Abstract: A submarine cable power feeding system includes N (N is an integer of 2 or larger) main submarine cables extending from the land in the offshore direction, N-stage (N is an integer of 2 or larger) submarine feed branching devices, and first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or larger) sub submarine cables. Each submarine feed branching device is connected to the main submarine cable to receive constant-voltage power from a constant-voltage feed unit. Each sub submarine cable connects the Nth-stage submarine feed branching device, connected to the Nth main submarine cable, to the adjacent submarine feed branching device through submarine repeaters, thereby receiving power from a constant-current feed unit. Each constant-current feed unit is built in the submarine feed branching device. The submarine feed branching devices and the submarine repeaters are arranged in a matrix on a plane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a core sample collector comprising a cylinder and a piston, wherein the piston is equipped with a sterilizing agent-applying mechanism and a sterilizing agent-scraping member. The piston is composed of a piston body, upper piston rings and lower piston rings, and the sterilizing agent-applying mechanism is preferably made up by holding the sterilizing agent within a space partitioned by the upper piston ring and the lower piston ring. The sterilizing agent is preferably an antimicrobial polymeric gel. A method of taking a core sample, comprising using the core sample collector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A submarine power feeding branching device comprises a constant current-constant current converter which isolates an input side for a trunk submarine cable from an output side for a branch submarine cable. The converter receives a first constant current and produces a second constant current by using the first constant current. The second constant current is supplied to the output side while the first constant current is returned to the input side. Because the input side and the output side are isolated, it is easy to add/remove the device to/from a submarine power feeding system. Intensity of the second constant current can be controlled by controlling duty ratios of switches included in the converter. Thus, it is possible that the intensity of the second constant current is equal to that of the first constant current. Therefore, a submarine repeater can be provided along either the trunk cable or the branch cable.

Abstract: A method of taking a crustal core sample, wherein the crustal core sample is obtained in a state coated with an antimicrobial polymeric gel formed of a polymer obtained by polymerizing an antimicrobial monomer, preferably a quaternary ammonium salt compound. The polymer preferably contains a component derived from the antimicrobial monomer in a proportion of 1 to 10 mol%.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of taking a crustal core sample, wherein the crustal core sample is obtained in a state coated with antimicrobial polymeric gel formed of a polymer and an inorganic antimicrobial agent dispersed in the polymer. It is preferred that the inorganic antimicrobial agent is a compound containing at least one of silver, zinc, copper and ions thereof, the inorganic antimicrobial agent is carried onto a carrier material, the polymer forming the antimicrobial polymeric gel contains a hydrophilic group, and the antimicrobial polymeric gel contains the inorganic antimicrobial agent in a proportion of 0.0001 to 10.0 mass %.

Abstract: A submarine cable power feeding system includes N (N is an integer of 2 or larger) main submarine cables extending from the land in the offshore direction, N-stage (N is an integer of 2 or larger) submarine feed branching devices, and first to Nth (N is an integer of 2 or larger) sub submarine cables. Each submarine feed branching device is connected to the main submarine cable to receive constant-voltage power from a constant-voltage feed unit. Each sub submarine cable connects the Nth-stage submarine feed branching device, connected to the Nth main submarine cable, to the adjacent submarine feed branching device through submarine repeaters, thereby receiving power from a constant-current feed unit. Each constant-current feed unit is built in the submarine feed branching device. The submarine feed branching devices and the submarine repeaters are arranged in a matrix on a plane.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a yeast which is tolerant to copper and which can incorporate copper at a high concentration, and also a method of removing or recovering copper from extracellular solution. The present invention is copper-tolerant yeast and the pectinases produced by the yeast. Particularly, the present invention is copper-tolerant yeast Cryptococcus sp. N6 strain isolated from deep-sea sediments and the pectinases produced by the yeast.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of taking a crustal core sample, wherein the crustal core sample is obtained in a state coated with antimicrobial polymeric gel obtained by polymerizing an antimicrobial monomer. It is preferred that antimicrobial monomer is a quaternary ammonium salt compound, and the polymer contains a component derived from the antimicrobial monomer in a proportion of 1 to 10 mol %.

Abstract: A method for detecting microorganisms present in a sample comprises the steps of: applying a non-lethal hydrostatic pressure to a sample containing microorganisms; and staining the microorganisms with a fluorescent dye. The method permits a significant increase in the uptake of a fluorescent substance by applying, to a sample, a desired non-lethal hydrostatic pressure, without causing any reduction of the survival rate of microorganisms. The method also permits the elimination of such a secondary effect that the subject microorganism undergoes proliferation during staining the same with a fluorescent dye. Thus, the present invention would contribute to the determination of the correct viable count in a wide variety of technical fields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a respiratory gas consumption monitoring method and monitoring device that is portable and has high measurement accuracy, for enabling the analysis and prediction of the respiratory behavior of subjects employing a variety of different types of breathing apparatuses in water, etc.

