Search

Cutoff lows (COLs) are mid-latitude cyclones appear at the upper troposphere. They contain cold air mass derived from the polar region. COLs decrease stability of the lower troposphere (e.g., Hoskins et al. 1985) and often accompany severe weathers (e.g., Mohr et al. 2020), which sometimes causes great damages to mid-latitude regions, such as Japan. Besides, the approaching routes of COLs to the Japan Islands and their seasonal cycles have not been investigated with objective method. In this study, we attempt to elucidate them by utilizing depression detection scheme of Kasuga et al. (2021; K21), which can detect COLs from their early stage (pre-existing trough stage). We have implemented a tracking scheme of COLs by simply searching overlapping of area of COLs. Merge and split of COLs are also recorded to investigate variations of the generation/dissipation of COLs.Generally, COLs approach the Japan Islands from northwest advected by the subpolar jet throughout the seasons. They also approach from southeast in JJA and SON at 200 hPa passing around the North Pacific Subtropical High. These two routes were reported in different studies; we successfully track them with a consistent criterion and confirmed that they have longer durations compared to that of a geopotential minimum detection. Tracks shows different characters at 200 and 500 hPa levels as preceding studies have noted. We have found that strong class of COLs are most frequent in MAM. We are investigating climatological backgrounds of the seasonal variations of COLs and hoping to show the results in the conference., The 28th IUGG General Assembly (IUGG2023) (Berlin 2023)

Maiko Maruyama-Inoue, Shimpei Sato, Shin Yamane, Kazuaki Kadonosono Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, JapanCorrespondence: Maiko Maruyama-InoueDepartment of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, 4-57 Urafune-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 232-0024, JapanTel +81 45 261 5656Fax +81 45 253 8490Email maicoo@urahp.yokohama-cu.ac.jpPurpose: To report the results of 9-year follow-up examinations and predictive factors for visual acuity outcome after intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents to treat retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP).Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 85 treatment-naïve eyes in 61 patients (21 men, 40 women; age range, 70–95 years; mean age, 84.0 years) treated with intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents. All patients received three consecutive monthly injections as an induction treatment. During the maintenance phase, the patients received intravitreal injections as needed or fixed dosing. The primary outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) during the follow-up period. Furthermore, we investigated potential predictive factors of improvement in visual acuity. The proportion of patients who developed specific complications were also analyzed.Results: The mean BCVA gradually decreased from 0.58 at baseline to 0.70 at 36 months (P = 0.146), 0.82 at 48 months (P = 0.004), and 0.92 at 108 months (P = 0.021). Improvement in visual acuity at the final visits was associated with baseline visual acuity and central foveal thickness. Massive subretinal hemorrhage, fibrotic scars, and macular atrophy developed in 4 (4.7%), 9 (10.6%), and 50 (56.8%) eyes, respectively, at the final visits, and were all significantly associated with final visual acuity (P = 0.013, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively).Conclusion: Long-term stabilization of vision in patients with RAP, regardless of treatment modality, was difficult to achieve by using intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents. Earlier detection and treatment are important to maintain visual acuity in patients with RAP.Keywords: ranibizumab, aflibercept, retinal angiomatous proliferation, age-related macular degeneration, intravitreal injection &nbsp

Camponotus lasiselene Wang & Wu, 1994 (fig. 4) M a t e r i a l s e x a m i n e d. Nepal: Kathmandu, Ranibari Community Forest [27.729444 N 85.3205555 E], 1310 m, pitfall collection, 13– 15.10.2019, 1 &female; worker (IP Subedi, RP Pokhrel, S Subedi & A Subedi) (CDZMTU); idem, hand collection, 14.04.2021, 2 &female; workers (IP Subedi, I Pandit & A Subedi) (CDZMTU). D i s t r i b u t i o n. Nepal (new record), China, Thailand, Vietnam. T a x o n o m i c n o t e s. Our worker specimen has an opaque black body with extremely abundant whitish short hairs, brownish red mandibles, antennae and tarsus, square-shaped head, short, broad and dorsally margined alitrunk, pronotum with acute margin, two plier-shaped propodeal spines and large, cylindrical gaster. The specimen was identified as C. lasiselene based on the species description and key in Wang & Wu (1994). C. lasiselene is very close to Fig. 4. Camponotus lasiselene. C. selene in the color, shape and sculpture of the body but has abundant whitish erect hair on the body (Wang & Wu, 1994).

