Cementing materials in the Arahama sand dune, Japan, were studied mineralogically and biogeochemically to gain a better understanding of the cause of hardening. The cementing material is a clay-organic complex composed of noncrystalline gels and a matrix of small, poorly crystalline particles showing 14–16-Å spacings. The gel materials appear to have transformed into the poorly crystalline particles, which have a high carbon content and Al/Si ratios of 2.2 to 2.0. These particles are slightly richer in Si and poorer in Fe than the gel materials themselves. The organic portion of the complex can be removed by H2O2 treatment, leaving a noncrystalline network-structure containing a dispersed granular component. Scanning auger-depth profiles of individual particles show a high surface concentration of C and O and an increase in the Al/Si ratio with depth. The energy-intensity distribution suggests a mixture of carbon compounds having a major core-line binding energy of a hydrocarbon. The gel-cementing materials in the sand dune may have been formed from biochemical weathering products of organic matter, which subsequently controlled the formation of clay-organic complexes.

Patients with schizophrenia experiences varying clinical courses in the symptoms and up to 30-60% of patients with schizophrenia do not respond sufficiently to antipsychotics. Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia (TRS) can have several reasons, including early onset, nonadherence to oral medication regimens, and persistent negative symptoms known as deficit syndrome. Patients with TRS experience frequent exacerbations, leading to the need for higher doses of antipsychotics to achieve a clinical result.

Recently, dopamine supersensitivity psychosis (DSP) and tardive dyskinesia (TD), both of which could be caused by inappropriate pharmacotherapy, as typified by excessive dosages of antipsychotics, have also been presumed relevant to TRS. Several lines of evidence suggest that both DSP and withdrawal psychosis are closely linked to the supersensitivity of dopamine D2 receptors; this could be caused by a potent blockade of the receptors by antipsychotics. Indeed our study recently has found that patients with DSP are overlapped with the concept of treatment-resistance, and these patients can be recovered by long-acting injectable form, via amelioration of Dopamine supersensitivity state. However, it was also observed that one group did not improve at the clinical symptomatic level, despite the presence of DSP.

Here, we try to verify relation in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia between several classes of antipsychotics or clinical symptoms and treatment process with oral antipsychotics after the initiation of RLAI. This study is a naturalistic, one-arm design with a 12-month observation period of a moderate sample size (N=115).

Although treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) is a highly heterogeneous disorder, an established and efficacious treatment for those patients to date is pharmacotherapy with clozapine. Dopamine supersensitivity psychosis (DSP) is characterized by profound unstable positive symptoms and tardive dyskinesia, and its mechanism is related to up-regulation of dopamine D2 receptors (DRD2) which can be induced by long-term treatment with antipsychotics. Patients with DSP take generally excessive high dosages of neuroleptics and thus meet easily the criteria of TRS. A drug with secure and stable pharmacokinetic, which can keep an appropriate blockade of DRD2, may contribute to amelioration and prevention of the dopamine supersensitivity state. Risperidone long-acting injection (RLAI) is a candidate agent which meets this hypothesis.

The ALMA twenty-six arcmin2 survey of GOODS-S at one millimeter (ASAGAO) is a deep (1σ ∼ 61μJy/beam) and wide area (26 arcmin2) survey on a contiguous field at 1.2 mm. By combining with archival data, we obtained a deeper map in the same region (1σ ∼ 30μJy/beam−1, synthesized beam size 0.59″ × 0.53″), providing the largest sample of sources (25 sources at 5σ, 45 sources at 4.5σ) among ALMA blank-field surveys. The median redshift of the 4.5σ sources is 2.4. The number counts shows that 52% of the extragalactic background light at 1.2 mm is resolved into discrete sources. We create IR luminosity functions (LFs) at z = 1–3, and constrain the faintest luminosity of the LF at 2 < z < 3. The LFs are consistent with previous results based on other ALMA and SCUBA-2 observations, which suggests a positive luminosity evolution and negative density evolution.

