Search

A scoliid wasp, Campsomeriella annulata annulata (Fabricius, 1793) (Hymenoptera: Scoliidae), was observed foraging on Firmiana simplex flowers that had fallen onto shrubs in an urban park in central Japan. The wasp inserted its glossa into the tubular corolla of each fallen flower, foraging from eight different fallen male flowers within five minutes before flying away. This finding suggests that scoliid wasps may engage in atypical flower visitation, or that foraging from fallen flowers could reduce interspecific competition for floral resources.

Past works on partially diffusive models of diseases typically rely on a strong assumption regarding the initial data of their infection-related compartments in order to demonstrate uniform persistence in the case that the basic reproduction number $ \mathcal{R}_0 $ is above 1. Such a model for avian influenza was proposed, and its uniform persistence was proven for the case $ \mathcal{R}_0 > 1 $ when all of the infected bird population, recovered bird population and virus concentration in water do not initially vanish. Similarly, a work regarding a model of the Ebola virus disease required that the infected human population does not initially vanish to show an analogous result. We introduce a modification on the standard method of proving uniform persistence, extending both of these results by weakening their respective assumptions to requiring that only one (rather than all) infection-related compartment is initially non-vanishing. That is, we show that, given $ \mathcal{R}_0 > 1 $, if either the infected bird population or the viral concentration are initially nonzero anywhere in the case of avian influenza, or if any of the infected human population, viral concentration or population of deceased individuals who are under care are initially nonzero anywhere in the case of the Ebola virus disease, then their respective models predict uniform persistence. The difficulty which we overcome here is the lack of diffusion, and hence the inability to apply the minimum principle, in the equations of the avian influenza virus concentration in water and of the population of the individuals deceased due to the Ebola virus disease who are still in the process of caring.

Pink muhly grass Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lamark) Trinius is a perennial, tussock-forming grass that is native to North and Central America. The reddish-purple coloration of the spikes of this species has resulted in this grass becoming popular as an ornamental plant around the world. Interestingly, very few insects have been reported to be associated with this grass. I therefore examined arthropod assemblages on M. capillaris in two urban parks in central Japan in autumn and found that the aphid Hysteroneura setariae (Thomas, 1878) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and its natural ladybird predator Coccinella septempunctata L., 1758 (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) occurred at high densities at one of the parks (ca. 9000 vs 3.4 individuals/m2). Other insect pests, such as the moth Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner, 1808) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and mirid bugs were also present, but at markedly lower densities. Since H. setariae is not a pest in Japan and C. septempunctata is a beneficial predator, M. capillaris could be used as a banker plant in agricultural fields as well as in urban green spaces.

Pineapple lilies Eucomis autumnalis (Mill.) Chitt. and Eucomis comosa Houtt. ex. Wehrh. are endemic herbaceous plants in southern Africa but are planted as ornamental bulbous plants globally. The flowers are known to be primarily pollinated by pompilid wasps in their native range. In a Japanese botanical garden, Blattella nipponica Asahina, 1963 cockroaches visited the inflorescences of the two Eucomis species, fed on the floral nectar, and used the comae (i.e., leaf-like tufts on the top of inflorescences) as physical shelters and transported the pollen, thereby resulting in a fruit set. Ants, flies, and beetles were also observed to visit the flowers but did not touch the anthers or stigmas. These observations suggest that ground-dwelling cockroaches can act as pollinators of Eucomis flowers in an ex-situ setting.

Repairing, remanufacturing, and refurbishing high value metal components are crucial to move towards a more sustainable economy. Nowadays, repairing operations on high value parts, such as dies, are generally performed using time-consuming manual approaches that rely on the operator’s expertise. The research idea of this paper is to develop a retrofit kit to provide additive capabilities to an existing milling machine, allowing automatic repairing of components thanks to a fast switch between additive and machining operations without a relevant economic investment such the acquisition of a brand-new machine: the final cost of the solution is lower than 10% with respect to the mean cost of a 5-axis milling machine. The additive technology used in this work is Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) that is characterized by a higher deposition rate and a simpler and cost-effective equipment with respect to other techniques (e.g., laser cladding). The design of the system is illustrated in the paper together with the analysis of the results achieved repairing a test case: a die casting mold made of AISI H13 tool steel.

