Freakish sea index and sea states during ship accidents

Sea states during seven marine accidents near Japan reported in the media were analyzed using a third-generation wave model. Based on the estimated evolution of the directional wave spectrum, a narrowing of the directional spectrum was suggested for five cases. Based on earlier studies in laboratory tanks, the narrowing of the directional spectrum may be associated with increased probability of freak waves at the time of the accident. A diagram mapping the frequency bandwidth and directional spread proved useful as a diagnostic tool. This freakish sea index was compared against recently conducted ocean wave observations. The accident causes are discussed in the context of slamming, green sea loading, loss of stability, broaching and other possibilities.     

Graves’病样自然杀伤T细胞缺如小鼠血清TSH受体抗体的水平

目的　探讨自然杀伤T细胞 (naturalkillerTcell,NKT)在Graves’病发病中的作用。方法　用表达有人TSH受体的细胞免疫NKT细胞缺如小鼠和野生型BLAB/c小鼠 ,每两周一次 ,共 6次。在最后一次免疫结束后两周处死小鼠 ,检测血清甲状腺素水平 ,TSH受体抗体。结果　免疫后的NKT细胞缺如小鼠 ,血清TT4和TRAb水平轻度升高 ,并且与对照组比较 ,有显著性差异。但是 ,在经免疫的NKT细胞缺如小鼠和野生型小鼠之间 ,血清平均TT4水平和TRAb水平相似 ,且TSAb与TSBAb水平变化两组之间无显著性差异。结论　NKT细胞可能不参与Graves’病的发生     

Numerical weight function method for the structural analysis of ships: a speedy direct calculation with condensed structural information

The weight function method was originally derived for crack problems to calculate stress intensity factors for arbitrary loading conditions. In this article, a numerical weight function method has been extended to formulate the structural response analyses of two-dimensional elasticity, plate-bending, and three-dimensional plate-structures by using the finite-element method. The solution procedure is based on the well-known Maxwell–Betti reciprocal theorem, which is applied to the original and properly defined auxiliary problems. The present numerical weight function may be considered as a finite-element version of a Green’s function in an integral equation solution scheme. Although ship structures are certainly analysed by the finite-element method in a practical design procedure, the weight function approach has not yet been realized. The method is very useful for the analysis of structures subjected to a vast range of loading conditions, because structural responses can simply be calculated by the inner product of the universal weight function and load vectors. The validity and convergence characteristics of the present method are investigated by two-dimensional elastic and plate-bending problems, respectively. Finally, the method is applied to the calculation of the response amplitude operator of a stress component at a critical structural detail of a double-hull tanker, and the speed and efficiency of the method are quantitatively discussed based on the practical results.     

Outline of scientific ocean drilling and specifications of riser drilling vessel Chikyu

 The Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC) has been, and is now promoting the “OD21” program (i.e., “Ocean drilling in the 21st century”). This is the first plan in the world to utilize deep-water riser-drilling technologies for scientific drilling. One of the important factors for the success of this program is the development of a high-performance drilling vessel. Since 1990, JAMSTEC has been continuing a technological study of a riser-drilling vessel for scientific studies with an operational capability in waters up to 4000 m deep. It was decided to start the construction with a two-phase plan: a vessel with a riser operation for waters up to 2500 m deep will be constructed in the initial stage, and then the vessel will be modified to a 4000-m depth capability. In the development process of the vessel, named Chikyu, many new technical developments have taken place, such as drilling/coring equipment, a dynamic positioning system, etc. Thus, the Chikyu is expected to contribute to ocean engineering and other work, in addition to scientific advances. Received: June 15, 2002 / Accepted: November 11, 2002 Address correspondence to: Y. Yano (e-mail: yanoy@jamstec.go.jp)