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Lattice-matched Al1−xInxN / GaN heterostructures with InN mole fraction (x) of 0.18 have attracted considerable interest for use in GaN-based optoelectronic devices. Because the light emission efficiency (η emission ) of Al1−xInxN alloys is far less than that of InxGa1−xN, understanding its causes is essential. For this purpose, room-temperature photoluminescence lifetime (τ PL RT ), which almost represents the nonradiative recombination lifetime that limits the internal quantum efficiency in low η emission semiconductors, of c-plane Al1−xInxN epilayers nearly and modestly lattice-matched to GaN (0.11 ≤ x ≤ 0.21) was examined. For the epilayers grown on low threading dislocation density (TDD) GaN substrates (≪ 10 7 c m − 2 ), τ PL RT principally decreased with increasing x, indicating a progressive increase in the concentration of nonradiative recombination centers (NRCs), N NRC . One of the probable causes is the growth temperature (T g ) reduction that is indispensable to incorporate more In, because in insufficient T g regime higher T g is preferred for enhancing the surface migration of adatoms to decrease the concentrations of vacancies that compose NRCs. The Al1−xInxN epilayers of the same x but grown on high TDD (> --> 10 8 c m − 2 ) GaN-on-sapphire templates exhibited shorter τ PL RT . Because the diffusion length of minority carriers was nearly zero in the Al1−xInxN epilayers, the shorter τ PL RT indicates higher bulk N NRC in high TDD epilayers. The Al1−xInxN epilayers of considerably rough surface morphologies exhibited spatially inhomogeneous τ PL RT , implying that excited carriers recombined everywhere at InN-rich to InN-poor portions, where N NRC were likely lower to higher, respectively, than the average due to the deviations in the surface stoichiometry at various non-c-plane surfaces at a given T g . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the electronic structure of silver chalcogenides Ag2X (X = S, Se, Te) and their solid solutions using hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory calculations using generalized gradient approximation (GGA). By including the corrections for on-site Coulomb interactions (GGA + U), we successfully reproduced the valence band photoemission spectra, which consist mainly of the Ag 4d band, by calculation. The estimated values for U = 4–6 eV are slightly high for Ag 4d electrons but are consistent with those used in previously reported structural studies. On the other hand, the magnitude of the energy gap is virtually independent of U. These results suggest the strong correlation between Ag 4d electrons in Ag2X compounds to have surprisingly little impact on their electron transport properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In magnetically confined fusion plasmas, a gyrotron is an essential auxiliary heating device for generating and sustaining plasma through electron cyclotron resonance heating owing to its ability to generate high-power microwaves. Microwaves emitted from a gyrotron are often transmitted through waveguides, and the transmitted power is monitored by a power monitor with a multi-hole directional coupler at the miter bend of the transmission line. Recently, a high-power dual-frequency gyrotron has been installed and operated in the Large Helical Device. A power monitor with good sensitivity to multiple frequencies is required to monitor the power transmission of the different frequencies at the same transmission line. In order to realize the power monitor, which can couple with the multiple-frequency microwaves, we focused on a sub-waveguide shape in the power monitor and investigated the influence of the tapered sub-waveguide by conducting electromagnetic simulations using a simple model. We also performed the high-power test using a power monitor with a tapered sub-waveguide. The experimental result was different from the simulation, but enough receiving power was obtained at both 116 and 154 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the electronic structure of a potential thermoelectric material, higher manganese silicide, and its solid solutions with supersaturated Re by means of hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy. The unusual Re substitution dependence of thermoelectric properties in the higher manganese silicide, reducing the electrical resistivity without altering the Seebeck coefficient, can be explained in terms of the variation of the density of states at the Fermi level and its energy derivative. Such an electronic structure variation contributes to an improvement in the thermoelectric performance in combination with the suppressed thermal conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Degradation mechanisms of 275-nm-band AlxGa1-xN multiple quantum well deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes fabricated on a (0001) sapphire substrate were investigated under hard operation conditions with the current of 350 mA and the junction temperature of 105 °C. The optical output power (Po) initially decreased by about 20% within the operating time less than 102 h and then gradually decreased to about 60% by 484 h. For elucidating the causes for the initial and subsequent degradations, complementary electrical, time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL), and impurity characterizations were carried out