Akira Arakawa,1,2 Maiko Inoue,2 Shimpei Sato,2 Shin Yamane,2 Kazuaki Kadonosono2 1Department of Ophthalmology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Yokohama City Seibu Hospital, 2Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of intravitreal aflibercept therapy in treatment-naïve Japanese patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) using Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) letter scores.Subjects and methods: This study was a prospective, nonrandomized, interventional exploratory clinical trial performed in an institutional setting. Patients with PCV were treated with intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg/0.05 mL every 2 months after 3 initial monthly doses, for 1 year. Visual acuity test using the ETDRS chart and indocyanine green angiography was performed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after initiating the treatment, in addition to routine examinations performed at each visit. The main outcome measure was the proportion of patients who achieved

Shimpei Sato,1 Maiko Inoue,2 Shin Yamane,2 Akira Arakawa,2 Mikiro Mori,1 Kazuaki Kadonosono2 1Department of Opthalmology, Toranomon Hospital, Tokyo, Japan; 2Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan Purpose: To evaluate the anatomic and functional effect of microincision vitrectomy surgery (MIVS) with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Methods: The medical records of 101 eyes of 101 patients who had undergone MIVS with ILM peeling for macular edema secondary to BRVO were studied. Patients were classified into ischemic and non-ischemic BRVO based on angiograph. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central foveal thickness (CFT), determined by spectral domain optical coherence tomography, were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.Results: Preoperative mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA ± standard deviation (SD) was 0.52±0.43 and mean CFT ± SD was 489.4±224.9 µm. Postoperative mean BCVA ± SD values were 0.41±0.35, 0.35±0.41, 0.29±0.36, and 0.25±0.41, and mean CFT values were 370.1±148.9, 327.5±157.5, 310.9±154.9, and 274.4±135.3 µm at 1, 3, 6, 12 months, respectively. The mean BCVA was significantly improved at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively (all P

Maiko Inoue, Akira Arakawa, Shin Yamane, Kazuaki Kadonosono Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, Japan Background: The purpose of this study was to assess visual function and vision-related ­quality of life after intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) using a pro re nata regimen for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.Methods: A prospective study of 54 eyes in 54 patients scheduled to undergo IVR for the treatment of exudative age-related macular degeneration was performed. A self-administered, 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) was completed before and 3 and 12 months after the initial IVR treatment. We evaluated logMAR visual acuity and NEI VFQ-25 scores preoperatively and postoperatively. Further, associations between the changes in NEI VFQ-25 scores and patient characteristics were investigated at 12 months. Results: Postoperative best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly when compared with the preoperative visual acuity throughout the 12-month period (P

Shin Yamane,1 Motohiro Kamei,2 Susumu Sakimoto,2 Maiko Inoue,1 Akira Arakawa,1 Mihoko Suzuki,2 Nagakazu Matsumura,2 Kazuaki Kadonosono11Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University Medical Center, Yokohama, 2Department of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, JapanBackground: The purpose of this study was to evaluate visual outcomes of arteriovenous sheathotomy for macular edema due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).Methods: The medical records of 45 eyes from 45 patients who had undergone vitrectomy surgery with arteriovenous sheathotomy for BRVO were studied. Forty-five eyes of 45 patients with a BRVO but without intervention were studied as the control group. The best-corrected visual acuity and central macular thickness were compared between the two groups at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.Results: Improvement of best-corrected visual acuity was 0.42 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) units in the sheathotomy group and 0.22 logMAR units in the control group (P=0.007). The mean postoperative central macular thickness was significantly thinner in the sheathotomy group at 1 month (P=0.01), but not at 3, 6, and 12 months (P=0.75, P=0.81, and P=0.46, respectively). Improvement of best-corrected visual acuity at 12 months was significantly correlated with baseline best-corrected visual acuity, age, duration of symptoms, and sheathotomy (P