Many insects masquerade as parts of plants, such as bark or leaves, or mimic poisonous organisms in order to defend themselves against predators. However, recent studies indicate that plants may mimic insects and other arthropods to deter herbivores. Here, I report visually similar white structures of plants and arthropods in Japan and suggest they are part of a mimicry complex. Young shoots covered with white trichomes or waxy substances may mimic wax-producing insects, such as woolly aphids, coccids and caterpillars, potentially resulting in reduced herbivory. Since wax-producing insects would reduce plant quality and quantity, be distasteful and attract natural enemies, herbivorous insects and mammals may avoid such white shoots. Furthermore, fungus-infected insects, gregarious braconid cocoons, spider egg sacs and froth made by froghopper nymphs or blasticotomid sawfly larvae are also conspicuously white and impose risks for herbivorous insects. Thus, these white structures may be mimicry models for white shoots and are likely to be part of a defensive mimicry complex. Although this study focuses on defence against herbivores, there are simultaneous physiological roles for white colouration that will not be discussed in depth here.

Differences in the time of occurrence of both sexes of adult ladybirds, which reflect differences in the longevity and reproductive strategies of the sexes, is important from the perspective of applied entomology, including biological control, as well as basic entomology. Nevertheless, there is little field census data on this topic. We investigated the seasonal occurrence of both sexes of Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) in Osaka City, central Japan, from 2003 to 2011. Female adults tended to appear earlier than males after hibernation or aestivation. That males never appeared earlier than females during the nine year period of this study indicate that protogyny occurs after hibernation and aestivation in this species.

We study the global stability issue of the reaction-convection-diffusion cholera epidemic PDE model and show that the basic reproduction number serves as a threshold parameter that predicts whether cholera will persist or become globally extinct. Specifically, when the basic reproduction number is beneath one, we show that the disease-free-equilibrium is globally attractive. On the other hand, when the basic reproduction number exceeds one, if the infectious hosts or the concentration of bacteria in the contaminated water are not initially identically zero, we prove the uniform persistence result and that there exists at least one positive steady state.

This research has been conducted to develop computer aided manufacturing software, which can generate NC programs for a five-axis directed energy deposition (DED) type additive manufacturing system with following three focuses: 1. How to maintain consistent formation of a melt pool on the surface of the workpiece. 2. How to generate three-dimensional deposition path efficiently when a 3D part model is given. 3. How to control process parameters during additive operation. For focus 1, the work orientation has been controlled such that the surface to be deposited can remain perpendicular to the nozzle which is fixed to gravity direction and minimize distortion of the laser spot and powder distortion on the workpiece surface. For focus 2, a unique path generation method has been proposed based on the reverse play of a subtractive machining path, which removes the entire part to the null. For focus 3, preoperative process parameters control has been introduced to achieve the specified volumetric deposition rates along the additive tool path, which is equated with the material removal rates along the subtractive machining tool path. With methods mentioned above, the dedicated CAM system, CAMAM, has been prototyped and its feasibility has been verified experimentally by applying the NC program generation strategies to deposit several parts.

Abstract No successful resuscitation has ever been reported about intraoperative cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for an extended period of time in the lateral position. Here we report a case of successful resuscitation without any neurological complication after cardiac arrest due to massive hemorrhage and 25 min of CPR in the lateral position. The patient was a 65-year-old man. During open hemostasis for the postoperative hemorrhage, the patient’s rhythm changed sinus to ventricular fibrillation (VF), followed by asystole. We started CPR immediately with the patient in the left lateral position. Chest compression was performed by two practitioners, one pressing patient’s sternum and the other pressing simultaneously patient’s mid-thoracic spine from his back. During CPR, though the value of end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) was significantly low (around 5–20 mmHg), the value of systolic arterial pressure was kept about 35–50 mmHg, and diastolic pressure about 20–30 mmHg. After the 25 min of lateral CPR, he achieved the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). He was hemodynamically stable after ROSC. He regained his consciousness at the next postoperative day. He was discharged from our hospital on the 60th day of operation without any cardiac and neurological complication. Successful neurological outcome suggests that we may expect satisfactory neurological outcome even in the case of lateral position and prolonged CPR if we perform effective CPR with the feedback of arterial blood pressure and EtCO2 and with the immediate intervention to culprit injuries.

