The taxonomy of ruminant Trypanosoma theileri and its relatives (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) is controversial, with recent phylogenetic studies segregating T. theileri in cattle and other ruminants worldwide into two major genetic lineages (the TthI and TthII clades) based on genetic markers. In the present study, T. theileri-like trypanosomes isolated from Honshu sika deer (Cervus nippon) in the western Japan (YMG isolate) were genetically characterized using a number of genetic markers. Sika deer trypanosomes of the YMG isolate were genetically different from the Trypanosoma sp. TSD1 isolate previously recorded from Hokkaido sika deer in northern Japan, with the former trypanosome isolate being genetically closer to European cervid trypanosomes and the bovine T. theileri TthII lineage. In contrast, the latter isolate exhibited greater relatedness to North American cervid trypanosomes and the bovine T. theileri TthI lineage, although a clear genetic distinction between these was apparent. Furthermore, trypanosomes in Honshu sika deer from the central part of Japan harboured additional genetic diversity and were closer to either TSD1 or YMG isolates, while distinct from known T. theileri-related genotypes. Importantly, cervids and wild ruminants worldwide might harbour divergent descendants of a T. theileri ancestor, which exhibit rigid host specificity to either bovines or cervid species.

An alternative approach for transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect is necessary in patients with absent inferior caval vein connection. In this report, we describe the successful transcatheter atrial septal defect closure via the transjugular approach using a steerable guide catheter.

A large eddy simulation (LES) is used to estimate a reliable horizontal turbulent diffusion coefficient, $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}K_{{h}}$, in a convective mixed layer (CML). The introduction of a passive scalar field with a fixed horizontal gradient at a given time enables $K_{{h}}$ estimation as a function of height, based on the simulated turbulent horizontal scalar flux. Here $K_{{h}}$ is found to be of the order of $100\ {\mathrm{m}}^2\ {\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ for a typical terrestrial atmospheric CML. It is shown to scale by the product of the CML convective velocity, $w_{*}$, and its depth, $h$. Here $K_{{h}}$ is characterized by a vertical profile in the CML: it is large near both the bottom and top of the CML, where horizontal flows associated with convection are large. The equation pertaining to the temporal rate of change of a horizontal scalar flux suggests that $K_{{h}}$ is determined by a balance between production and pressure correlation at a fully developed stage. Pressure correlation near the bottom of the CML is localized in convergence zones near the boundaries of convective cells and becomes large within an eddy turnover time, $h/w_{*}$, after the introduction of the passive scalar field.

Partial sequences of the DNA polymerase delta (pold) gene from Taenia saginata-like adult worms were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that pold gene sequences were clearly divided into two clades, differing from each other in five to seven nucleotides. There is little doubt that T. saginata and Taenia asiatica were once separated into two distinct taxa as has been concluded in previous studies. On the other hand, most of the adult worms, which were identified as T. asiatica using mitochondrial DNA, were homozygous for an allele that originated from the allele of T. saginata via single nucleotide substitution. These results indicate that most of the adult worms, which had been called T. asiatica, are not actually ‘pure T. asiatica’ but instead originated from the hybridization of ‘pure T. saginata’ and ‘pure T. asiatica’.

In general, twins have delayed language development early in childhood compared with singletons. The purpose of this study was to clarify the overall linguistic features of twins. A Japanese version of the Illinois Test of Psycholinguistic Abilities (ITPA) was administered in 24 twin pairs (aged 3 to 4 years) at their own homes. The overall language abilities of the twins were in the normal range (based on ITPA normative data: mean scale score 36.0 ± 6.0 points), and for the ITPA subtests only, Auditory Reception fell within the range of language disorder (mean scale score 24.9 ± 5.1 points). The findings suggest that in 3- to 4-year-old Japanese twins, overall language abilities are not delayed. However, there may be specific difficulties with auditory reception skills.

We studied the correlation between shear-induced crystallization and rheological behavior of syndiotactic polystyrene. It was found that after applying a steady shear flow around the nominal melting temperature (Tm = 270 °C), crystal growth rate was accelerated compared with the quiescent state and a morphology of oriented lamellae (kebabs) was observed. On the other hand, no obvious morphological change was observed when applying a shear flow with relatively slow shear rate. We discussed a possibility that the difference of crystal growth rate and morphology could be attributed to the competition between shear rate and relaxation time such as reptation time. Our rheological results suggested that when the imposed shear rate is close to the reciprocal of reptation time, oriented lamellae (kebabs) are observed but extended-chain crystals (shishs) cannot be formed since the chain segments between adjacent entanglements remain unstretched.