uploaded for Revue Suisse de Zoologie by Plazi

The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical role of bone single photon emission tomography (SPET) of the lumbar spine in young persons with persistent lumbar pain which might be due to spondylolysis. Thirty-one bone SPET studies were performed on 25 patients (19 males, 6 females) aged 7-26 years (average 15.6 years) who had suffered lumbar pain associated with physical activity, and who were suspected of having spondylolysis. Planar and SPET images of the lumbar spine were obtained 2-3 h following the injection of 99 Tc m -methylene diphosphonate using a single-head rotating gamma camera. The findings on the bone scintigram were compared with those on the radiograph. Bone scintigraphy at presentation was positive in only 7 of 15 sites of the pars interarticularis defects demonstrated on plain radiographs. On the other hand, seven sites of the pars interarticularis which were normal on the radiograph were positive on bone SPET. As clinical symptoms improved after immobilization using a lumbar corset, bone SPET tended to revert towards normal. The planar image was abnormal in only 8 (42%) of the 19 abnormal sites on the SPET image. A bone SPET study is indicated in patients who are negative on radiological tests and who are still suspected of having spondylolysis. If SPET is positive in these patients, the increased bone uptake is most likely suggestive of a state of 'stress reaction', and may be a good indicator for patient management. If negative, further radiological examinations will be required for proper assessment of the origin of lumbar pain.

Pheidologeton Mayr, 1862 Taxonomy. The genus Pheidologeton is assigned to the Carebara genus group of the tribe Solenopsidini (Bolton 2003). The genus was preliminarily reviewed by Yamane (2000). Workers of Vietnamese species have the following features. Worker polymorphic; head in full-face view oval or subrectangular in minor, subrectangular or subtrapezoidal with roundly expanded vertexal lobe in media and major; frontal carina and antennal scrobe absent; median portion of clypeus not margined laterally by conspicuous carinae; posteromedian portion of clypeus relatively broadly inserted between frontal lobes; median clypeal seta absent; mandible triangular, 4-6 teeth on masticatory margin (teeth more rounded or worn in major); antenna 11-segmented, with 2-segmented club; eye small to moderate in size, sometimes consisting of only a few ommatidia; mesosoma in lateral view relatively slender in minor, but short and robust in major; promesonotum in lateral view usually well raised as a dome, much higher than anterodorsal border of propodeum; promesonotal suture completely absent dorsally in minor, but often conspicuous in major; posterior slope of promesonotal dome often with a prominence in major; metanotal suture weakly impressed dorsally; propodeal spine always present, but variable in size and shape; propodeum lobe low or almost absent; petiole consisting of anterior peduncle and node (but anterior peduncle ill defined from node in major); gastral shoulder distinct to indistinct. The minor worker of Pheidologeton is similar to the minor of Oligomyrmex (for distinguished characters see under Oligomyrmex) and the worker of Lophomyrmex (see under Lophomyrmex). Vietnamese species. One species has been described from Vietnam: varius Santschi (type locality: Ho Chi Minh City). Four additional species have been recognized by us from Vietnam: diversus (Jerdon) [= sp. eg-3] (Nam Cat Tien, Ninh Thuan, Pu Mat, Quang Tri, Tam Dao); trechideros Zhou et Zheng [= sp. eg-1] (Chua Yen Tu, Pu Mat, Tay Yen Tu, Van Ban); vespillo Wheeler [= sp. eg-2] (Ba Vi, Cuc Phuong, Tay Yen Tu); sp. eg-4 [= cf. affinis (Jerdon)] (Binh Chau-Phuoc Buu, Cuc Phuong, Nam Cat Tien, Pu Mat). Bionomics. Pheidologeton diversus usually inhabits urban areas, bare lands, grasslands, forest edges and sparse forests. In contrast, the other Vietnamese species of Pheidologeton inhabit rather developed forests. Pheidologeton conlonies are extremely large and usually occur in soil under logs and stones. Permanent foraging trails, galleries and tunnels extend outward from the nests. A mass of foragers gather various kinds of food such as living and dead invertebrates, honeydew of homopterans and plant matter (nectar, fruits, seeds, etc)., Published as part of Eguchi, K., Viet, B. T. & Yamane, S., 2011, Generic synopsis of the Formicidae of Vietnam (Insecta: Hymenoptera), Part I - Myrmicinae and Pseudomyrmicinae., pp. 1-61 in Zootaxa 2878 on pages 24-25