making a connection with the energy band profiles. Because the degradation of the wells was less significant than the Po reduction, the initial degradation is attributed essentially to the decrease in carrier injection efficiency ( η injection ), not in internal quantum efficiency of the wells, most likely due to depassivation of initially H-passivated preexisting nonradiative recombination centers (NRCs) in a Mg-doped p-type Al0.85Ga0.15N electron blocking layer. The principal cause for the subsequent Po reduction until 484 h is attributed to further decrease in η injection due to the appearance of certain current bypasses in addition to continuous depassivation of the NRCs in p-type AlxGa1-xN layers. According to our database on the species of vacancy-type defects acting as NRCs in GaN and AlN, which have been identified using the combination of positron annihilation and TRPL measurements, vacancy clusters comprised of a cation vacancy (VIII) and nitrogen vacancies (VN), such as V III V N 2 ∼ 4 , are the most suspicious origins of the NRCs in Mg-doped p-type AlxGa1-xN layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives : To characterise the clinical signs of suspected cerebrovascular disease in dogs. Materials and Methods : Medical records of one hospital were searched from November 2009 to December 2016 for dogs that suffered of cerebrovascular disease. We diagnosed cerebrovascular disease based on acute onset, clinical signs and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The medical history, clinical signs, concurrent disease, area of infarction, cerebrospinal fluid results, month at onset and outcome were investigated in the cerebrovascular disease group and in a control group (dogs with brain disorders other than cerebrovascular disease). Results : A total of 122 CVD cases were extracted from the 5312 patients that visited during the study period. Of these 122 cases, 66 (1.2%) matched the subject selection criteria of our study and were included in the analysis. Forebrain infarction was observed in 51 of 66 cases, of which 24 (47.1%) suffered from seizures. The number of dogs diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease was disproportionately high in August (nine of 59 cases) and December (13 of 59 cases). In the outcome survey, deterioration was observed in 11 of 55 cases. Clinical Significance : Seizure is an important clinical sign of cerebrovascular disease in dogs. There was a significant seasonal variation in the number of dogs diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease in Japan. Clinical features observed in this report differ from those of previous reports and highlight the need for additional research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A record-long room-temperature photoluminescence (PL) lifetime ( τ PL RT ) of approximately 70 ps was obtained for the sub-bandgap 3.7 eV emission band of a 300-nm-thick c-plane Al0.83In0.17N epilayer for the use in cladding layers of an edge laser structure, which were grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on a low threading dislocation density nearly lattice-matched GaN substrate. The recorded τ PL RT value was twice as long as previously reported ones, indicating half concentration of nonradiative recombination centers. Room-temperature spatially resolved cathodoluminescence intensity images for the 3.7 eV band revealed nearly zero carrier diffusion length, which is consistent with the fact that τ PL RT of 70 ps is 1/35 of the near-band-edge emission of the GaN substrate (2.4 ns). As the PL decay curves for the 3.7 eV band were sufficiently fitted by the stretched exponential function, the emission likely originates from extended states such as impurities, point defects, and their complexes, as well as localized states of uneven potential profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strange metals possess highly unconventional electrical properties, such as a linear-in-temperature resistivity1–6, an inverse Hall angle that varies as temperature squared7–9 and a linear-in-field magnetoresistance10–13. Identifying the origin of these collective anomalies has proved fundamentally challenging, even in materials such as the hole-doped cuprates that possess a simple bandstructure. The prevailing consensus is that strange metallicity in the cuprates is tied to a quantum critical point at a doping p* inside the superconducting dome14,15. Here we study the high-field in-plane magnetoresistance of two superconducting cuprate families at doping levels beyond p*. At all dopings, the magnetoresistance exhibits quadrature scaling and becomes linear at high values of the ratio of the field and the temperature, indicating that the strange-metal regime extends well beyond p*. Moreover, the magnitude of the magnetoresistance is found to be much larger than predicted by conventional theory and is insensitive to both impurity scattering and magnetic field orientation. These observations, coupled with analysis of the zero-field and Hall resistivities, suggest that despite having a single band, the cuprate strange-metal region hosts two charge sectors, one containing coherent quasiparticles, the other scale-invariant ‘Planckian’ dissipators.Measurements of high-field magnetotransport in overdoped cuprates indicate that the strange-metal regime exists beyond the critical doping, and that it has both coherent and