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Quantum computers have a potential for solving quantum chemistry problems with higher accuracy than classical computers. Quantum computing quantum Monte Carlo (QC-QMC) is a QMC with a trial state prepared in quantum circuit, which is employed to obtain the ground state with higher accuracy than QMC alone. We propose an algorithm combining QC-QMC with a hybrid tensor network to extend the applicability of QC-QMC beyond a single quantum device size. In a two-layer quantum-quantum tree tensor, our algorithm for the larger trial wave function can be executed than preparable wave function in a device. Our algorithm is evaluated on the Heisenberg chain model, graphite-based Hubbard model, hydrogen plane model, and MonoArylBiImidazole using full configuration interaction QMC. Our algorithm can achieve energy accuracy (specifically, variance) several orders of magnitude higher than QMC, and the hybrid tensor version of QMC gives the same energy accuracy as QC-QMC when the system is appropriately decomposed. Moreover, we develop a pseudo-Hadamard test technique that enables efficient overlap calculations between a trial wave function and an orthonormal basis state. In a real device experiment by using the technique, we obtained almost the same accuracy as the statevector simulator, indicating the noise robustness of our algorithm. These results suggests that the present approach will pave the way to electronic structure calculation for large systems with high accuracy on current quantum devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground and excited state calculations at key geometries, such as the Frank–Condon (FC) and the conical intersection (CI) geometries, are essential for understanding photophysical properties. To compute these geometries on noisy intermediate-scale quantum devices, we proposed a strategy that combined a chemistry-inspired spin-restricted ansatz and a new excited state calculation method called the variational quantum eigensolver under automatically-adjusted constraints (VQE/AC). Unlike the conventional excited state calculation method, called the variational quantum deflation, the VQE/AC does not require the pre-determination of constraint weights and has the potential to describe smooth potential energy surfaces. To validate this strategy, we performed the excited state calculations at the FC and CI geometries of ethylene and phenol blue at the complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) level of theory, and found that the energy errors were at most 2 kcal mol−1 even on the ibm_kawasaki device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated patients with thrombophilia and current peripartum management practices based on national surveillance in Japan. Between 2014 and 2018, antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC) and protein S (PS) deficiency were observed in 84, 67, and 443 pregnancies, respectively, with incidence rates among total deliveries at 0.012%, 0.009%, and 0.061%. The percentage of institutions that measured both antigens and AT, PC, and PS activity for the diagnosis of thrombophilia was 50.2%, and 46.9% of institutions did not perform gene analysis. Prophylactic anticoagulation therapy was used in the ante- and postpartum management of patients with AT deficiency at 67.1% and 66.3% of institutions, most commonly with 10,000 units of unfractionated heparin. Ante- and postpartum management of PC and PS deficiency was performed at 75.3% and 67.1% of institutions. Approximately half of the institutions performed peripartum prophylactic AT supplementation for AT deficiency. Low trough AT activity before supplementation was most commonly 50 ≤ < 70%, and the highest AT supplementation was 1500 ≤ < 3000 units. The number of pregnancies with AT, PC and PS deficiency might be as many as 29, 23 and 151 every year in Japan if complete answers were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Japanese obstetrical hemorrhage recommendations state that not only pregnant women with an obstetrical disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score ≥ 8 points but also those with fibrinogen levels ≤ 1.5 g/L have a high risk of maternal death and warrant blood transfusion. Our aim was to demonstrate the potential of fibrinogen levels ≤ 1.5 g/L as predictors of a Japanese obstetrical DIC score of ≥ 8. We included 595 participants with blood loss ≥ 1000 mL during vaginal delivery or ≥ 2000 mL during cesarean delivery. The frequency and volume of red blood cell (RBC), fresh-frozen plasma, platelet concentrate (PC), and fibrinogen administration in women with a DIC score of ≥ 8 and fibrinogen levels of ≤ 1.5 g/L were significantly higher than controls (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that a score of ≥ 3 was associated with RBC or fibrinogen administration and a score of ≥ 5 was associated with PC transfusion. Fibrinogen levels ≤ 1.89 g/L and ≤ 2.44 g/L were associated with PC transfusion and fibrinogen administration, respectively. Fibrinogen levels ≤ 1.5 g/L may have similar potential to a DIC score of ≥ 8 points for detecting obstetrical DIC