Tetramorium Mayr, 1855 Taxonomy. The genus Tetramorium is assigned to the tribe Tetramoriini (for a complete taxonomic history see Bolton 2003). The Oriental species were revised by Bolton (1976, 1977). Workers of Vietnamese species have the following features. Worker monomorphic; head in full-face view subrectangular, with rounded posterior corners; frontal carina usually (but not always) long and distinct; antennal scrobe weak or absent; anteromedian margin of clypeus weakly convex, often with a weak emargination at midpoint, lacking any denticles or teeth; an isolated median seta absent; posteromedian portion of clypeus very broadly inserted between frontal lobes; lateral portion of clypeus modified into a distinct ridge or wall in front of antennal insertion; mandible triangular; masticatory margin with apical and 1 or 2 larger preapical teeth followed by some smaller teeth or minute denticles; palp formula 4,3; antennae 11- or 12-segmented, with 3-segmented club; basal rim of shaft of antennal scape often forming an enlarged lobe expanding ventrad; eye medium to large in size; mesosoma in lateral view weakly convex dorsad; promesonotal suture absent dorsally; metanotal groove absent; anterior part of mesopleuron forming a flange projecting over basal part of fore coxa; propodeal spine present, varying in size and shape; propodeal lobe well developed usually as a triangular lamella or spinose projection but sometimes as a subrectangular or round lamella; petiole pedunculate, with distinct node; a tiny denticle or process present on the anteriormost part of ventral face of peduncle (it is often concealed by mesopleuron and or hind coxa in lateral view); gastral shoulder distinct to absent; apex of sting with a small lamellate appendage; head and mesosoma usually strongly reticulate or rugoso-reticulate. The worker of Tetramorium is similar to those of Rhoptromyrmex and Myrmica (for distingusihing characters see under the latter genera) Vietnamese species. Four species have been described from Vietnam: indosinense Wheeler [= sp. eg-13] (Type locality: Ha Noi; other locality: Ba Vi); infraspinosum Karaviev (type locality: Cau Da); kieti Roncin (type locality: Vietnam); secure Roncin (type locality: Vietnam). An additional 21 species have recognized by us from Vietnam: flavipes Emery [= sp. eg-4; = sp. 39 of SKY: Yamane et al., 2003] (Ba Vi, Chua Yen Tu, Cuc Phuong, Nam Cat Tien, Phu Quoc, Pu Mat, Tay Yen Tu, Van Ban); kheperra (Bolton) [= sp. eg-9] (Ba Vi, Phu Quoc, Tay Ye n T u); lanuginosum Mayr [= sp. eg-17] (Ba Vi, Bac Kan, Tam Dao); nipponense Wheeler [= sp. eg-5] (Ba Be, Ba Vi, Cuc Phuong, Sa Pa, My Yen, Pu Mat, Tay Yen Tu, Van Ban); sp. eg-1 (Sa Pa); sp. eg-2 [= kraepelini Forel: Eguchi et al., 2005] (Ba Vi, Nam Cat Tien, Phu Quoc, Pu Mat, Tay Yen Tu); sp. eg-3 [= sp. 32 of SKY: Eguchi et al., 2005] (Ba Vi, Chua Yen Tu, Tam Dao, Tay Yen Tu, Van Ban); sp. eg-6 [cf. pacificum Mayr] (Sa Pa, Pu Mat); sp. eg-7 (Sa Pa); sp. eg-8 (Ba Be); sp. eg-10 (Tay Yen Tu); sp. eg-12 (Ba Vi, Pu Mat); sp. eg-14 (Binh Chau-Phuoc Buu); sp. eg-15 [= bicarinatum (Nylander): Eguchi et al., 2005] (Tam Dao); sp. eg-16 [= smithi Mayr: Eguchi et al., 2005] (Ba Vi); sp. eg-18 [= walshi (Forel): Yamane et al., 2003] (Cuc Phuong, My Yen, Pu Mat); sp. eg-19 (Ba Be); sp. eg-21 (Cuc Phuong); sp. eg-22 (Nam Cat Tien); sp. eg-23 (Nam Cat Tien, Nui Chua); sp. eg-24 (Nam Cat Tien). Bionomics. Tetramorium species inhabit various habitats such as open lands, grasslands, forest edges and well-developed forests. Their nests are usually found in rotting logs, twigs, wood fragments, under stones and in soil. Workers forage mainly on the ground., Published as part of Eguchi, K., Viet, B. T. & Yamane, S., 2011, Generic synopsis of the Formicidae of Vietnam (Insecta: Hymenoptera), Part I - Myrmicinae and Pseudomyrmicinae., pp. 1-61 in Zootaxa 2878 on page 30