incoherent contributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have succeed in growing single crystals of EuCu 5 and EuAu 5 with the hexagonal structure by the Bridgman method. Both compounds are known to be ferromagnets with Curie temperatures T C = 57 and 13 K, respectively, and the Eu-4f magnetic moments of EuCu 5 are known to orient along the hexagonal c-axis or the [0001] direction by the Mössbauer experiment. The magnetisations at 2 K in EuCu 5 and EuAu 5 in the present experiment saturate at an extremely low field of 2 kOe for H ∥ [ 0001 ] , with a Eu 2 + -moment of 7 μ B / E u . On the other hand, the hard-axis magnetisations for H ⊥ [0001] saturate at a high field of 40 kOe. It is also found from the electrical resistivty measurement that the electrical resistivities along the current J ∥ [0001] in EuCu 5 and EuAu 5 are about 10 μ Ω ⋅ c m at room temperature, which are compared with the resistivities of ρ = 30–40 μ Ω ⋅ c m for J ⊥ [0001]. The quasi-one dimensional conductivities are also characteristic, which were clarified from the de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) experiment and FLAPW energy band calculation for EuAu 5 , revealing the existence of a large plate-like Fermi surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the association between sarcopenic obesity and the decline in estimated GFR in people with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We enrolled 745 people with type 2 diabetes (mean age 64.6 years, 53.6% men). Body composition was evaluated using dual‐energy X‑ray absorptiometry. Skeletal muscle index, calculated as appendicular non‐fat mass (kg) divided by height squared (m2), was used to determine sarcopenia. Sarcopenic obesity was defined as the coexistence of sarcopenia and a ratio of android to gynoid fat mass greater than the median values in each gender. The association of sarcopenic obesity both with the annual rate of decline in estimated GFR and a >30% decline in estimated GFR was evaluated using multivariate linear regression models and Cox proportional hazard models, respectively. Results: Participants with sarcopenic obesity were at an increased risk of a high annual rate of decline in estimated GFR, even after adjustment for the confounding variables (standardized β = −0.228, P <0.001). Sarcopenic obesity was also significantly associated with risk of a >30% decline in estimated GFR (hazard ratio 4.52, 95% CI 2.16–9.47; P < 0.01) in multivariate model. Conclusions: Sarcopenic obesity evaluated by dual energy X‑ray absorptiometry is associated with a faster decline in renal function in people with type 2 diabetes. What's new?: People with sarcopenic obesity, defined as the coexistence of sarcopenia and obesity, were reported to have an extremely high risk of metabolic abnormalities including insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and diabetes; however, the impact of sarcopenic obesity on decline in renal function has not been fully established.This study demonstrated that sarcopenic obesity was significantly associated with a high annual rate of estimated GFR (eGFR) decline and a >30% decline in eGFR in both men and women with type 2 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present ALMA detection of the [O iii] 88 μm line and 850 μm dust continuum emission in a Y-dropout Lyman break galaxy, MACS0416_Y1. The [O iii] detection confirms the object with a spectroscopic redshift to be z = 8.3118±0.0003. The 850 μm continuum intensity (0.14 mJy) implies a large dust mass on the order of 4×106M⊙. The ultraviolet-to-far infrared spectral energy distribution modeling, where the [O iii] emissivity model is incorporated, suggests the presence of a young (τage ≍ 4 Myr), star-forming (SFR ≍ 60M⊙yr−1), and moderately metal-polluted (Z ≍ 0.2Z⊙) stellar component with a stellar mass of 3 × 108M⊙. An analytic dust mass evolution model with a single episode of star formation does not reproduce the metallicity and dust mass in ≍ 4 Myr, suggesting an underlying evolved stellar component as the origin of the dust mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present ALMA detection of the [O iii] 88 μm line and 850 μm dust continuum emission in a Y-dropout Lyman break galaxy, MACS0416_Y1. The [O iii] detection confirms the object with a spectroscopic redshift to be z = 8.3118±0.0003. The 850 μm continuum intensity (0.14 mJy) implies a large dust mass on the order of 4×106M⊙. The ultraviolet-to-far infrared spectral energy distribution modeling, where the [O iii] emissivity model is incorporated, suggests the presence of a young (τage ≍ 4 Myr), star-forming (SFR ≍ 60M⊙yr−1), and moderately metal-polluted (Z ≍ 0.2Z⊙) stellar component with a stellar mass of 3 × 108M⊙. An analytic dust mass evolution model with a single episode of star formation does not reproduce the metallicity and dust mass in ≍ 4 Myr, suggesting an underlying evolved stellar component as the origin of the dust mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elucidates the nature of the recombination mechanisms responsible for the radiative transitions in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQW) grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy at 820 degree centigrade. Dominance of a strong multiple peak emissions associating with both confined levels of the MQW system; Origin of the photoluminescence from the MQW exciton recombination.