in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quantum chemistry study of the first singlet (S1) and triplet (T1) excited states of phenylsulfonyl-carbazole compounds, proposed as useful thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters for organic light emitting diode (OLED) applications, was performed with the quantum Equation-Of-Motion Variational Quantum Eigensolver (qEOM-VQE) and Variational Quantum Deflation (VQD) algorithms on quantum simulators and devices. These quantum simulations were performed with double zeta quality basis sets on an active space comprising the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO, LUMO) of the TADF molecules. The differences in energy separations between S1 and T1 (ΔEST) predicted by calculations on quantum simulators were found to be in excellent agreement with experimental data. Differences of 17 and 88 mHa with respect to exact energies were found for excited states by using the qEOM-VQE and VQD algorithms, respectively, to perform simulations on quantum devices without error mitigation. By utilizing state tomography to purify the quantum states and correct energy values, the large errors found for unmitigated results could be improved to differences of, at most, 4 mHa with respect to exact values. Consequently, excellent agreement could be found between values of ΔEST predicted by quantum simulations and those found in experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diarrhea post-antibiotic use is primarily attributed to Clostridium difficile infection (CDI)-induced mucosal lesions, and evidence of CDI in patients undergoing chemotherapy without prior antibiotic treatment is also increasing. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between chemotherapy use and diarrhea. This study aimed to determine whether the incidence of CDI increased in patients with lung cancer undergoing chemotherapy even without prior antibiotic treatment.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study and investigated the presence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and its toxins in patients who experience diarrhea during chemotherapy. If grade 2 or higher diarrhea was noted, a stool culture was performed to detect anaerobic organisms and C. difficile toxins A and B.Results: A total of 345 consecutive patients (492 in terms of chemotherapy regimens) were enrolled in the study. Grade 2 or higher diarrhea was observed in patients using 36 (7.3%) of these regimens, among which CDI without prior antibiotic exposure was confirmed in patients using 8 regimens (22.2%).Conclusions: CDI may remain undetected in patients undergoing chemotherapy even in those who had not received antibiotic treatment previously, unless due attention is paid to its possibility. Testing for C. difficile toxins is highly recommended to expedite timely treatment for diarrhea in such patients. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between chemotherapy drug use and CDI to facilitate prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only a limited number of case reports documenting the off-label use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in Japanese patients with postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) have been published. Data on Japanese cases with severe PPH in which rFVIIa was administered were collected. Data of obstetric haemorrhage patients treated with rFVIIa between 2005 and 2010 were retrospectively collected throughout Japan. The data included patients' background information, blood product requirements, dose/timing of rFVIIa, and adverse effects. Treating clinicians subjectively assessed the effect of rFVIIa on bleeding at each administration using four categories: "Stopped", "Decreased", "Unchanged", and "Increased". A total of 25 women received rFVIIa for the treatment of obstetric haemorrhage in 18 institutions. After the final administration, bleeding was "stopped" in 16 patients (64%), "decreased" in eight patients (32%), and "unchanged" in one patient (4%). A significant reduction in blood product requirement was observed following the first rFVIIa administration. Hysterectomy was required in two patients (15.4%) after rFVIIa administration. Four asymptomatic thrombotic events were reported in three patients. These results suggest that rFVIIa can be a beneficial therapeutic option that can reduce blood loss and prevent hysterectomy in Japanese patients with massive obstetric bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cercospora yakushimensis is proposed as a new combination, Pseudocercospora yakushimensis comb. nov., and the morphology of the species is characterized from herbarium specimens, including the type. Six additional species belonging to the genus Cercospora and its allied genera are newly added to the Japanese mycoflora, namely, Cercospora dioscoreae- pyrifoliae on Dioscorea tokoro, Pseudocercospora catalpigena on Catalpa ovata, Pseudocercospora coriariae on Coriaria japonica, Pseudocercospora lythri on two species of Lythrum, Pseudocercospora pteroceltidis on Celtis boninensis, and Passalora puncta on Foeniculum vulgare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