We study the two-dimensional magnetic Benard problem with noise, white in time. We prove the well-posedness including the path-wise uniqueness of the generalized solution, and the existence of the unique invariant, and consequently ergodic, measure under random perturbation.

Displacement sensors based on laser or optical fiber technology are recognized for their capacity for non-contact distance measurement based on reflection from an object, but with limited measurement distance and resolution. The other option could be light wave interferometer built with the mirrors on the object. However, long distance measurement requires large laser source with stabilized-wavelength. This report presents another solution: a non-contact grating interferometer displacement sensor that enables pico-meter resolution with a semiconductor laser source.

In response to the demand for high accuracy and high resolution of angular positioning and movement of CNC machine tools, the demand for rotary encoder systems has also increased for the detection of ultra- precise angular position and movement. Authors had developed a new principle of self-calibration with multiple detecting head which enables detection of the error components of higher order with the less number of detecting heads. The system developed for this paper consists of a rotary scale with grating, sensor head unit with build-in 6 pieces of sensor heads and data processing box containing a circuit to process analog signals from the sensor head unit and output angular data applied calibration value in real time. This paper evaluates the performance of this system. In addition, the angular accuracy of the rotary encoder for servo control inside a machine tool was examined with reference to the self-calibration of the rotary encoder using the proposed method. Measured data of the accuracy of that were also utilized to generate the calibration data of the rotary encoder, and the rotary encoder was calibrated with the calibration data. The measured accuracy showed a resolution of 1/236 . It was confirmed that the angular positioning accuracy was improved because of the calibration.

The ladybird beetle, Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius), has been extending its distribution in and around urban areas at higher latitudes in Japan over the past 100 years. Between 2003 and 2011, we investigated the seasonal occurrence, aphid prey and population dynamics of this species in an urban park in Osaka City, central Japan. We found that C. sexmaculata completes three generations a year in Osaka. Overwintered adults emerge in March or April and produce two (or rarely one) generations by summer. Second-generation adults aestivate and subsequently produce another generation in autumn. This species feeds on five species of aphids that infest planted shrubs and alien weeds throughout the vegetative season. We analyzed the association between accumulated temperature and when overwintered adults first emerged. In addition, we determined the association between their time of emergence, peak abundance and last occurrence, and meteorological conditions. There was no association between the sum of effective temperatures and termination of adult overwintering. There was, however, an association between first occurrence and peak abundance, and climatic conditions, such as warm temperatures or low humidity. This species maintained a stable population in an urban park by becoming quiescent when climatic conditions were unfavourable or prey was scarce. We discussed these findings in relation to urban environmental factors, such as climate, food conditions and vegetation.

The ladybird beetle Cheilomenes sexmaculata (Fabricius) is widely distributed throughout the intermediate latitudinal and equatorial regions. It exhibits elytral colour polymorphism with a geographical cline showing increased prevalence of melanic morphs with increasing latitude. Over the past 100 years, this species has extended its distribution towards higher latitudes in Japan because of climatic warming. In this study, long-term changes in the frequency of different morphs and adult body size of this species during this range extension were analyzed based on a survey of specimens in collections. First, we examined specimens collected from areas that were colonized (34-36°N) during the period of range extension (1949-1989) and when it ceased (1990-2005). Chronologically, both the proportions of melanic morphs increased and body size decreased significantly. Next, specimens were examined from newly colonized regions and the former range of distribution (32-34°N); these specimens were collected during period when range extension had ceased. In newly colonized regions, the frequency of melanic morphs was higher and the body size was smaller than in the former range of distribution. These two findings indicate that the smaller, melanic morphs may have undergone a positive-selection driven range extension to higher latitudes.