Focuses on a study on electron energy loss spectra of polycrystalline strontium or barium perovskites with metallic conductivities. Experimental procedures; Results.

Presents information on a study which proved that GaInN alloy material can be obtained with fluctuation. Existence of a separation of absorption and emission band gap; Significance of pseudomorphic strain and piezoelectric properties; Elucidation of electronic band structure; Experimental details.

A visualization of thermal diffusion in a horizontal pipe flow is conducted to elucidate the axial diffusion characteristics of two fluids of differing temperatures, particularly those flows between the laminar and turbulent flow regimes. Tracer particles are used to detect the thermal diffusion interface as well as to measure streamwise velocity profiles. We found that the Hagen–Poiseuille parabolic velocity profile established a long axial diffusion length that drives thermal convection in the pipe cross-sectional plane. This situation results in a 3D interface at Reynolds number, Re = 600, and a vertically stratified interface at Re = 1900. In turbulent flows at Re = 5700, an anti-diffusion spot appears in the front section before undergoing rapid mixing under turbulence. From the visualized particle images, the apparent axial coefficients of diffusion were measured and compared with the friction properties of the pipe. Furthermore, particle image velocimetry (PIV) explored the two-way coupling mechanism of between the temperature and the velocity within the thermal diffusion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The native distribution of the yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina, is throughout East Asia. Around 15 years ago this species was accidentally introduced into South Korea and France, where it became established and then spread into neighbouring countries. Previous mitochondrial DNA studies showed that the South Korean, Japanese, and French populations all originated from Eastern China. Recently, the hornet has invaded Iki Island, Japan and Jersey Island, UK. In this study, we analyze the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of V. velutina to trace the origin of these two populations. The mitochondrial DNA haplotypes (COI, Cytb, and 16S rRNA) of V. velutina in Iki Island matched the unique haplotype present in China, South Korea, and Japan, while the haplotype from Jersey Island matched that of V. velutina found in France and China. These findings were supported by data from the complete mitochondrial DNA sequence of V. velutina from Iki Island, which was consistent with the sequence from South Korea and Tsushima, whereas V. velutina in Jersey was most similar to the French population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives We investigated the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) by monitoring its serum concentration for mothers and infants in pregnant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods We measured trough concentrations of TAC in 25 pregnant patients with SLE to assess influence of TAC on the disease activity. Additionally, we measured the concentrations of TAC in umbilical arterial blood, breast milk, and breastfed infants to investigate the safety of TAC for the mothers and infants. Results The trough concentrations of TAC in the mothers significantly decreased in the second trimester as compared with those before pregnancy. However, the decrease in the trough concentrations of TAC did not lead to the deterioration of SLE. When examined, the doses of TAC were significantly lower in the second trimester and postpartum in the deteriorating group than those in the non-deteriorating group. There were no adverse events by TAC in mothers and fetuses. The concentrations of TAC in the umbilical cord blood were lower than those in the maternal blood. The relative infant dose in breastfed infants of TAC was < 1%. The level of TAC in infant bloods was below detectable limits. Conclusion These findings suggest that TAC is one of the most effective and safest immunosuppressive drugs for use in pregnant patients with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present ALMA detection of the [O iii] 88 μm line and 850 μm dust continuum emission in a Y-dropout Lyman break galaxy, MACS0416_Y1. The [O iii] detection confirms the object with a spectroscopic redshift to be z = 8.3118±0.0003. The 850 μm continuum intensity (0.14 mJy) implies a large dust mass on the order of 4×106M⊙. The ultraviolet-to-far infrared spectral energy distribution modeling, where the [O iii] emissivity model is incorporated, suggests the presence of a young (τage ≍ 4 Myr), star-forming (SFR ≍ 60M⊙yr−1), and moderately metal-polluted (Z ≍ 0.2Z⊙) stellar component with a stellar mass of 3 × 108M⊙. An analytic dust mass evolution model with a single episode of star formation does not reproduce the metallicity and dust mass in ≍ 4 Myr, suggesting an underlying evolved stellar component as the origin of the dust mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which investigated the origin of ferromagnetism in manganese-aluminum multilayered films. Background on multilayered metal films; Experimental procedure; Results and discussion.