We present observations of the Mopra carbon monoxide (CO) survey of the Southern Galactic Plane, covering Galactic longitudes spanning $l = 250^{\circ}$ ($-110^{\circ}$) to $l = 355^{\circ}$ ($-5^{\circ}$), with a latitudinal coverage of at least $|b|<1^\circ$, totalling an area of $>$210 deg$^{2}$. These data have been taken at 0.6 arcmin spatial resolution and 0.1 km s$^{-1}$ spectral resolution, providing an unprecedented view of the molecular gas clouds of the Southern Galactic Plane in the 109–115 GHz $J = 1-0$ transitions of $^{12}$CO, $^{13}$CO, C$^{18}$O, and C$^{17}$O.

Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis is associated with high morbidity and mortality in the absence of clinical management, making identification of these cases crucial. We examined characteristics of HIV and viral hepatitis coinfections by using surveillance data from 15 US states and two cities. Each jurisdiction used an automated deterministic matching method to link surveillance data for persons with reported acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, to persons reported with HIV infection. Of the 504 398 persons living with diagnosed HIV infection at the end of 2014, 2.0% were coinfected with HBV and 6.7% were coinfected with HCV. Of the 269 884 persons ever reported with HBV, 5.2% were reported with HIV. Of the 1 093 050 persons ever reported with HCV, 4.3% were reported with HIV. A greater proportion of persons coinfected with HIV and HBV were males and blacks/African Americans, compared with those with HIV monoinfection. Persons who inject drugs represented a greater proportion of those coinfected with HIV and HCV, compared with those with HIV monoinfection. Matching HIV and viral hepatitis surveillance data highlights epidemiological characteristics of persons coinfected and can be used to routinely monitor health status and guide state and national public health interventions.

Insufficient nutrition during the perinatal period causes structural alterations in humans and experimental animals, leading to increased vulnerability to diseases in later life. Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica, in which partial (8–10%) egg white was withdrawn (EwW) from eggs before incubation had lower birth weights than controls (CTs). EwW birds also had reduced hatching rates, smaller glomeruli and lower embryo weight. In EwW embryos, the surface condensate area containing mesenchymal cells was larger, suggesting that delayed but active nephrogenesis takes place. In mature EwW quail, the number of glomeruli in the cortical region (mm2) was significantly lower (CT 34.7±1.4, EwW 21.0±1.2); capillary loops showed focal ballooning, and mesangial areas were distinctly expanded. Immunoreactive cell junction proteins, N-cadherin and podocin, and slit diaphragms were clearly seen. With aging, the mesangial area and glomerular size continued to increase and were significantly larger in EwW quail, suggesting compensatory hypertrophy. Furthermore, apoptosis measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling analysis was higher in EwWs than in CTs on embryonic day 15 and postnatal day 4 (D4). Similarly, plasma glucocorticoid (corticosterone) was higher (P<0.01) on D4 in EwW quail. These results suggest that although nephrogenic activity is high in low-nutrition quail during the perinatal period, delayed development and increased apoptosis may result in a lower number of mature nephrons. Damaged or incompletely mature mesangium may trigger glomerular injury, leading in later life to nephrosclerosis. The present study shows that birds serve as a model for ‘fetal programming,’ which appears to have evolved phylogenetically early.

The transport of relativistic electron beam in compressed cylindrical targets was studied from a numerical and experimental point of view. In the experiment, cylindrical targets were imploded using the Gekko XII laser facility of the Institute of Laser Engineering. Then the fast electron beam was created by shooting the LFEX laser beam. The penetration of fast electrons was studied by observing Kα emission from tracer layers in the target.

The objective of this study was to examine temporal and regional variations of sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) in a retrospective study using Japanese national surveillance data from 2001 to 2010. We calculated the incidence of sCJD by age and sex, derived the standardized incidence in each of the 47 prefectures, and performed spatial disease clustering analysis. The average annual incidence of sCJD was 1·026 per million in men (637 patients) and 1·132 per million in women (733 patients), a significant sex difference after adjustment for age (P = 0·001). The ratios of familial CJD to sCJD apparently increased between 2001–2005 and 2006–2010, possibly as a result of the nationwide introduction of genetic testing after 2006. Based on the data of 2006–2010, certain geographical clusters of sCJD were identified. The incidence of sCJD was higher in several specific prefectures compared to the national average. Thus, sCJD appears to have regional variations, suggesting the existence of genetic or region-specific factors affecting the incidence of the disease.

