Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism was characterized in a triploid form of Fasciola found in Japan in comparison with F. hepatica, F. gigantica and Korean Fasciola worm. Seventy worms of Fasciola from Japan, three of F. hepatica from Uruguay and Australia, two of F. gigantica from Thailand and one of Fasciola from Korea were used in the study. Mitochondrial DNA polymorphism was detected by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using eight restriction enzymes, BamH I, Bgl II, Dra I, EcoR I, EcoR V, Hind III, Mfl I and Sca I. Three different types (types 1, 2 and 3) were detected from 76 Fasciola worms used in the study. Eight of 70 Japanese worms were categorized in type 2 (F. gigantica type), and the remaining 62 were in type 3 (F. hepatica type).

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses worldwide and a leading cause of disability, especially in the setting of treatment resistance. In recent years, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a promising alternative strategy for treatment-resistant depression and its clinical efficacy has been investigated intensively across the world. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms of the antidepressant effect of rTMS are still not fully understood. This review aims to systematically synthesize the literature on the neurobiological mechanisms of treatment response to rTMS in patients with depression. Medline (1996–2014), Embase (1980–2014) and PsycINFO (1806–2014) were searched under set terms. Three authors reviewed each article and came to consensus on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. All eligible studies were reviewed, duplicates were removed, and data were extracted individually. Of 1647 articles identified, 66 studies met both inclusion and exclusion criteria. rTMS affects various biological factors that can be measured by current biological techniques. Although a number of studies have explored the neurobiological mechanisms of rTMS, a large variety of rTMS protocols and parameters limits the ability to synthesize these findings into a coherent understanding. However, a convergence of findings suggest that rTMS exerts its therapeutic effects by altering levels of various neurochemicals, electrophysiology as well as blood flow and activity in the brain in a frequency-dependent manner. More research is needed to delineate the neurobiological mechanisms of the antidepressant effect of rTMS. The incorporation of biological assessments into future rTMS clinical trials will help in this regard.

We examined 20 300 raw shell chicken eggs sold at retail stores in Japan for Salmonella outside and inside eggs. The eggs were purchased at 220 retail stores throughout Japan between August 2007 and January 2008. Of 2030 pooled egg samples (10 eggs/sample), Salmonella was isolated from five shell samples (0·25%), but not from any of egg-content samples. The serovars of the isolates were Salmonella Enteritidis (2), S. Derby, S. Livingstone and S. Cerro. The samples positive for Salmonella originated from five different egg grading and packaging (GP) centres. All the GP centres washed their egg shells according to government guidelines for hygienic practice in GP centres. Thus, practical control measures at GP centres need to be reviewed and implemented to diminish Salmonella prevalence of egg shells because Salmonella contamination on eggs is a potential hazard for foodborne salmonellosis in Japan.

A heavy ion fusion (HIF) system, named HIBLIC (Heavy Ion Beam and LIthium Curtain) is conceptually designed. The driver system consists of RF linacs (RFQ linacs, IH linacs and Alvarez linacs), storage rings (one accumulator ring and three buncher rings) and beam transport lines with induction beam compressors. This accelerator complex provides 6 beams of 15 GeV208Pb1+ ions to be focused simultaneously on a target. Each beam carries 1·78 kA current with 25 ns pulse duration, i.e., the total incident energy on the target is 4 MJ, 160 TW per shot. Superconducting coils are used in most parts of the magnet system to reduce power consumption.

The Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) is a microlensing survey conducted at Mt. John Observatory in New Zealand. We searched transiting planet candidates from the MOA-I Galactic bulge data, which have been obtained with a 61cm B&C telescope from 2000 to 2005 for a microlensing search. Although this survey data were dedicated to microlensing, they are also quite useful for searching transiting objects because of the large number of stars monitored (~7 million) and the long span of the survey (~6 years). From our analysis, we found 58 transiting planet candidates. We are planning to follow up these candidates with high-precision spectroscopic and photometric observations for further selection, toward the detection of planets by radial velocity observations.

Laser annealed junctions and advanced ultra shallow junctions are studied in both atomistic modeling and experiments. SIMS and sheet resistance measurement for spike-RTA + Laser annealing show that additional laser annealing after spike-RTA (“+Laser”) improve the dopant activation level without increasing in junction depth. “+Laser” effect become effective in the combination of low spike-RTA temperature and high laser temperature. This effect is significant for As doped layer. Spike-RTA based junction has a limitation in viewpoint of Rs-Xj trade-off. Laser-only annealing is promising candidate to overcome this limitation. Boron diffusion with laser-only annealing is investigated. As atomistic kinetic Monte Carlo modeling show that BnIm complexes and End-of-Range (EOR) defects are formed during sub-millisecond annealing time range. Impact of F co-implant on Boron diffusion and EOR defect evolution during sub-millisecond annealing are also investigated.