The number of tests performed is an important surveillance indicator. We illustrate this point using HIV surveillance data, focusing on Tokyo and Okinawa, two prefectures with high HIV notification rates in Japan. Restricting to data reported from local public health centres and affiliate centres where testing data are accessible, we assessed HIV surveillance data during 2007–2014, based on the annual HIV notification rate (per 100 000 population), HIV testing rate (per 100 000 population) and proportion testing HIV-positive (positivity). Nationally, testing activity and positivity showed an inverse relationship; in 2008, the testing rate peaked, but positivity was lowest. While notification rates were higher for Tokyo (median = 0.98, range = 0.89–1.33) than Okinawa (median = 0.61, range = 0.42–1.09), Okinawa had slightly higher testing rates (median = 187, range = 158–274) relative to Tokyo (median = 172, range = 163–210). Positivity was substantially lower in Okinawa (median = 0.34%, range = 0.24–0.45%) compared with Tokyo (median = 0.57%, range = 0.46–0.67%). Relative to the national testing rate (median = 85, range = 80–115) and positivity (median = 0.34%, range = 0.28–0.36%), Tokyo had higher positivity, despite more testing. In 2014 in Okinawa, all three indicators increased, providing a strong reason to be concerned as positivity increased despite more testing. Together with other information, accounting for testing and positivity improve interpretation of surveillance data to guide public health assessments.

A human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1)-positive male undergoing antiretroviral therapy was diagnosed with an axillary lymph node abscess caused by Corynebacterium ulcerans, and an environmental survey revealed that the patient's cat as the source of infection.

Immunological memory generated by infection with S. ratti was studied separately in the migratory and intestinal phases in mice. Protection against reinfection in the migratory phase was 96–98% at 2 weeks but significantly decreased to 60% at 12 weeks after the primary infection. However, protection in the intestinal phase was 96% even 12 weeks after the primary infection. Recall of immunity against the intestinal phase persists for longer than that against the migratory phase in mice.

T cell populations and IL-3 mRNA expression were analysed in mesenteric lymph node cells and intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in Strongyloides ratti- infected mice. On days 7 and 12 post-infection, 2.6 times as many mesenteric lymph node cells were present in S. ratti- infected mice compared with uninfected mice. Although the percentages of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells decreased during infection, the absolute numbers of these cell types increased on day 7 due to an overall increase in the mesenteric lymph node cell number. The CD4/CD8 ratio in IEL was increased on day 5, whereas no significant change in the CD4/CD8 ratio was observed in the mesenteric lymph node cells. Expression of IL-3 mRNA, which is an important cytokine for the induction of murine mucosal mastocytosis and S. ratti- expulsion, was examined in mesenteric lymph nodes and IEL of uninfected and infected mice. IL-3 mRNA was detected in mesenteric lymph nodes of S. ratti-infected mice but not detected in the lymph nodes of uninfected mice. IL-3 mRNA was detected in IEL from both infected and uninfected mice with an 20-fold increase in expression in IEL of infected mice. Overall, IL-3 mRNA levels were higher in IEL than in mesenteric lymph nodes following S. ratti- infection. Expression of IL-4, IL-10, stem cell factor (SCF or c-kit ligand) and IFN-γ mRNA was also examined in these two tissues. IL-10 mRNA was not detected in any tissue examined and IFN-γ mRNA levels were unaltered as a result of an S. ratti- infection. Elevated expression of mRNA for SCF (5-fold) and IL-4 (20-fold) was observed in the mesenteric lymph nodes of infected mice. In contrast, SCF mRNA levels were similar in IEL of uninfected and infected animals and only a modest increase in IL-4 mRNA was observed in IEL of infected mice.

Excretory and secretory (ES) products collected from adult worms of Strongyloides ratti stimulated interleukin-3 (IL-3) production with mesenteric lymph node cells from infected C57BL/6 mice, hut not with normal mesenteric lymph node cells. The IL-3 stimulating components were not major IgG binding antigens. Activity of the IL-3 stimulating components was stable by treatment with protease, although reduced by heating in boiling water.