A seroprevalence survey on measles, mumps, rubella and varicella was conducted on healthcare workers (HCWs) at Shimane University Hospital, Japan utilizing an enzyme immunoassay. Of 1811 HCWs tested, 91·8% were seropositive to measles, 92·1% to mumps, 89·5% to rubella and 96·3% to varicella. Sex-related differences in seroprevalence were found in rubella (males vs. females: 84·7 vs. 92·2%, P < 0·001). Moreover, males aged 30–39 years were most susceptible to rubella (22·4%), which may be attributed to the design of childhood immunization programmes in Japan. Individuals aged ⩽29 years were more susceptible to measles (14·3%) and mumps (10·9%), compared to other age groups. There were no significant sex- and age-related differences in varicella seroprevalence. The physician occupational group was more susceptible to rubella, but no significant occupational-related difference was observed in the other diseases. Susceptible subjects, with negative or equivocal serological results were given a vaccine which induced seroconversion in most vaccinees. Seroconversion occurred more frequently in the equivocal group than in the negative group. These findings provide a new insight for the seroprevalence survey of vaccine-preventable diseases in Japanese HCWs with special reference to vaccine efficacy.

Monitor of All-sky X-ray Image (MAXI) on board International Space Station is capable of observing gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and sending notices of GRBs or other transient events, using real time connection to the ground. MAXI observed 32 GRBs or short X-ray transients as of the end of September 2012. Among them, eleven events were simultaneously detected by other satellites. The observed rate of the MAXI GRBs is about one event per month. This rate is comparable to a past observation with larger effective area and larger field of view. The fact indicates that MAXI has better sensitivity to observe GRBs because of low background. The distribution of the spectral hardness of MAXI GRBs is similar to the results of a past instrument, which is sensitive to similar energy range.

NEWAGE is a direction-sensitive dark matter search experiment with a gaseous time-projection chamber. We improved the direction-sensitive dark matter limits by our underground measurement. In this paper, R&D activities sinse the first underground measurement are described.

Eight strains of influenza C virus isolated in various areas of Japan between January 1985 and January 1989 were compared using monoclonal antibodies to the haemagglutinin-esterase (HE) glycoproteins and by oligonucleotide mapping of total vRNA. Five of six strains isolated during 1986–9 were closely related to one another and also resembled the virus, C/Aichi/1/81, isolated in 1981 in Aichi prefecture. This suggests that the C/Aichi/l/81-related viruses had an epidemiological advantage over any co-circulating viruses at least during that period. One of two 1985 isolates (C/Nara/1/85) was antigenically indistinguishable from the C/Mississippi/1/80 strain though their oligonucleotide patterns were markedly different from each other. This raises the possibility that C/Nara/1/85 may be a recombinant virus which receives its HE gene from the C/Mississippi/l/80-related parent.

Directional information should play a significant role for a firm detection of the galactic dark matter. We developed a prototype three-dimensional gaseous tracking device for a direction-sensitive dark matter direct detection. We investigated the performance of the prototype detector and demonstrated a direction-sensitive dark matter search experiment in a surface laboratory. We set the first limit on the spin-dependent WIMP (Weakly Interacting Massive Particles)-proton cross s ection by a direction-sensitive method.

We analyze a main scheme for the suppression of GeO desorption by the high pressure oxidation which drastically improve the electrical quality of Ge/GeO2 capacitors. The inherent driving force for GeO to form at the Ge/GeO2 interface and to diffuse toward the GeO2 surface was realized by the concentration gradient in the GeO2 film, which was obtained from the thermodynamic calculation. Kinetic consideration based on the comparison with Si/SiO2 stacks suggests that GeO desorption at the GeO2 surface is the rate-limiting process under passive oxidation conditions. When O2 pressure is increased by high pressure oxidation, the vapor pressure of GeO at the GeO2 surface is reduced, restricting GeO desorption at the GeO2 surface.

Composite film of carbon nanotube (CNT) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was formed with despersion fluid of CNT and PTFE. The film showed high electrical conductivity in the range of 5-13S/cm. This conductive film was applied on the stainless steel bipolar plate for the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) as anticorrosion film. This coating decreased the contact resistance between the surface of bipolar plate and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of the PEMFC. Therefore, the output power of the fuel cell was increased by 1.6 times.

This paper deals with a lithium/tin combined target to increase the conversion efficiency of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) of 13.5 nm emission from laser-produced plasma. The bilayer target of glass/lithium (20 nm)/tin (50 nm) exhibits a sharp and strong emission in comparison with a Sn bulk target. The reverse coating of glass/tin/lithium was unstable and EUV could not be observed. By using nano-porous SnO2 and an electrochemical deposition of lithium, nano-structured lithium/tin composite was prepared, and was stable without deliquescence of lithium.

We present a series of experimental results, and their interpretation, connected to various aspects of the hydrodynamics of laser produced plasmas. Experiments were performed using the Prague PALS iodine laser working at 0.44 μm wavelength and irradiances up to a few 1014 W/cm2. By adopting large focal spots and smoothed laser beams, the lateral energy transport and lateral expansion have been avoided. Therefore we could reach a quasi one-dimensional regime for which experimental results can be more easily and properly compared to available analytical models.