The light curves for three eclipsing binaries in the Magellanic Clouds have been obtained using CCD uVJIC photometry. One target in the LMC, MACHO*05:36:48.7−69:17:00, is an eccentric system, e = 0.20, with a period of 3.853534 ± 0.000005 d. Initial solutions indicate a primary component in the range T eff,1 = 20,000−35,000K and the secondary T eff,2 1000−2000K cooler than the primary, with inclinations ranging i = 84.2° − 86.0°. Two targets in the SMC, MOA J005018.4-723855 and MOA J005623.5−722123, have periods of 1.8399±0.0004 and 2.3199 ± 0.0003 days respectively. Both have circular orbits with the former being a semi-detached system.

More than 4000 stars observed in both MOA and DENIS projects showing periodic or quasi-periodic light curves are studied. Almost all Mira stars are located on the classical period-luminosity relation, and the multiplicity of the period-luminosity relation is confirmed for small-amplitude stars. The colour-magnitude diagrams based on the MOA red band, Rm , and Ks constructed for the sequences, form a single strip with small successive shifts.

We studied 147 long-period red variable stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud from the MOA database. Amongst them, seven red luminous stars are likely pulsating in a higher mode.

A review of the MOA (Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics) project is presented. MOA is a collaboration of approximately 30 astronomers from New Zealand and Japan established with the aim of finding and detecting microlensing events towards the Magellanic Clouds and the Galactic bulge, which may be indicative of either dark matter or of planetary companions. The observing program commenced in 1995, using very wide band blue and red filters and a nine-chip mosaic CCD camera.

As a by-product of these observations a large database of CCD photometry for 1.4 million stars towards both LMC and SMC has been established. In one preliminary analysis 576 bright variable stars were confirmed, nearly half of them being Cepheids. Another analysis has identified large numbers of blue variables, and 205 eclipsing binaries are included in this sample. In addition 351 red variables (AGB stars) have been found. Light curves have been obtained for all these stars. The observations are carried out on a 61-cm f/6.25 telescope at Mt John University Observatory where a new larger CCD camera was installed in 1998 July. From this latitude (44° S) the Magellanic Clouds can be monitored throughout the year.

The red variables whose amplitude is larger than 1.3 mag in the MOA database are studied for the LMC. Among 3 196 such stars, 532 stars are likely to be Miras or red semiregular variables. The period–colour relation of these stars is shown.

A large database of CCD photometry for 1.4 million stars towards both the LMC and the SMC, which has been established by the MOA project, is a useful resource to study variable stars. In our preliminary study, variables identified as β Lyrae type stars and Herbig Ae/Be stars have been found amongst blue stars.

Two barnacle species (Semibalanus cariosus and Chthamalus challengeri) were studied during two years at Hokkaido, northern Japan, to find the interspecies boundary and to determine whether interspecific competition (interference and pre-emption) is important in maintaining the zonation in our study system. Both barnacle species showed tide level dependent distribution patterns in the boundary zone. Semibalanus cariosus was dominant at lower levels; this pattern was determined by post-recruitment mortality. This mortality pattern seemed to be set by physical stress because recruitment density and survival rate were not correlated with the cover of other species, and mortality was higher in higher zones where physical stress is more severe. Chthamalus challengeri was dominant at higher levels; this pattern was determined by recruitment. The recruitment density and survival rate of this species were not affected by the covers of other species, thus, neither interference nor pre-emption significantly affected the distribution pattern. Interspecific competition appears to be less important in organizing barnacle communities in our study area than in previously studied areas, however, the recruitment process is of major importance.

Pure copper and Fe-15Cr-2ONi alloy were irradiated at 500°C by 5 MeV Ni ions (single beam), Ni ions plus gas atoms (H and He) (dual beam irradiation) or triple beam of Ni, He and H ions (triple beam irradiation) simultaneously. Irradiation was carried out with accelerators TIARA at Takasaki-establishment of JAERI. Thin specimens were prepared with the combined technique of FIB (Focus Ion Beam) and electro-polishing. Damage structure versus the depth from surface was examined by TEM. In Fe-15Cr-20Ni alloy, voids were formed in the range of Ni ion irradiated specimens. In Fe-Cr-Ni alloy which is irradiated by a dual beam of Ni ion and He ion, the number density of voids increased significantly at the stopping range of He atoms. Remarkable results are void formation in specimens irradiated with dual beam of Ni and H ions, only voids of very small size were observed through the range of specimen. In irradiated specimen with triple beam, the size of voids was suppressed to be smaller than that of irradiated specimens with Ni and He ions. In pure copper which is irradiated with dual beam of helium and Ni ions, number density of voids were increased significantly. While in copper irradiated with hydrogen and Ni ions, number density of voids were not so large. Experimental results show that helium atoms have strong effect for void formation, while hydrogen atoms suppress void formation because the remarkable degradation of movement of small vacancy clusters can be induced by trapping hydrogen atoms.