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of discontinuation of risedronate for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with glucocorticoid (GC). Methods: The participants were patients with SLE treated with prednisolone (PSL)≥2 mg/day and risedronate for at least three years. Lumbar spine and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were taken at baseline and 24 and 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, and bone turnover markers were evaluated at baseline, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks. Results: A total of 36 patients were enrolled, 25 of whom discontinued risedronate. The mean age was 46.8±11.2 years, and 23 were female. The mean duration of GC treatment was 14.8±11.4 years, the mean dose of PSL was 7.8±3.9 mg/day, and the mean duration of risedronate was 5.8±2.4 years. Seventeen patients showed decreased lumbar spine BMD at 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, with a mean lumbar spine lumbar decrease of 1.42%±3.20% (p=0.034); 17 patients (71%) showed a decreased total hip BMD at 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, with a mean total hip BMD decrease of 0.99%±2.10% (p=0.021). Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b)<309 mU/dl at baseline was a risk factor for decreased total hip BMD at 48 weeks compared with serum TRACP-5b<309 mU/dl (56% vs 0%, p=0.0098). One patient developed a clinical fracture of the lumbar spine at 20 weeks. Conclusions: Discontinuation of risedronate treatment in patients with SLE who had received GC therapy led to decreases in lumbar spine and total hip BMD, particularly in patients with high baseline serum TRACP-5b levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD), a heterogeneous disorder, involves multiple pathogenetic mechanisms. Developing treatments for FD has been challenging. We performed a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind clinical trial to determine the efficacy of rikkunshito, a Japanese herbal medicine, in FD patients. Methods: FD patients (n = 192) who met the Rome III criteria without Helicobacter pylori infection, predominant heartburn, and depression were enrolled at 56 hospitals in Japan. After 2 weeks of single‐blind placebo treatment, 128 patients with continuous symptoms were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of rikkunshito (n = 64) or placebo (n = 61). The primary efficacy endpoint was global assessment of overall treatment efficacy (OTE). The secondary efficacy endpoints were improvements in upper gastrointestinal symptoms evaluated by the Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders‐Symptom Severity Index (PAGI‐SYM), the Global Overall Symptom scale (GOS), and the modified Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (m‐FSSG), and psychological symptoms evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Key Results: Rikkunshito increased OTE compared to placebo at 8 weeks (P = .019). Rikkunshito improved upper gastrointestinal symptoms (PAGI‐SYM, GOS, and m‐FSSG) at 8 weeks, especially postprandial fullness/early satiety (P = .015 and P = .001) and bloating (P = .007 and P = .002) of the PAGI‐SYM subscales at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Improvement of HADS at 8 weeks (P = .027) correlated with those of PAGI‐SYM (r = .302, P = .001), GOS (r = .186, P = .044), and m‐FSSG (r = .462, P < .001), postprandial fullness/early satiety (r = .226, P = .014), dyspepsia (r = .215, P = .019), and PDS (r = .221, P = .016). Conclusion & inferences: Rikkunshito may be beneficial for FD patients to simultaneously treat gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of secukinumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who failed to respond to tumour necrosis factor- α (TNF-α) inhibitors.Method: This phase III double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled study (NCT01770379) randomized (1:1:1) patients to subcutaneous secukinumab 150 mg, secukinumab 75 mg, or placebo at baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4, and then every 4 weeks. American College of Rheumatology (ACR) 20 response at week 24 was the primary endpoint. Secondary outcomes included the 28-joint Disease Activity Score using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP), Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI), and ACR50 at week 24. Long-term treatment was planned for 5 years.Results: ACR20 response rates at week 24 for the secukinumab 150 mg and 75 mg groups were not statistically superior to placebo. None of the secondary endpoints was met for either secukinumab dose. Although not statistically