Between October 1999 and May 2000, a total of 28 strains of influenza C virus were isolated in four Japanese prefectures: Yamagata, Miyagi, Saitama and Hiroshima. Antigenic analysis showed that the 28 isolates were divided into three distinct antigenic groups, and viruses belonging to different antigenic groups were co-circulating in each of the four prefectures. Phylogenetic analysis of the seven protein genes demonstrated that the viruses having a similar genome composition spread in various areas of Japan during the same period. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis showed that most of the influenza C viruses isolated in various areas of the world between the 1970s and 1980s were closely related to the contemporary Japanese viruses in all gene segments. These observations suggest that the influenza C viruses cause epidemics in some communities during the same season and that antigenically and genetically similar influenza C viruses spread throughout Japan and may be circulating worldwide.

In this paper the results of our recent studies of the magnetization-induced nonlinear optical second-order and third-order effects in magnetophotonic crystals and magnetophotonic microcavities are surveyed.

Nonlinear magneto-optical Kerr effect (NOMOKE) both in magnetization-induced second-harmonic generation (MSHG) and magnetization-induced third-harmonic generation (MTHG) is observed in garnet MMC at wavelengths of the resonant microcavity modes. Magnetization-induced variations of MSHG and MTHG intensity as well as magnetization-induced shift of phase and rotation of polarization of second-harmonic and third-harmonic waves are observed in proper - transversal, longitudinal or polar - NOMOKE configurations.

Nonlinear magneto-optical Kerr effect in MSHG intensity is observed in garnet magnetophotonic crystals in the spectral range of photonic band gap (PBG) edges of MPC.The MSHG intensity reveals enhancement by a factor of more than 102 if the fundamental wavelength is tuned in the vicinity of the PBG edge. This enhancement is attributed to the fulfilment of the phase matching conditions for MSHG effect in layered structures with periodic modulation of both optical (magneto-optical) and nonlinear optical parameters.

The fabrication of one-dimensional magnetophotonic crystals (MPC) composed from Bi-substituted yttrium-iron-garnet films separated by the silicon oxide layers is presented. The enhancement of the Faraday rotation angle is observed at the spectral regions of the photonic band gap edges. The effective Faraday rotation achieves the values up to 1.5 degrees per micron at 1100-nm-wavelength.

We have fabricated three-dimensional magnetophotonic (3D MPCs) crystals based on artificial opals. Structural and magnetic properties of 3D MPCs were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, and vibrating sample magnetometer. It was shown that increase of volume fraction of magnetite in the opal lattice leads to a dramatic decrease of transmitted light intensity in the visible region. We also found considerable changes in the Faraday rotation inside the (111) photonic bandgap of an opal—magnetite magnetophotonic crystal.

A new synthesis methodology is utilized to prepare ZnO nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution between 2 to 4 nm. The particle growth is found to be reaction time dependent. The dry powders of ZnO nanoparticles show a strong blue-shifted near-band-edge ultraviolet emission, and the size and size distribution of the particles did not exhibit noticeable change during solvent evaporation. Raman spectra show ZnO E22 (TO) phonon mode and other vibration modes that are attributed to the bound acetate group. The CO stretching mode in the Raman spectra is red-shifted to 1401 cm-1, indicating a strong adsorption of the acetate ligands onto ZnO surfaces.

The aims of this descriptive study were to confirm the high incidence of subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) previously reported from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and to relate SSPE to previous measles vaccination and measles illness. From February 1997 to April 1999 we diagnosed a total of 55 patients with SSPE at Goroka Base General Hospital in Eastern Highlands Province (EHP) of PNG. The diagnosis was based on high cerebrospinal fluid and serum measles virus antibody titres with progressive neurological disorder and myoclonic jerks. Of these 55 patients 42 were from EHP, including 32 whose onset was in the 2-year period 1997–1998. The annual incidence of SSPE in EHP in these 2 years was 98 per million population under 20 years of age, the highest ever reported. This incidence was more than ten times higher than the highest incidence in the prevaccine era reported from elsewhere. The mean age of onset of SSPE was 7·7 years (range 2·8–14·8 years) and the interval between measles and the onset of SSPE, where known, had a mean of 5·9 years and a range of 2·5–11·1 years. Among the SSPE patients 19 had a documented history of measles vaccination. Eight of these 19 also had documentation of previous measles illness; of these, seven were vaccinated after the development of measles and one was vaccinated 20 days before measles illness. Two non-SSPE children received vaccination twice which was documented and subsequently developed measles which was also substantiated by documentation. Two patients with SSPE yielded amplified nucleotide sequences of measles virus that were different from any of the vaccine strains. We found no evidence to implicate measles vaccination in the development of SSPE.