Because of its applicability to biological specimens (nonconductors), a single-molecule-imaging technique, atomic force microscopy (AFM), has been particularly powerful for visualizing and analyzing complex biological processes. Comparative analyses based on AFM observation revealed that the bacterial nucleoids and human chromatin were constituted by a detergent/salt-resistant 30–40-nm fiber that turned into thicker fibers with beads of 70–80 nm diameter. AFM observations of the 14-kbp plasmid and 110-kbp F plasmid purified from Escherichia coli demonstrated that the 70–80-nm fiber did not contain a eukaryotic nucleosome-like “beads-on-a-string” structure. Chloroplast nucleoid (that lacks bacterial-type nucleoid proteins and eukaryotic histones) also exhibited the 70–80-nm structural units. Interestingly, naked DNA appeared when the nucleoids from E. coli and chloroplast were treated with RNase, whereas only 30-nm chromatin fiber was released from the human nucleus with the same treatment. These observations suggest that the 30–40-nm nucleoid fiber is formed with a help of nucleoid proteins and RNA in E. coli and chroloplast, and that the eukaryotic 30-nm chromatin fiber is formed without RNA. On the other hand, the 70–80-nm beaded structures in both E. coli and human are dependent on RNA.

Stable discharging of pure nitrogen can be maintained even at atmospheric pressure when alternative pulsed voltage is applied between two parallel plate electrodes. From optical emission spectroscopy, strong emissions from the N2 2nd positive system, weak emissions from N2 Herman's infrared system and N2 1st positive system were observed. The emission intensities from the N2 2nd positive system and the N2 Herman's infrared system increase with increasing the nitrogen gas pressure, whereas the emission intensities from the N2+ 1st negative system and N2 1st positive system decrease. The thickness of the silicon nitride film fabricated at 500 Torr was 1.6 nm at a nitridation temperature as low as 25°C, regardless of the nitridation temperature and nitridation time. From these results, we conclude that N2(C3IIu) plays an important role for the excellent reactivity of the nitrogen plasma generated near atmospheric pressure.

Background. Depression is a remitting but recurring disease. However, there is a paucity of prospectively recorded data on the course of depression after recovery.

Method. A multi-centre prospective serial follow-up study of an inception cohort of hitherto untreated unipolar major depression (N=95) for 6 years. We report the time to recurrence after recovery from the index depressive episode and their predictors.

Results. The cumulative probability of remaining well without subthreshold symptoms was 57% (95% CI, 46 to 68%) at 1 year, 47% (95% CI, 36 to 58%) at 2 years and 35% (95% CI, 23 to 47%) at 5 years. The same without full relapse was 79% (95% CI, 70 to 88%) at 1 year, 70% (95% CI, 60 to 80%) at 2 years and 58% (95% CI, 46 to 70%) at 5 years. The median duration of well-interval from the end of the index episode to the beginning of the subthreshold episode was 19·0 months (95% CI, 2·4 to 35·7), and that to the end of the full episode was over 6 years. Residual symptoms at time of recovery predicted earlier recurrence.

Conclusions. The median length of the well-interval was much longer than previously reported in studies employing similar definitions but dealing with a more severe spectrum of patients. However, the sobering fact remains that less than half of the patients can expect to remain virtually symptom-free for 2 years or more after recovery from the depressive episode.

The memory retention properties of Pt/YMnO3/Y2O3/Si capacitors were investigated for the application of ferroelectric gate transistors. The epitaxially grown Pt/YMnO3/Y2O3/Si capacitors showed ferroelectric type hysteresis loop on the capacitance-voltage properties. Although the retention time of the as-deposited capacitors was ∼103 s, it was prolonged up to 104 s when the leakage current density was reduced from 4×10−8 A/cm2 to 2×10−9 A/cm2 by the annealing under N2 ambience. To reveal the relationship between the retention time and leakage current, the leakage current mechanism was investigated comparing several conduction mechanisms. It was found that the dominant leakage mechanisms at high and low electric fields were Poole-Frenkel emission from the Y2O3 layer and ohmic conduction, respectively. This result indicates that the leakage current was limited by the Y2O3 layer at high electric field and was mainly dominated by the amount of defects in the YMnO3 layer at low electric field. From the pseudo isothermal capacitance transient spectroscopy (ICTS), it was determined that the trap density was in an order of 1015 cm−3. Since the variation of the leakage current by annealing was observed only in the low electric field region, it is suggested that the retention properties of the Pt/YMnO3/Y2O3/Si capacitors was influenced by the amount of defects in the YMnO3 layer.