significant, compared with placebo, numerically greater differences in least squares mean changes from baseline in HAQ-DI score and numerically higher ACR50 response rates were observed at week 24 in both secukinumab treatment groups. No new or unexpected adverse events were observed in this study compared with the large secukinumab safety database across psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and other RA studies.Conclusions: Given that other second-line therapies have demonstrated efficacy in RA patients who failed to respond to TNF-α inhibitors, these findings may suggest that interleukin-17A inhibition with secukinumab does not provide additional benefit to these patients. This study further confirms the well-characterized safety profile of secukinumab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Size-dependent uptake behaviors of electrically neutral amphipathic polymeric nanoparticles in cell-sized liposomes and living cells were investigated. Kinetic analyses and the particle size distribution suggested a size-dependent penetration mechanism (size threshold: 3.1 nm). The definite size-dependent uptake provides a new insight into the interactions between nanomaterials and living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY We have designed and developed a tri-stable rotary solenoid actuator, which has a simple structure and simple operation. The plunger has two stabilities at the extreme positions along an angular stroke and the third stability at the center of it. The third has been successively achieved by using the electromagnetic restoring torque, which is designed to be larger than the inertia torque. The dynamic characteristics were determined by utilizing an optimal design program that is specially constructed based on the response surface method in order to design the coil winding and the power supply for the coil excitation. A prototype solenoid was constructed and used to verify the tri-stable motions and accuracy of the previously constructed design program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although jellyfish blooms are serious nuisances for fisheries and other industries, the utilization and nutritional value of by‐catch jellyfish has drawn public attention. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of feeding tiger puffer Takifugu rubripes with moon jellyfish Aurelia sp. using 20‐day rearing experiments. Feeding on jellyfish had no positive effect on growth performance, although it significantly reduced neutral lipids and increased proportions of polar lipids, n−3 and n−6 highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs), especially arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids, and taurine. Supplemental feeding on jellyfish plus pellets elevated activity and responsiveness in the fish, with no effect on burst swimming speed or prevention of aggressive biting by siblings. The present research suggests that feeding on jellyfish improves body composition and some behaviours in tiger puffers. As cultured fish tend to accumulate excessive amounts of lipids from lipid‐rich pellets that can induce an unhealthy condition, and behavioural deficits of hatchery‐reared fish reduce survival after release in the wild, we propose the use of jellyfish as a supplemental diet in the nursery production of tiger puffer. Moreover, feeding on jellyfish can overcome deficiencies in alternative soy‐material feeds by supplying phospholipid, HUFAs, or taurine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superconductivity is ubiquitous as evidenced by the observation in many crystals including carrier-doped oxides and diamond. Amorphous solids are no exception. However, it remains to be discovered in quasicrystals, in which atoms are ordered over long distances but not in a periodically repeating arrangement. Here we report electrical resistivity, magnetization, and specific-heat measurements of Al–Zn–Mg quasicrystal, presenting convincing evidence for the emergence of bulk superconductivity at a very low transition temperature of Tc ≅ 0:05 K. We also find superconductivity in its approximant crystals, structures that are periodic, but that are very similar to quasicrystals. These observations demonstrate that the effective interaction between electrons remains attractive under variation of the atomic arrangement from periodic to quasiperiodic one. The discovery of the superconducting quasicrystal, in which the fractal geometry interplays with superconductivity, opens the door to a new type of superconductivity, fractal superconductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetization reversal process has been studied in a series of four TbFeCo films over the temperature range 300-460 K. The films were characterized by time decay, dynamic coercivity, Kerr imaging, and torque measurements. For a film with a sputter-etched SiN underlayer, the reversal process at low temperatures was dominated by