novel technique to determine the position of spacecraft orbits is proposed. The technique is based on the cross-correlation function of HF SAR images and is able to determine the relative position of orbits with an accuracy of ∼ λ/4 or better, where λ is the wavelength of the HF radar pulse at its center frequency. The performance of the proposed technique was confirmed by simulation which was carried out under the condition of design facts of the SELENE LRS mission. The highly accurate orbit positioning enables precise superposition of HF SAR images so that the inherent mirror image ambiguity problem of HF SAR imaging is resolved to obtain a quality SAR image of the HF band. In addition ambitious 2D-SAR processing would be possible when the above accuracy is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is exceptionally critical to infection treatment and control in the health-care setting. MRSA has been detected at high levels in Japan, and the frequency of MRSA infection must be ascertained to provide a baseline with which to assess various infection control efforts. We studied MRSA infection rate at a general hospital in Japan in all 65,135 inpatients of Sendai Kousei Hospital from January 2004 to December 2008. MRSA's prevalence among strains of S. aureus and the rate of MRSA detection were studied. Identification of MRSA infection is according to the laboratory-based ward liaison surveillance. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of vancomycin, teicoplanin, and arbekacin for the various isolates were determined. During the period studied, there were 621 MRSA-positive patients. MRSA prevalence among strains of S. aureus was 45.5% (621/1,365). The rate of MRSA detection in inpatients was 0.953/100 inpatients. Of the 621 patients from whom MRSA was isolated, 51 (8.2%) had an MRSA infection (MRSA infection rate 0.078/100 inpatients). MRSA was often detected from the respiratory tract, but this seldom led to infection, since many of those affected were merely carriers. MICs against MRSA was 0.5-4 μg/ml for vancomycin, 0.5-16 μg/ml for teicoplanin, and 0.5 to >16 μg/ml for arbekacin, with no tendency for tolerance observed for these drugs. Findings suggest that whereas MRSA remains prevalent, there is a low incidence of infection in a general hospital in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, four fungi collected in Nansei Islands are reported. One is Strasseria garciniae, which must be transferred to the genus Phyllosticta. This fungus was collected in Okinawa Main Island and Iriomote Island. The other three fungi are newly added to the Japanese fungal flora. Phyllosticta ghaesembillae on Codiaeum variegatum and Cercospora asplenii on Asplenium antiquum were collected in Yoron Island. The last one, Coniella australiensis on Eucalyptus robusta was collected in Okinawa Main Island. Their morphology and symptoms on the host plant are described, with some mycological notes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of Pt precursor and pretreatment on hydrodesulfurization (HDS) activity of Pt/Al-PILM catalyst was examined to prepare highly active Pt-supported HDS catalyst. The order of HDS activities of Pt/alumina-pillared clay montmorillonite (Al-PILM) catalysts prepared by various Pt precursors was Pt(C5H7O2)2 > H2PtCl6 · 6H2O > [Pt(NH3)4](NO3)2 > [Pt(NH3)4]Cl2 · H2O > H2Pt(OH)6. This order was in accordance with that of Pt dispersion. Thus, high Pt dispersion is essential factor to prepare highly active Pt/Al-PILM catalyst for HDS reaction. On the other hand, the effect of pretreatment on the HDS activities of Pt/Al-PILM catalysts prepared by various Pt precursors was also evaluated. The UC-TPS Pt/Al-PILM catalyst showed the highest HDS activity among various pretreated Pt/Al-PILM catalysts, in which uncalcined catalyst was sulfided by temperature programmed sulfidation (TPS). We assumed that high HDS activity of UC-TPS Pt/Al-PILM catalyst is caused by partly sulfided Pt particle with high dispersion. It is concluded that the highly active Pt/Al-PILM catalyst for the HDS reaction could be prepared by using Pt(C5H7O2)2 as a precursor and UC-TPS treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven species of the genus Cosmospora collected in Japan are reported in this article. Among them, Cosmospora japonica is described as a new species. Cosmospora henanensis, C. rishbethii, and C. triqua, all of which are known only from their type localities, are added to the Japanese mycobiota. The other species, C. chaetopsinaecatenulatae, C. diminuta, and C. peponum, are new records for Japan. Additional distribution records are given for Cosmospora species hitherto known in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights a study which proposes a new sophisticated optimizing method based on a genetic algorithm (GA) for spatial shaping. It reports that the researchers prepared discrete electrode voltages to linearly change displacement as utilized gene of the initial population in GA. It concludes that by using uniform crossover without mutation in the method, an arbitrary spatial beam shape quasi-flattop can be made.