Unroofed coronary sinus (URCS) is a rare cardiac anomaly, in which communication occurs between the coronary sinus (CS) and the left atrium (LA) because of partial or complete absence of the CS roof. A 30-year-old woman was scheduled for surgical closure of atrial septal defect, mitral valve repair and tricuspid annuloplasty. The intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed left-to-right shunt between the CS and the LA. The three-dimensional (3D) TEE confirmed the diagnosis of partially URCS. This defect was repaired with a pericardial patch. In this case, the 3D images of URCS, which were a helpful supplement to the 2D images, providing better visualization of the wall defect and more information regarding the size and location of the defect. The combined use of 2D and 3D images provides valuable information to aid in understanding the anatomy and morphology of this rare anomaly.

We study the regularity of the three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics system, and obtain criteria in terms of one velocity field component and two magnetic field components. In contrast to the previous results such as [22], we have eliminated the condition on the third component of the magnetic field completely while preserving the same upper bound on the integrability condition.

We study the two-dimensional beta-generalized supercritical quasi-geostrophic equation, and in particular show that to obtain global regularity results, one needs to bound only its partial derivative. Results may be generalized to similar active scalars, e.g. the porous media equation.

Numerical error compensation is a cost-effective way to further improve the accuracy of high precision CNC machine tools. This paper discusses the major techniques for numerical error compensation on high precision machine tools. First, the high accuracy 2D holographic scale system and the dedicated measurement software are introduced. Then, the mathematical modeling of repeatable machine tool errors and the synthesis of volumetric error model are presented, followed by a description on the procedure of NC code modification. Error compensation experiments have been performed on a ballscrew driven machine tool and a linear driven machine tool. The experimental results show that numerical error compensation is generally effective on machine tools with both drive systems, while the linear driver system provides better dynamic performance for further improvement when the control precision is increased.

The prevalence of obligate parasitic fungi may depend partly on the environmental conditions prevailing in the habitats of their hosts. Ectoparasitic fungi of the order Laboulbeniales (Ascomycetes) infect arthropods and form thalli on the host's body surface. Although several studies report the incidence of infection of certain host species by these fungi, quantitative data on laboulbenialean fungus-host arthropod interactions at the host assemblage level are rarely reported. To clarify the effects of host habitats on infection by ectoparasitic fungi, the incidence of infection by fungi of the genus Laboulbenia (Laboulbeniales) of overwintering carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in three habitats, a riverside (reeds and vines), a secondary forest and farmland (rice and vegetable fields), were compared in central Japan. Of the 531 adults of 53 carabid species (nine subfamilies) collected in the three habitats, a Laboulbenia infection of one, five and one species of the carabid subfamilies Pterostichinae, Harpalinae and Callistinae, respectively, was detected. Three species of fungus were identified: L. coneglanensis, L. pseudomasei and L. fasciculate. The incidence of infection by Laboulbenia was higher in the riverside habitat (8.97% of individuals; 14/156) than in the forest (0.93%; 2/214) and farmland (0%; 0/161) habitats. Furthermore, the incidence of infection by Laboulbenia in the riverside habitat ranged from 0 to 33.3% and differed significantly in the ten microhabitats (riverbank, edge of track, tall reeds, kudzu vines, slope of a hollow, rotten wood, vine reeds, under stones, the shoulder of a terrace and marshy ground) where the carabid beetles overwintered. These results suggest that host habitats and microhabitats are closely associated with successful infection by laboulbenialean fungi.

There is a high density of the cicada Cryptotympana facialis (Walker) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) in urban parks in central Japan during summer. This cicada uses its stylet to pierce holes in the trunks of keyaki trees, Zelkova serrata and then feeds on the exuding xylem sap. Three ant species, Formica japonica Motschulsky, Lasius japonicus Santschi and Crematogaster matsumurai Forel (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were observed aggregatively feeding on these exudates. In addition, two wasp species, Polistes jokohamae Radoszkowski (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), and Ampulex dissector (Thunberg) (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) fed on the sap. These ants and wasps can therefore be classified as commensals. Two flower chafers, Protaetia brevitarsis (Lewis) and P. orientalis submarumorea (Burmeister) (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) were also observed displacing cicadas from their feeding sites and feeding on the exuding sap. Thus, these chafers can be classified as both commensals and kleptoparasites.