The memory retention properties of Pt/YMnO3/Y2O3/Si capacitors were investigated for the application of ferroelectric gate transistors. The epitaxially grown Pt/YMnO3/Y2O3/Si capacitors showed ferroelectric type hysteresis loop on the capacitance-voltage properties. Although the retention time of the as-deposited capacitors was ∼103 s, it was prolonged up to 104 s when the leakage current density was reduced from 4×10-8 A/cm2 to 2×10-9 A/cm2 by the annealing under N2 ambience. To reveal the relationship between the retention time and leakage current, the leakage current mechanism was investigated comparing several conduction mechanisms. It was found that the dominant leakage mechanisms at high and low electric fields were Poole-Frenkel emission from the Y2O3 layer and ohmic conduction, respectively. This result indicates that the leakage current was limited by the Y2O3 layer at high electric field and was mainly dominated by the amount of defects in the YMnO3 layer at low electric field. From the pseudo isothermal capacitance transient spectroscopy (ICTS), it was determined that the trap density was in an order of 1015 cm-3. Since the variation of the leakage current by annealing was observed only in the low electric field region, it is suggested that the retention properties of the Pt/YMnO3/Y2O3/Si capacitors was influenced by the amount of defects in the YMnO3 layer.

For the purpose of determining the origin of horticultural evergreen azalea cultivars, this study was focused on the natural populations of azalea in Kyushu (south main island of Japan). The Kirishima mountains, the volcanic mountain mass in Kyushu, are an important centre of diversity for the Japanese evergreen azaleas. Rhododendron kiusianum Makino grows above 1000m alt., whereas R. kaempferi Planch. is distributed below 600m alt. Putative natural hybrid populations of these two species are found in the intermediate region (1000–600m alt.). These two species have been clearly distinguished by their respective morphological features. Rhododendron kiusianum has small pink-purple flowers and small elliptical leaves, whereas R. kaempferi has larger red-orange flowers with dark blotches and large oblong leaves. Interspecific hybrids show phenotypes within the range of the two species, especially with regard to flower colour and leaf shape. A morphological cline of these characteristics corresponding to altitude has been observed between these two species. PCR-RFLP analysis of chloroplast DNA detected specific bands for the two species in the 16S rDNA region when digested with HhaI restriction enzyme. Populations of interspecific hybrids were composed of individuals that had a banding pattern of either R. kiusianum or R. kaempferi. This indicates that R. kiusianum and R. kaempferi are clearly distinct species. Furthermore, natural hybrid populations consist of individuals that have one of two cpDNA. Some individuals in the populations of R. kiusianum (T-1430 and T-1030) possess the cpDNA pattern of R. kaempferi, which suggests that cytoplasmic introgression has occurred in the populations of R. kiusianum from R. kaempferi.

A solution flow system for hydrothermal-electrochemical synthesis has been constructed in our laboratory. This equipment can operate at 20°-200°C, under the pressure of 1-50 atm., at flow rate of 1-50 cm3/min. Applicability of the flow system for low-temperature, hydrothermalelectrochemical synthesis of single-layer and multilayered thin films has been demonstrated using the BaTiO3-SrTiO3 system as an example. Single phase thin films as well as double layers have been deposited at 150°C, current density of 1 mA/cm2, and flow rates of 1-50 cm3/min. The flow rate is an important parameter allowing additional control of the films' morphology by affecting the growth rate. The multilayers can be prepared in only one experiment by simply changing the flowing solution. Processing using the solution flow cell may serve as an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way of fabricating any multilayered thin films, including magneto-optic films.

Silicide technology using cobalt-titanium alloy has been developed for sub-quarter micron devices. Extremely flat and epitaxial CoSi2 films are successfully grown on a (100) Si substrate. Improved SALICIDE process is not influenced by native oxide on a Si surface. This technology will be very useful in deep sub-quarter micron devices.