Phylogenetic analysis of the long terminal repeat of feline immunodeficiency viruses from Japan, Argentina and Australia

The nucleotide sequences of the long terminal repeat of five Japanese, five Argentine and three Australian isolates of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were determined and compared with those of isolates previously described. The results revealed that the Japanese isolates were found to cluster with nucleotide sequence similarity of 95.6%–99.4%. The Australian isolates also clustered with nucleotide sequence similarity of 97.2%–99.4%. The Argentine isolates formed two groups; the LP9 isolate is closely related to the Japanese isolates, whereas the LP1, LP3, LP20 and LP24 isolates are distant from both the Japanese and Australian isolates. From these results, FIV can be divided into three groups, namely: (I) the Californian, Australian and British isolates; (II) the Japanese isolates and one Argentine LP9 isolate; (III) the other Argentine isolates.Facultad de Ciencias Veterinaria

HINOTORI and Its Perspectives in the Black-Hole Jet Study

Simultaneous multi-band very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations at millimeter wavelengths have huge potential for various science cases. However, there exist difficulties in expanding the scientific targets, as the sensitivity of radio telescopes at millimeter wavelengths is typically lower compared to that at centimeter wavelengths. In order to realize high-sensitivity mm-VLBI observations in the East Asia region, we are promoting the HINOTORI (Hybrid Installation project in NObeyama, Triple-band ORIented) project, which aims to launch the wide-band and simultaneous triple-band (22/43/86 GHz) VLBI system with the Nobeyama 45 m Radio Telescope (NRO45). The simultaneous 22/43 GHz observation mode has already been operated for the open-use program. We have recently completed the performance evaluation of the receiver and observing system at 86 GHz. In addition, a new wide-band VLBI back-end system has been installed on the NRO45 and the performance of this receiving system has been found to be sufficient to meet scientific requirements. Currently, we are performing commissioning observations to establish regular VLBI operation with simultaneous triple-band mode together with the Korean VLBI Network. The participation of the NRO45 is expected to strengthen the mm-VLBI observation network in the East Asia region and to be a very powerful addition with respect to the science of of black hole jets