Abstract: A microorganism belonging to the genus Flavobacterium posessing the capacity to decompose hydrocarbons, tolerance to sulfurous acids, tolerance to salinity, tolerance to organic solvents, and tolerance to pressure. The microorganism is of a strain of the genus Flavobacterium DS-711 (FERM BP-4010). A hydrocarbon emulsifier or solubilizer having as an active component thereof a water soluble and acetone insoluble fraction obtained by culturing DS-711 strain. In addition the emulsifier or solubilizer obtained by culturing the strain DS-711 contains 18.4% protein, 18.8% carbohydrates and 28.6% lipids.

Abstract: An underwater low-frequency sound producer comprises vibrator units each including a magnetostrictive rod formed of a rare-earth alloy, a permanent magnet for providing a magnetic bias to the rod, prestress bolts for prestressing the rod, a coil wound on the rod for causing magnetostriction of the rod corresponding to an input AC signal applied to the coil, and first and second masses on opposite ends of the rod. The vibrator units are arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a polygon or ring centered on an axis. Connection blocks respectively connect the first and second masses of the vibrator units adjacent to each other. Vibration plates are respectively attached to the connection members. Outer and inner cylindrical boots and upper and lower plates define an annular space in which the vibrator units are disposed. The annular space is filled with oil having an acoustic impedance similar to that of the water in which the sound producer is placed for use.

Abstract: A microorganism belonging to the genus Flavobacterium possessing the capacity to decompose hydrocarbons, tolerance to sulfurous acids, tolerance to salinity, tolerance to organic solvents, and tolerance to pressure. The microorganism is a strain of the genus Flavobacterium DS-711 (FERM BP-4010).

Abstract: A measuring system measures temperature distribution in water using an optical fiber. An optical fiber cable suspended from a ship and towed by the ship to form an arch within the water. A measuring device for continuously measuring temperature at various points along the lengths of said optical fiber cable. Sensors are provided within the water to calculate the water depth at each of the various points along the length of the arch shaped optical fiber. Thus, a temperature distribution at each water depth can be continuously measured.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an alloy rod having giant magnetostriction, which comprises the steps of: supplying a granular or flaky alloy material, which comprises at least two rare earth metals including terbium and dysprosium and at least one transition metal, into a tubular crucible in an inert gas atmosphere kept under a pressure of from 0.2 to 10 atm., arranged in a vertical cylindrical heating furnace; totally melting the alloy material in the crucible in the heating furnace; and then vertically moving any one of the crucible and the heating furnace at a speed of from 0.1 to 5.0 mm/minute in a temperature region of from 1,270.degree. to 1,180.degree. C. of the heating furnace, in which a temperature decreases at a temperature gradient of from 10.degree. to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an alloy rod having giant magnetostriction, which comprises the steps of: supplying a rod-shaped alloy material, comprising at least two rare earth metals including terbium and dysprosium and at least one transition metal, into a crucible moving downwardly at a speed of from 0.2 to 8.5 mm/minute in an inert gas atmosphere kept under a pressure of from 0.2 to 10 atm.; heating the rod-shaped alloy material in the circumferential direction thereof in the crucible by means of an annular high-frequency heating coil having a frequency of from 0.1 to 3 MHz and having an inside diameter of from 1.1 to 1.

Abstract: A semisubmersible system for collecting a desired material from the sea water includes a submersible collection chamber which is defined by a pair of non-porous, buoyant side walls, a pair of non-porous end walls, a porous top wall and a porous bottom wall. A quantity of collecting agent is contained in the collection chamber. The buoyancy force applied to the present system by the pair of buoyant side walls is so set to keep the collection chamber substantially at a predetermined depth from the sea surface, so that the sea water is permitted to move into and out of the collection chamber due to wave motion while keeping the collection chamber virtually stationary in the vertical direction. There is obtained a large relative motion between the sea water and the collection chamber so that a large quantity of sea water is brought into contact with the collecting agent, thereby allowing a useful material contained in the sea water to be collected by the collecting agent by adsorption or absorption.

Abstract: The present invention enables tomography data in the sea to be collected and transmitted via an artificial satellite to a ground station. Accordingly, data on the Doppler phenomenon and shift of a sound wave is also obtainable based on the temperature and density of sea water and an ocean current. This makes it possible to obtain information about a wide sea area, such as the relationship between the KUROSHIO and the El nino which is now attracting attention in relation to fishery, agriculture and abnormal weather. Hence, the present invention will be of wide application.

Abstract: An underwater hydraulic tool has a hydraulic motor with an inlet port and an outlet port for receiving and discharging water under pressure and a rotating shaft rotated by water under pressure with the front end protruding from said motor for holding a working tool. A rear mounting member is attached to a rear part of the hydraulic motor and has openings spaced circumferentially therearound. A front mounting member is attached to a front part of the hydraulic motor and also openings spaced circumferentially therearound. At least portions of the openings in both members are located outwards of the outer circumferential wall of the hydraulic motor.