nucleation followed by rapid domain wall motion. The low temperature relaxation curves for this sample were analyzed using a Fatuzzo model. At high temperatures, the Fatuzzo model did not apply. For the other films, with no etching, relaxation curves were logarithmic at all temperatures. All activation volumes increased with increasing temperature and decreased with increasing sputtering pressure. The magnetic anisotropy direction changed from perpendicular to in-plane as the argon sputtering pressure was increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the magnetic properties of layered oxysulfide Sr[sub 2]Cu[sub 2](Co,Cu)O[sub 2]S[sub 2] with the (Co,Cu)O[sub 2] planes. Magnetic susceptibility shows a broad maximum indicative of two-dimensional antiferromagnetic nature above 140 K. Below 80 K, the divergence between zero-field cooled and field cooled magnetizations is seen; long time decay is observed at 10 and 75 K, while it is not observed at 45 K. These feature is discussed from the viewpoint of the strongly and frustrated spin system which is different from the traditional spin glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological invasions have severe economic and ecological impacts. The yellow-legged hornet, Vespa velutina was originally distributed throughout most of the Oriental region, but it has invasive populations in South Korea, Europe, and most recently, Japan. This species is a predator of honeybees, raising concerns about costs to beekeeping. A previous study concluded that South Korean and European populations originated from China. In this study, we investigate the genetic structure of V. velutina to infer the origin of Japanese populations. A maximum likelihood tree based on three mitochondrial genes (COI, Cytb, and 16S rRNA) revealed that V. velutina consists of an Indonesian-Malaysian clade and an Asian Continent clade, although some Indonesian samples are included in the latter clade. Sequences from individuals in the Japanese and South Korean populations were identical, suggesting that V. velutina in Japan came from South Korea. The single haplotype found in these introduced populations suggests that they originated from a very small number of founders from the natural distributional area. Nevertheless, their distribution continues to expand in introduced areas. Special attention should be paid to diapausing queens of the hornet, as they are likely responsible for these introductions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of edge plasma parameters such as current density, electron density, and electron temperature were performed during internal reconnection events in TST-2 Ohmic plasmas. The measured current density consists of two components: a slowly varying component and a spiky bipolar component. The magnitude of the slowly varying component is comparable to the mean current density averaged over the poloidal cross section, and it seems to represent the global transport from the core to the edge. The spiky bipolar component is about an order of magnitude larger than the slowly varying component, but the spatial structure seems to be localized and its effect on plasma confinement is not catastrophic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interband tunneling in semiconductors [1, 2] is one of the clearest manifestations of quantum mechanics in electronic devices. In the case of interband tunneling in a heavily doped PN junction, in reverse bias, electrons tunnel from the filled states in the valence band to the empty states in the conduction band. Under forward bias, tunneling current is observed when electrons tunnel from filled states in the conduction band to empty states in the valence band, as shown in Fig. 8.1. As the conduction band on the n-side becomes biased higher in energy than the valence band, states are not available for electrons to tunnel into. As a result, the current decreases, leading to a characteristic negative differential resistance regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The selectivity index has been proposed in predicting the response to immunosuppressive therapy in nephrotic syndrome and other primary kidney disorders. The aim of this study was to elucidate the predictive value of the selectivity index for the treatment response and renal outcome in patients with lupus nephritis. Methods: Forty-four patients with lupus nephritis with selectivity index available at the time of renal biopsy were divided into two groups according to the cut-off value of the selectivity index determined by a receiver operating characteristics curve to differentiate treatment responders from non-responders. The baseline characteristics, overall response rate and renal functional outcome were studied retrospectively, and compared between the two groups. Prognostic factors for achieving remission were identified. Results: The cut-off value of the selectivity index was 0.167. The low selectivity