (PW) on the eastern coast shows a substantial decrease in moisture in the af-ternoon and evening.Numerical experiments with a mesoscale model reveal that gravity waves driven by di-urnal heating of the elevated land surface of the moun-tains on Sulawesi Island,which lies approximately 300 kilometers to the east of Kalimantan Island,significantly affect the diurnal cycle of rainfall over southeast Kali-mantan Island.

Multiseptate gallbladder with anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union: A case report

Multiseptate gallbladder, characterized by the presence of multiple septa dividing the gallbladder lumen, is a very extremely rare congenital anomaly of the gallbladder. On the other hand, anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union is also one of the congenital anomalous biliary diseases and thought to be related with choledochal cyst or biliary tract malignancies. In this paper, we describe a unique and first patient of multiseptate gallbladder with anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union and a review of the literature. To clarify more characters of the multiseptate gallbladder, examination of a larger patient population will be needed and further studies will be required.

Preface to the Special Issue:Climate Change and Variability of Tropical Cyclone Activity

Tropical cyclones(TCs) are one of the most destructive natural phenomena on Earth in terms of human-life and economic losses. It is currently a matter of prodigious public and scientific interest how TC activity has changed and will change in a warming climate. This special issue focuses on a challenging subject raised in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) report and numerous research papers.

Collating Historic Weather Observations for the East Asian Region： Challenges, Solutions, and Reanalyses

1. IntroductionHistoric instrumental weather observations, made on land or at sea from as early as the 17th century （e.g.,Camuffo et al.,2010）,are integral to extending our understanding of the decadal and centennial variations of Earth＇s climate and for comparison with paleo-proxy data.

Urban climate in the Tokyo metropolitan area in Japan

Long-term climate changes related with urbanization in Tokyo, Japan, and recent temperature and heavy rainfall distribution in the Tokyo metropolitan area are reviewed. A relatively high temperature increase in annual mean temperature at the rate of 3.0°C/century was detected in Tokyo for the period 1901–2015. Some observational evidence showed the existence of both thermal and mechanical effects of urbanization on recent heavy rainfall occurrences, and modeling studies also support precipitation enhancement. Urban influences were recognized in other climatological elements, such as number of fog days, relative humidity, and wind circulation.

Solar power sail mission of OKEANOS

The solar power sail is an original Japanese concept in which electric power is generated by thin-film solar cells attached on the solar sail membrane.Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency(JAXA)successfully demonstrated the world’s first solar power sail technology through IKAROS(Interplanetary Kite-craft Accelerated by Radiation of the Sun)mission in 2010.IKAROS demonstrated photon propulsion and power generation using thin-film solar cells during its interplanetary cruise.Scaled up,solar power sails can generate enough power to drive high specific impulse ion thrusters in the outer planetary region.With this concept,we propose a landing or sample return mission to directly explore a Jupiter Trojan asteroid using solar power sail-craft OKEANOS(Oversize Kite-craft for Exploration and AstroNautics in the Outer Solar System).After rendezvousing with a Trojan asteroid,a lander separates from OKEANOS to collect samples,and perform in-situ analyses in three proposed mission sequences,including sending samples back to Earth.This paper proposes a system design for OKEANOS and includes analyses of the latest mission.