We have performed molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film growth using realistic many-body semiclassical potentials developed to describe Si-H interactions. In our MD model, it was assumed that SiH3, SiH2 and the H radicals are main precursors for the thin-film growth. In MD simulations of a-Si:H thin-film growth by many significant precursor SiH3 radicals, we have evaluated average radical migration distances, defect ratios, hydrogen contents, and film growth rates as a function of different incident radical energies to know the effect of the radical energization on the properties. As a result of the comparison between the numerical and experimental results, it was observed that the agreement is fairly good, and that an increase of radical migration distance due to the radical energization is effective on a- Si:H thin-film growth with a low defect.

Schottky characteristics of electrical contacts to complex heterostructures consisting of intermediate semiconductor layers with various thicknesses and underlying bulk layers have been studied. For Au/InAlAs/InP structures, I-V characteristics with thin InAlAs layers are found to be similar to those of a MIS tunneling diode, while those with thick InAlAs layers are found to be close to that of Au/InAlAs. For Au/InP/InAlAs structures, a substantial current barrier are found to be formed not at Au/InP but at InP/InAlAs heterojunction. Schottky barrier height in the case of strained intermediate layers of In1-xGaxP is also discussed.

Of 104 cases, 38 (ie, 36.53%) experienced premature delivery (controls: 4.32%). In instances of threatened premature delivery, 28 cases (26.92%) underwent ligation of the cervix. EPH gestosis occurred in 62 cases - a high incidence rate of 59.61% (controls: 12.9%). Forty-nine cases (47.11%) were complicated by anemia (controls: 8.36%). There were 57 cases of SFD infants, again a high 27.40% incidence rate (controls: 5.94%). Apgar scores of 7 or less at 1 minute after birth indicated that of the 208 neonates, the second-born twin only in 20 cases (9.61%); both infants in 14 cases (6.73%); and, the first-born only in 3 cases (1.44%), developed asphyxia neonatorum. Given the high incidence of premature and immature infants in cases of twins, caution should be employed against threatened premature delivery from around the 28th week of gestation onwards. Ligation of the cervix with ritodrine administration should be performed following admission to hospital, and EPH gestosis, anemia and IUGR should be carefully monitored.

Elastic and inelastic neutron-scattering and high-resolution electron-microscopy examinations of the β2 (B2) phase of NixAl(100-x) alloys show a direct relationship between the anomalous changes in lattice dynamical behavior and the evolution of static premartensitic structural configurations as the β2 cools toward its martensitic transformation temperature, Ms . The resulting microstructure is a fine-scale mosaic assembly of nonuniformly distorted and modulated domains, in which {110}<110> shear-plus-shuffle displacements give rise to the {110}B2 micromodulations of ∼1.3 nm wavelength. These displacements are derived from the unusually low energy of the Σ4<ζζ0>–TA2 phonon mode and its anomalous temperaturedependent incomplete softening at ζ = 0 (viz., the elastic constant C) and at ζ ≈ 0.16. These inhomogeneously strained domains (ISDs) are believed to be centered on low strain-amplitude defects. They are viewed as strain embryos of the product 7M(5, 2) martensite but are generally too weak to act as potent nucleation centers. Similar ISD configurations develop at defects with higher strain amplitudes (e.g., dislocations, grain boundaries) and these are the most likely sites for heterogeneous nucleation to occur.

Vertical sections of multilayers (VSM) should provide excellent testing grounds for physics and chemistry on surfaces with densely populated heterogeneous interfaces. Although VSM can be obtained from usual horizontal multilayers stacks by crushing them into pieces or by partial ion etching through masks from the top surfaces, a better way to get VSM is to form vertical multilayers. Employing simultaneous oblique deposition of ZnTe and SiO2 from opposite azimuthal directions, we have obtained nanometer-scale heterogeneous structures with anisotropie optical properties for the light coming perpendicularly to the surface. TEM revealed that successive annealing caused relaxation and recrystalllzation of ZnTe in the framework of SiO2 porous nano-structure. The resultant mosaic image of dark ZnTe regions and bright Sio2 regions of 5–10 nm wide and 30nm (or more) long told the development of VSM over the substrate although the perfect periodicity and two-dimensionality were missing. The structural modification of these quasi-multilayers was studied making reference to the similar but horizontal system of ZnTe particles periodically buried between Sio2 isolation layers.