A ring spot disease of Aloe vera was found on leaves of potted seedlings of Aloe vera in Hachijojima and Chichijima Islands, Tokyo. From tissue of ring spot lesions, a fungus producing Fusarium-type conidia was consistently isolated. After 1 month, reddish perithecia of nectriaceous fungus had formed on the colonies of this isolate on PDA. These nectriaceous and Fusarium fungi were identified as Haematonectria haematococca and Fusarium sp., respectively. From a single ascospore isolation, the former was confirmed to be the teleomorph of the Fusarium sp. Typical ring spot lesions were reproduced by artificial inoculations using single ascospore and single conidium isolates. Inoculations of five species of genus Aloe revealed that they were highly susceptible except for A. arborescens. This is the first report of a disease on Aloe caused by H. haematococca (anamorph: Fusarium sp.) in Japan, and it was named aloe ring spot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scolecostigmina chibaensis on Pinus parviflora is described as a new species. Cercospora cryptomeriicola Sawada on Cryptomeria japonica is transferred to the genus Pseudocercospora, based on the morphological characteristics of the type specimen and newly collected specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the result of morphological and the phylogenetic analyses, three Bionectria (Bionectriaceae: Hypocreales) species are added to the mycobiota of Japan. Among them, one found in Okinawa and Kagoshima Prefectures is described as a new species, Bionectria pseudostriatopsis (anamorph: Clonostachys pseudostriatopsis). The other two, B. grammicospora and B. sporodochialis, are new records from Japan. Additional distribution records are given for Bionectria species hitherto known in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five species of the genus Neonectria (Nectriaceae, Hypocreales) collected from Japan are described with discussion and illustrated. Among them, one found on dead twigs of a broad-leaved tree is described as a new species, Neonectria tokyoensis (anamorph: Cylindrocarpon tokyoense). Neonectria cinnamomea and Neo. discophora are newly added to the Japanese mycobiota. Nectria azureo- ostiolata, recorded in 1977 from Japan, is reexamined as a synonym of Neo. jungneri. Neonectria radicicola, teleomorph of Cy. destructans, a well-known soil-borne plant pathogen in Japan, is newly recorded from Japan. Additional distribution records are provided for the Neonectria species hitherto recorded in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We isolated 629 fungi from 1296 berry seeds of solanaceous plants, including tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum), eggplant ( Solanum melongena), bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum), and red pepper ( Capsicum annuum var. annuum) preserved for long and short terms. The isolates were classified into 22 genera excluding unidentified fungi, and the fungal floras were divided into two types: the tomato–eggplant and pepper groups. The results of cluster analysis with unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic average also supported these groups. Most tomato seeds infested with Geotrichum candidum germinated and grew the same as uninfested seeds. Cladosporium sphaerospermum and Arthrinium sp. isolated from eggplant seeds strongly suppressed germination, and Penicillium variabile suppressed seminal root elongation on eggplant. Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, and Myrothecium verrucaria detected from red pepper or bell pepper seeds were pathogenic to the fruits and the seedlings after artificial inoculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nectrioid fungus with its sporodochial Cylindrocarpon anamorph, collected on dead bark of Luchu pines ( Pinus luchuensis) in the southern part of Japan (Kagoshima and Okinawa), having perithecia slightly constricted just below the papilla and conidia with a strongly hooked and acute apical cell, belongs to the genus Neonectria according to the recent concept of the Nectriaceae (Hypocreales). Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the tub2 region of β-tubulin genes also supports the morphological consideration. This fungus is described as Neonectria amamiensis (anamorph: Cylindrocarpon amamiense). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungal population in the air and on developing fruit on a nonchemical banana farm in the Philippines was estimated from January 1998 to December 2001 to follow the source, determine the origin, and establish the population dynamics of various fungi associated with postharvest diseases of banana. Forty fungal genera were found in the air on a nonchemical banana farm and 26 were found on developing fruit. Spore density in the air and on the surface of developing fruit varied with seasonal patterns. Fungi of various species were detected on the farm and on developing banana fruit, but it has not been established as to when a specific fungus arrived at the farm and on the fruit. The results suggest that the source and origin of fungi associated with postharvest diseases of banana fruit in Japan imported from the Philippines were the farm itself, and the fungal association with banana fruit began at flower emergence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the third report of the present series, four new and noteworthy plant-inhabiting fungi are described and illustrated. Pseudodidymaria symplocarpi on Symplocarpus nipponicus is reported as a new species. Cheirospora botryospora and Exosporium mexicanum are new to Japan. Pittosporum tobira is a new host plant for Flosculomyces floridaensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among plant-inhabiting fungi collected in June 2001 and in September 2002 on Hachijo Island, Tokyo, four fungi are described in this article. They consist of two new species, namelyStagonospora hachijoensisonMiscanthus sinensisvar.condensatusandAscochyta ixoraeonIxora chinensis, and two fungi newly added to the Japanese mycoflora, namelyDiscosiella cylindrosporaonCallistemon speciosumandRobillarda sessilisonParthenocissus tricuspidatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of a survey on plant diseases and their pathogenic fungi in the Nansei Islands, some noteworthy fungi were collected. Among them, four fungi newly found in Japan were described with some mycological and pathological notes. These species are Septoria gardeniae Savelli, causing circular leaf spot of Gardenia; Phyllosticta cordylinophila Young apud Stevens, causing brown leaf spot of Cordyline; Phyllosticta drummondii Vanef et van der Aa, causing brown needle blight of Araucaria; and Phyllachora minuta Hennings, causing tar spot of Hibiscus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A species of Griphosphaerioma with a Sarcostroma anamorph was collected from the rough bark of Zelkova serrata. Based on comparison of morphology with Griphosphaerioma kansensis, the fungus was identified as Griphosphaerioma zelkovicola sp. nov. The Sarcostroma anamorph derived from a single ascospore of the fungus was morphologically identical to a species of Sarcostroma that was also found on the same bark material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June 1996, a leaf spot disease widely occurred in Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) orchards in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. The main diagnostic symptom was ring spot on the leaves and calyxes of young fruits; in severe cases, lesions developed on more than half of the area of the leaf, resulting in early defoliation. Based on morphological and pathological studies of the isolated fungi, it was shown that Pestalotiopsis longiseta, P. glandicola, P. acaciae, and P. crassiuscula were responsible for the diseases. These fungi, except P. longiseta, were found to be new pathogens of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown leaf spot of Lantana camara L. and L. montevidensis Briq. caused by Pseudocercospora guianensis (Stevens et Solheim) Deighton was found in Shizuoka, Chiba, Kagoshima and Okinawa Prefectures. Pathogenicity of isolates from the leaf spots was examined, and a taxonomic study as well as identification of the causal fungus was carried out. Similar leaf spots appeared on 7 to 25 days after inoculation with the isolates on Lantana spp., and the same fungus was re-isolated from the inoculated leaves. Two hitherto known Pseudocercospora species on Lantana, P. guianensis and P. formosana, were considered to be variations within one species, and we identified the causal fungus as P. guianensis due to priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six fungi isolated from plant materials in Japan are described. The first is Pseudohalonectria aomoriensis sp. nov. (Lasiosphaeriaceae). It differs from other known species of the genus Pseudohalonectria in the dimensions of its asci and ascospores. The second, Monodictys abuensis, is newly added to the mycoflora of Japan. Its host, Zelkova serrata, is also newly recorded. Three others found on new host plants are Dictyochaeta simplex on Quercus myrsinaefolia and Bladhia crispa, Colletotrichum dematium on Aucuba japonica var. borealis, and Nectria mammoidea var. rubi on Cercidiphyllum japonicum. The sixth, Trochophora fasciculata, a Daphniphyllum sooty leaf spot fungus renamed by Goos from T. simplex, is reported with a full list of synonyms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study that proposed a configuration of a symmetrical dual-telescopic two-rod resonator that is suitable for application of high-power continuous wave and pulsed solid-state lasers demonstrated by a flash-lamp-pumped Nd:YAG laser. Details on theoretical considerations; Results and discussion; Conclusions.