Myrmica Latreille, 1804 Taxonomy. The genus Myrmica is assigned to the tribe Myrmicini (Bolton 2003). The Vietnamese species were recently revised by Radchenko & Elmes (2001) and Radchenko et al. (2006), and the workers have the following features. Worker monomorphic; head in full-face view oval; preoccipital carina distinct dorsally and laterally; frontal carina and antennal scrobe absent; anteromedian margin of clypeus weakly convex, lacking an isolated median seta; posteromedian portion of clypeus broadly inserted between frontal lobes; antennae 12-segmented, without distinct club; eye medium sized, convex well laterad; palp formula 6,4; mandible triangular; masticatory margin with apical and 1-2 distinct preapical teeth followed by several smaller teeth or denticles; promesonotum in lateral view slightly raised; promesonotal suture absent or vestigial dorsally; metanotal groove more or less distinctly impressed dorsally; propodeal spine long and sharp; propodeal lobe well developed as a triangular or spinose projection; middle and hind tibiae usually each with a single pectinate spur; petiole pedunculate, with low node; subpetiolar process present as a small tooth anteroventrally; dorsal part of postpetiole in lateral view leaning posterodorsad; gastral shoulder absent; sting well developed, without any apical appendage; head and mesosoma usually strongly reticulate or rugoso-reticulate. The worker of Myrmica is somewhat similar to those of Aphaenogaster (see under Aphaenogaster) and Tetramorium. However, in the worker of Tetramorium, the tibial spurs of the middle and hind legs are simple or absent, and the apex of sting bears a small lamellate appendage. Vietnamese species. Five species have been known from Vietnam: angulata Radchenko & Elmes (Sa Pa); schoedli Radchenko, Elmes & Bui (Sa Pa); serica Wheeler (Sa Pa); titanica Radchenko & Elmes (Sa Pa); yamanei Radchenko & Elmes (Sa Pa). Bionomics. Myrmica species have so far been found exclusively in the mountains of Fan Si Pan above approximately1,700 m alt. They inhabit sparse to well-developed forests and nest in rotting logs, wood fragments, under stones, in soil around tree bases, etc. Workers forage on the ground and lower vegetation., Published as part of Eguchi, K., Viet, B. T. & Yamane, S., 2011, Generic synopsis of the Formicidae of Vietnam (Insecta: Hymenoptera), Part I - Myrmicinae and Pseudomyrmicinae., pp. 1-61 in Zootaxa 2878 on page 21