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New trivalent praseodymium ion (Pr3+) conducting solid electrolyte composites, (PrxZr1−x)4/(4−x)Nb(PO4)3 (0.05≤x≤0.3)+NbPO5, were successfully developed by selecting the NASICON type structure as the mother structure candidate. The 94±5% praseodymium ion in the composites was identified to hold the trivalent state by effective magnetic moment measurements and the pure Pr3+ ion conduction in the composite solid was demonstrated both by ac conductivity measurements in various oxygen partial pressures and by dc electrolytes.

Data of the ηπ− system were obtained in the reaction π−p → ηπ−p at 6.3 GeV/c beam momentum. About 17 k events of ηπ− were collected in the mass range 0.8 ⩽ Mηπ- ⩽ 1.8 GeV/c2 and in the range of the momentum transfer squared 0.075 ⩽ |t′| ⩽ 0.60 (GeV/c)2. A large forward-backward asymmetry was observed around 1.3 GeV/c2 in the Gottfried-Jackson frame of the ηπ− system. A partial wave analysis of the data was performed. A peak of the D+ wave attributed to a2 (1320) is clearly seen. An enhancement is observed around 1.3 GeV/c2 in the P+ wave.

Experimental studies on the ωπ 0 and νπ − systems in the π − p reactions have been performed at KEK. The moment analysis of the ωπ 0 system shows a clear peak of b 1 0 (1235) in the IJ pc = 11 +− wave. In the 11 −− wave, no clear peak is seen. The properties of C(1480) with 11 −− and ϱ(1450) are discussed taking into account upper limits of their cross sections. The experiment on the νπ − system was planned to search for an exotic resonance with IJ pc = 11 −+ . The data taking run was finished and an analysis is under way.

All the inhabitants of the Amami islands and of the northern half of Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands were surveyed for neuromuscular disorders which cause progressive muscular atrophy. The estimated total of persons surveyed was 287,727. Among 59 cases found, 23 in Tokuno-, 8 in Okinoerabu-shima and 1 in Okinawa island were found to suffer from an unusual neuromuscular disease. This disease began in early infancy and caused symmetrical proximal muscular atrophy, more severe in the lower extremities than in the upper. Fasciculations, slight kypho-scoliosis and pes cavus were seen. The results of investigations in a small number of cases suggested a neuropathic disorder but myopathic features were also demonstrated. It is suggested that this disease is a new form of inherited spinal muscular atrophy. The disease is thought to be recessively inherited. Keizu, or family records, found in Tokuno-shima revealed that co-ancestors of the patients were the lord(s) of both Tokuno- and Okinoerabu-shima in the 17th century. The distribution of the patients could be explained by the activities of the ancestors. The probable co-ancestor of all of the patients was thought to be a lord who lived in Hokuzan Principality in northern Okinawa from 1314–1429. The gene was attributed to one mutation occurring before the 14th century.