Three specimens of a new Pestalosphaeria species were obtained from a twig of Quercus myrsinaefolia from Kumamoto Pref., and from leaves of Rhododendron hybridum and Ricinus communis from Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Pref. The collected materials were kept moist for 1 to 2 mo after collection. Monoascospore isolates from each specimen produced identical colonies with black slimy masses of conidia on them. Morphological characteristics of the conidia accorded well with those of Pestalotiopsis neglecta not only hitherto recorded but also formed on the same specimen. Hence, Pestalosphaeria gubae sp. nov. is proposed for the new species, as the teleomorph of Pestalotiopsis neglecta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which described a method of simultaneous remote sensing of atmospheric wind and temperature by a ultraviolet Rayleigh lidar. Simultaneous velocity and temperature measurements; Discussion on filter option; Conclusions.

Presents information on a study which demonstrated a laser diode-pumped passively Q-switched single-frequency neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG)/chromium[sup4+]:YAG lasers. Influence of a chromium[sup4+]:YAG saturable absorber on the polarization state and longitudinal mode of passively Q-switched lasers; Experimental results and discussion; Conclusions.

Sequences of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were examined to infer a molecular phylogeny of small-spored Phomopsis isolates, designated W-type (mainly white colony, weakly virulent, bearing both alpha and beta conidia at 25°C on PDA) and G-type (mainly gray colony, highly virulent, bearing only alpha conidia at 25°C on PDA), and P. amygdali from fruit trees. Phomopsis G-type and P. amygdali were a monophyletic group distinct from the W-type. The W-type isolates were divided into two monophyletic groups. Diaporthe citri, D. tanakae, P. asparagi, P. viticola, P. vitimegaspora and D. nomurai, which are morphologically distinguishable from W- and G-types, differed from the W- and G-types in molecular phylogenetic analyses. PCR-RFLP analysis of rDNA ITS regions was useful to distinguish each of the Phomopsis species and groups using three restriction enzymes. In mating tests, W-type isolates from fruit trees were heterothallic and inter-fertile even between isolates belonging to the different monophyletic groups. Isolates of the G-type and P. amygdali collected in Japan were cross-fertile. Some isolates from Lunaria annua, Ulmus glabra and Juglans regia belonged to one of the two monophyletic groups of the W-type and were cross-fertile with W-type isolates from Rosaceous fruit trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently we have reported that sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin, induce loss of viability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with longer incubation periods. In the present study we examined the effects of sub-MICs of macrolide antibiotics on protein synthesis and the expression of heat shock proteins (Gro-EL) in P. aeruginosa and the association of these factors with the viability of P. aeruginosa. In seven strains of P. aeruginosa clinical isolates, inhibition of protein synthesis was generally observed in bacteria grown on agar with sub-MIC azithromycin (8 μg/ml) at 24 h, and this was followed by loss of viability after an additional 24-h incubation. The inhibition of protein synthesis was shown in bacteria treated with sub-MICs of erythromycin and clarithromycin, but not with sub-MICs of other antibiotics examined (josamycin, tobramycin, ofloxacin, clindamycin, and ceftazidime) even at relatively high sub-MICs. In the heat shock condition (45°C), strong expression of the heat shock protein Gro-EL was induced in bacteria grown on antibiotic-free medium, whereas there was a delay of such a response in bacteria exposed to 4 μg/ml of azithromycin. Reflecting these results, an abrupt reduction of viability in azithromycin-treated bacteria was observed within 3 h in the heat shock condition. Western blot analysis, using specific antibody for Gro-EL, demonstrated that erythromycin, clarithromycin, and azithromycin, at concentrations of 0.5–2 μg/ml, inhibited the expression of lower-molecular weight Gro-EL bands in the constitutive state. These results indicated that macrolides, at concentrations far below the MICs, suppressed protein synthesis in P. aeruginosa, an effect which may be associated with the inhibition of P. aeruginosa virulence and its loss of viability with longer incubation. Moreover, it is likely that the macrolides may sensitize bacteria to stresses, as these antibiotics induced alterations in a major stress protein, Gro-EL, in constitutive and inducible states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the third report of the present series, five species of Cercospora sensu lato described by Japanese mycologists were transferred to the genus Pseudocercospora after detailed reexamination. They are Pseudocercospora photiniae, P. phrymae, P. stephanandrae, P. vaccini and P. kirishimensis. Pseudocercospora photiniae was retained as an independent species, not regarded as a synonym of P. eriobotryae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this second report of the present series, six species of Cercospora described in Japan were