We report the presence and effects of parasitoid larvae (Hymenoptera) in the carabid beetle Poecilus versicolor (Sturm). Dissection of one female and one male live host found 33 and 25 hymenopteran larvae, respectively. Although eggs were absent in the female host, likely because of consumption by parasitoids, distinct corpora lutea (present in parous females) were observed. In the male host, reproductive organs were undamaged. These observations suggest incomplete “parasitic castration” of the host beetle by the parasitoids. Parasitism rates in specimens from three localities were markedly low (0%–3.2%). At one locality, only one male and three female beetles containing parasitoids were found; those individuals each contained 9–27 larvae (mean 19.3). These results suggest that hymenopterous parasitoids in adult P. versicolor have little effect on the population dynamics of this beetle. The parasitoid larvae included two morphological types belonging to at least two taxa. Mitochondrial DNA analyses suggested that one of the types represented two species of Microctonus Wesmael (Braconidae: Euphorinae). The result of the genus-level identification, however, requires confirmation because the analyzed data set did not cover all braconid genera.

We report the kinetic analysis of radicals on fungal spores of Penicillium digitatum interacted with charged-neutral oxygen species (O*) generated plasma discharge using real time in situ electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. The ESR signal from the spores was observed at a g-value of around 2.004 with a line width of approximately 5G. We have successfully obtained information regarding the reaction mechanism with free radicals and realtime in situ ESR has proven to be a useful method to elucidate plasma-induced surface reactions on biological specimens

The set of non-constant holomorphic mappings between two given compact Riemann surfaces of genus greater than 1 is always finite. This classical statement was made by de Franchis. Furthermore, bounds on the cardinality of the set depending only on the genera of the surfaces have been obtained by a number of mathematicians. The analysis is carried over in this paper to the case of Riemann surfaces of finite analytic type (i.e. compact Riemann surfaces minus a finite set of points) so that the finiteness result, together with a crude but explicit bound depending only on the topological data, may be extended for the number of holomorphic mappings between such surfaces.

A new robot system has been introduced which was designed to seal the seams of car body panels. The system has nine degrees of freedom, and includes the following features: (1) A seam tracking servo using a solid-state TV camera is mounted at the robot hand to compensate for the seam deviations. (2) The robot arm is equipped with a flexible mechanism at the wrist to provide a wide working range for the seal nozzle. (3) A two axis orthogonal robot carrier is provided to make the robot follow the work on an indexed conveyor during the sealing operation. This paper deals with the structure and operation of the system and presents test results obtained on a sealing line.

There are only finitely many non-constant holomorphic mappings between two fixed compact Riemann surfaces of genus greater than 1. This result goes under the name of the de Franchis theorem. Having seen that the set of such holomorphic mappings is finite, we naturally want to obtain a bound on its cardinality. It has been known for some time that there exist various bounds depending only on the genera of the surfaces. Here we obtain ‘better’ bounds of the above type, using arguments based on the rigidity of holomorphic mappings and the hyperbolic geometry of surfaces.

We describe three children with chronic renal failure who developed mitral obstructive disease over a period when maintained on hemodialysis. The development and progression of the mitral disease was documented by cardiac catheterization in one child and by Doppler echocardiography in the other two children. These three patients had the lowest body weight among the 16 children undergoing chronic dialysis who were examined cardiologically in our hospital. Autopsy in one child who died from heart failure revealed marked thickening of the leaflets and subvalvar apparatus of the mitral valve with severe obliteration of the intercordal spaces. We found no sign of calcification at the mitral annulus nor at the attachments of the leaflets of the aortic valve, and no Ashoff bodies. We attempted percutaneous catheter balloon valvoplasty in one child which permitted successful renal transplantation after failure of an initial transplantation because of severe pulmonary venous congestion. We conclude that mitral obstructive disease could be a complication of long-term hemodialysis for chronic renal failure. Catheter intervention may serve to release the obstruction, although the procedure is not curative.

Individuals with cancer have two to four times an increased risk of depressive disorders compared to the general population. Depressive symptoms are related to impaired daily life functioning and a rise in health care utilization. Pharmacological treatments for depression are usually effective to reduce depressive symptoms, but sometimes lead to serious adverse reactions. We describe a cancer patient who developed sudden psychological and behavioral abnormalities after administration of the antidepressant paroxetine. Impulsive and aggressive symptoms are a so-called activation syndrome that can cause violent or suicidal tendencies. Palliative care staff should pay close attention to these potentially lethal reactions and make an immediate and correct diagnosis.

That vector potentials have a direct significance to quantum particles moving in magnetic fields is known as the A–B (Aharonov–Bohm) effect. We study scattering by two solenoidal magnetic fields (point-like magnetic fields) in two dimensions and analyze the asymptotic behavior of the scattering amplitude in the semiclassical limit. The corresponding classical mechanical system has a trajectory oscillating between the centers of the two fields. We derive the asymptotic formula with the first three terms and make clear how such a trapping trajectory is reflected in the asymptotic formula through the A–B effect. We also make a brief comment on an extension to the scattering by many solenoidal fields. The result depends on the location of the centers of the fields. In particular, the A–B effect appears strongly when the centers are on an even line.