index (<0.167) and the high selectivity index (≥0.167) group included 24 and 20 patients, respectively. The overall response rate was significantly higher (88% vs. 50%, P=0.007) and the rate of progression to end-stage renal disease was lower in the low selectivity index group (0% vs. 15%, P=0.049). More patients in the high selectivity index group had chronic lesions on renal biopsy (P=0.002). The selectivity index was the prognostic factor for achieving overall response based on a multivariate analysis (P=0.020). Conclusions: A selectivity index ≥0.167 was a strong predictor for a poor treatment response and the presence of chronic lesions on renal biopsy. Further exploration with a larger cohort and longer follow-up period is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The aim of this work is to characterize physical properties of ultra luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) detected in the far-infrared (FIR) 90 μm band in the AKARI Deep Field-South (ADF-S) survey. In particular, we want to estimate the active galactic nucleus (AGN) contribution to the LIRGs and ULIRGs' infrared emission and which types of AGNs are related to their activity. Methods. We examined 69 galaxies at redshift ≥0.05 detected at 90 μm by the AKARI satellite in the ADF-S, with optical counterparts and spectral coverage from the ultraviolet to the FIR. We used two independent spectral energy distribution fitting codes: one fitting the SED from FIR to FUV (CIGALE) (we use the results from CIGALE as a reference) and gray-body + power spectrum fit for the infrared part of the spectra (CMCIRSED) in order to identify a subsample of ULIRGs and LIRGs, and to estimate their properties. Results. Based on the CIGALE SED fitting, we have found that LIRGs and ULIRGs selected at the 90 μm AKARI band compose ~56% of our sample (we found 17 ULIRGs and 22 LIRGs, spanning over the redshift range 0.06

In temperate zones, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) outbreaks typically occur in cold weather, i.e. in late autumn and winter. However, recent outbreaks in Japan have tended to start during summer and autumn. This study examined associations of meteorological conditions with the numbers of HRSV cases reported in summer in Japan. Using data from the HRSV national surveillance system and national meteorological data for summer during the period 2007–2014, we utilized negative binomial logistic regression analysis to identify associations between meteorological conditions and reported cases of HRSV. HRSV cases increased when summer temperatures rose and when relative humidity increased. Consideration of the interaction term temperature × relative humidity enabled us to show synergistic effects of high temperature with HRSV occurrence. In particular, HRSV cases synergistically increased when relative humidity increased while the temperature was ⩾28·2 °C. Seasonal-trend decomposition analysis using the HRSV national surveillance data divided by 11 climate divisions showed that summer HRSV cases occurred in South Japan (Okinawa Island), Kyushu, and Nankai climate divisions, which are located in southwest Japan. Higher temperature and higher relative humidity were necessary conditions for HRSV occurrence in summer in Japan. Paediatricians in temperate zones should be mindful of possible HRSV cases in summer, when suitable conditions are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In temperate zones, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) outbreaks typically occur in cold weather, i.e. in late autumn and winter. However, recent outbreaks in Japan have tended to start during summer and autumn. This study examined associations of meteorological conditions with the numbers of HRSV cases reported in summer in Japan. Using data from the HRSV national surveillance system and national meteorological data for summer during the period 2007-2014, we utilized negative binomial logistic regression analysis to identify associations between meteorological conditions and reported cases of HRSV. HRSV cases increased when summer temperatures rose and when relative humidity increased. Consideration of the interaction term temperature × relative humidity enabled us to show synergistic effects of high temperature with HRSV occurrence. In particular, HRSV cases synergistically increased when relative humidity increased while the temperature was ⩾28·2 °C. Seasonal-trend decomposition analysis using the HRSV national surveillance data divided by 11 climate divisions showed that summer HRSV cases occurred in South Japan (Okinawa Island), Kyushu, and Nankai climate divisions, which are located in southwest Japan. Higher temperature and higher relative humidity were necessary conditions for HRSV occurrence in summer in Japan. Paediatricians in temperate zones should be mindful of possible HRSV cases in summer, when suitable conditions are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]