transferred to the genus Pseudocercospora after detailed reexamination. They are Pseudocercospora abeliae, P. chionanthi-retusi, P. corylopsidis, P. ehretiae, P. naitoi and P. paulowniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms of toughening in an intermetallic matrix composite were determined by FRASTA, a technique that reconstructs microfailure details of a fracture event by comparing the topographies of conjugate fracture surfaces. Graphic portrayals of the interaction of a crack front with microstructure features are presented for a forged gamma titanium aluminide reinforced with 20 vol pct, 300-µm-diameter, 30-µm-thick TiCb platelets. The threefold toughness increase relative to unreinforced material is attributed to (1) drag on the crack front by the TiCb platelets, (2) bridging of the crack faces by the TiCb platelets, and (3) deflection of the crack front by microcracks in the process zone that nucleate and grow out-of-plane at TiCb platelets. The fractographic results explain discrepancies between measured and predicted toughnesses, provide the mechanistic understanding and microfailure data needed to develop more reliable models, and suggest microstructural modifications for developing more fracture-resistant materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lidar network system consisting of two Mie scattering lidars and one differential absorption lidar was developed to measure the atmospheric environment in Jakarta. The three lidars were installed at three locations in Jakarta to study atmospheric boundary layer structure and transportation of atmospheric pollutants. The Mie scattering lidars employ compact flashlamp pumped Nd:YAG lasers operated at 1064 nm fundamental. They are installed in shelters and directed vertically. One of the Mie lidar has a rotating wedged window for scanning conically to measure wind velocity using a correlation method. The DIAL system employs two Nd:YAG laser-pumped optical parametric oscillators. The DIAL is designed to measure distribution of ozone and SO2 in the near UV region, and NO2 in the 450-nm region. The system is installed in a shelter and has a full scanning capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new incoherent Doppler lidar scheme is proposed using a high resolution Mach-Zehnder interferometer discriminator with sinusoidal transmission functions. A two-channel differential discrimination technique is developed which provides high sensitive velocity measurement. The aerosol and molecular backscatter signals can be separately measured and the backscatter ratio obtained. Principle of the measurement is described and the characteristics of this technique are analyzed and compared. Numerical calculation for a moderate size 1.064 μ lidar shows that an accuracy better than 1 m/s for the velocity measurement and 18% for the backscatter ratio measurement can be obtained up to a height of 10 km by a 500 shot average. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New perennial canker diseases ofAbies veitchiiandAcer crataegifoliumare described. Pathogenicity of the causal fungus was confirmed on stems of youngAbiesandAcertrees using two monoascospore isolates from the perithecia from the two tree species. The causal fungus, producingNectria-state-teleomorph andCylindrocarpon-anamorph, was identified asNectria castaneicola. It was then transferred to the genusNeonectria, asN. castaneicola(W. Yamam. et Oyasu) Tak. Kobay. et Hirooka, comb. nov. followed by the recent concept of Nectriaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fungus that formed white colonies with greenish black spore masses was isolated from diseased mulberry leaves in Gunma Prefecture, Japan, in 1995, 1999, and 2000. It was pathogenic to mulberry. The fungus was identified withMyrothecium verrucaria. It has been added to the list of pathogens that cause Myrothecium leaf spot of mulberry and is identified for the first time as a plant pathogen in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A leaf spot disease on sweet basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) was observed in Chiba Prefecture in 1997. The lesions were amphigenous, circular to irregular, hygrophanous, dark brown. Stromata were amphigenous, composed of a few brown cells. Conidia with a thickened truncate base, filiform to cylindrical, hyaline, were produced from conidiophores with thickened conidial scars. These morphological characteristics agreed with those of Cercospora guatemalensis Mueller et Chupp. This species was new to Japan. The symptoms appeared 10 days after inoculation and the inoculated fungus was re-isolated. Artificial sporulation and detection from commercial seeds were not successful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new disease, found on fan columbine in August of 1997, first appeared as necrotic spots on leaves and within a week caused wilting of all the leaves. Fungal mycelia bound aerial parts of the plants together, formed mats of mycelia and eventually killed the plants. The pathogen, isolated from the infected leaves and stalks, was identified as Rhizoctonia solani AG1-IB in respect to hyphal anastomosis and culture types. The common name of web blight is proposed for this new occurrence on fan columbine (Kumonosu-byo in Japanese). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]