Distribution and management of non-native squirrels in Japan

Three species of alien squirrels have been confirmed to have been introduced in Japan: Tamias sibiricus, Callosciurus erythraeus (including the species complex C. finlaysonii), and Sciurus vulgaris. Japan is home to endemic squirrel species S. lis, Petaurista leucogenys, and Pteromys momonga, as well as endemic subspecies S. vulgaris orientis, T. sibiricus lineatus, and Pteromys volans orii. It is important to address the issue of damage to ecosystems caused by alien species, including the conservation of endemic species. Chipmunks (T. sibiricus) have become established in at least 11 of 47 prefectures, but no measures have been taken because the damage is not yet apparent. Pallas’s squirrels (C. erythraeus) that were reared in petting zoos for tourism purposes escaped and have become established in at least 17 localities in 13 prefectures. Because of the high population densities and significant damage caused by this species, removal measures have been implemented in at least 12 locations. The species is now eradicated or near eradication in four locations. Eurasian red squirrels (S. vulgaris) have become established at two sites in central Honshu and Kyushu. Due to possible hybridization with the Japanese squirrel (S. lis), trapping began in 2014 with the aim of eradication. This review summarizes the measures taken in Japan to conserve endemic species and emphasizes the importance of the involvement of researchers in early action

Widely Extended [OIII] 88 um Line Emission around the 30 Doradus Region Revealed with AKARI FIS-FTS

We present the distribution map of the far-infrared [OIII] 88um line emission around the 30 Doradus (30 Dor) region in the Large Magellanic Cloud obtained with the Fourier Transform Spectrometer of the Far-Infrared Surveyor onboard AKARI. The map reveals that the [OIII] emission is widely distributed by more than 10' around the super star cluster R136, implying that the 30 Dor region is affluent with interstellar radiation field hard enough to ionize O^{2+}. The observed [OIII] line intensities are as high as (1-2) x 10^{-6} W m^{-2} sr^{-1} on the peripheral regions 4'-5' away from the center of 30 Dor, which requires gas densities of 60-100 cm^{-3}. However the observed size of the distribution of the [OIII] emission is too large to be explained by massive stars in the 30 Dor region enshrouded by clouds with the constant gas density of 10^2 cm^{-3}. Therefore the surrounding structure is likely to be highly clumpy. We also find a global correlation between the [OIII] and the far-infrared continuum emission, suggesting that the gas and dust are well mixed in the highly-ionized region where the dust survives in clumpy dense clouds shielded from the energetic photons.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan (PASJ

コウブンギ ノ ヒカク 二 モトヅイタ プログラム サブン ノ ヒョウジ ホウシキ

Void formation and structure change by heavy ion irradiation were investigated in GaSb and InSb thin films. The voids were formed after irradiation in both materials. The average diameter of the voids was about 15nm in GaSb and 20nm in InSb irradiated with 60 keV Snþ ions to a fluence of 0:25 x 1018 ions/m2 at room temperature. The void size in InSb is larger than that in GaSb. The large void size is quantitatively explained by the amount of induced vacancies obtained by the SRIM code simulation. The Debye-Scherrer rings were observed in the SAED patterns on both materials. The structure changes into a polycrystal by ion irradiation. Additionally, the 200 superlattice reflections in the [001] net pattern were almost absent, and the streak pattern along the h110i direction was observed in InSb. It is considered that the anti phase domains of different lengths are formed by ion irradiation. Ion irradiation transforms the structure of InSb from chemical ordering to chemical disordering via the formation of anti phase boundaries

理科嫌いを生みだす理科授業の要因

Although a large percentage of elementary school children show high interest in science classes, they tend to lose interest and dislike them in junior and senior high schools. This paper aims to clarify the causes that bring about this loss of interest in science. The study was based on a questionnaire that was conducted among the university students who want to become teachers. The result of the investigation reveals that neither their favor/disfavor of science classes in elementary school nor their nature-baaed experiences are related to their favor/disfavor of science classes in high school. The students who disliked science classes in high school claim that they lost interest because teachers demanded rote memorization and lessons were not effectual or inspiring. The authors conclude that science teachers should improve teaching strategies to enhance the students\u27 interest and enthusiasm in the learning of science

A low-frequency IL4R locus variant in Japanese patients with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy-unresponsive Kawasaki disease

Background: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis which may be associated with coronary artery aneurysms. A notable risk factor for the development of coronary artery aneurysms is resistance to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, which comprises standard treatment for the acute phase of KD. The cause of IVIG resistance in KD is largely unknown; however, the contribution of genetic factors, especially variants in immune-related genes, has been suspected. Methods: To explore genetic variants related to IVIG-unresponsiveness, we designated KD patients who did not respond to both first and second courses of IVIG therapy as IVIG-unresponsive patients. Using genomic DNA from 30 IVIG-unresponsive KD patients, we performed pooled genome sequencing targeting 39 immune-related cytokine receptor genes. Results: The single nucleotide variant (SNV), rs563535954 (located in the IL4R locus), was concentrated in IVIG-unresponsive KD patients. Individual genotyping showed that the minor allele of rs563535954 was present in 4/33 patients with IVIG-unresponsive KD, compared with 20/1063 individuals in the Japanese genome variation database (odds ratio = 7.19, 95% confidence interval 2.43-21.47). Furthermore, the minor allele of rs563535954 was absent in 42 KD patients who responded to IVIG treatment (P = 0.0337), indicating that a low-frequency variant, rs563535954, is associated with IVIG-unresponsiveness in KD patients. Although rs563535954 is located in the 3'-untranslated region of IL4R, there was no alternation in IL4R expression associated with the mior allele of rs563535954. However, IVIG-unresponsive patients that exhibited the minor allele of rs563535954 tended to be classified into the low-risk group (based on previously reported risk scores) for prediction of IVIG-resistance. Therefore, IVIG-unresponsiveness associated with the minor allele of rs563535954 might differ from IVIG-unresponsiveness associated with previous risk factors used to evaluate IVIG-unresponsiveness in KD. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the SNV rs563535954 could serve as a predictive indicator of IVIG-unresponsiveness, thereby improving the sensitivity of risk scoring systems, and may aid in prevention of coronary artery lesions in KD patients.ArticlePEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY.17:34(2019)journal articl

Calibration of the AKARI Far-Infrared Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer

The Far-Infrared Surveyor (FIS) onboard the AKARI satellite has a spectroscopic capability provided by a Fourier transform spectrometer (FIS-FTS). FIS-FTS is the first space-borne imaging FTS dedicated to far-infrared astronomical observations. We describe the calibration process of the FIS-FTS and discuss its accuracy and reliability. The calibration is based on the observational data of bright astronomical sources as well as two instrumental sources. We have compared the FIS-FTS spectra with the spectra obtained from the Long Wavelength Spectrometer (LWS) of the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) having a similar spectral coverage. The present calibration method accurately reproduces the spectra of several solar system objects having a reliable spectral model. Under this condition the relative uncertainty of the calibration of the continuum is estimated to be $\pm$ 15% for SW, $\pm$ 10% for 70-85 cm^(-1) of LW, and $\pm$ 20% for 60-70 cm^(-1) of LW; and the absolute uncertainty is estimated to be +35/-55% for SW, +35/-55% for 70-85 cm^(-1) of LW, and +40/-60% for 60-70 cm^(-1) of LW. These values are confirmed by comparison with theoretical models and previous observations by the ISO/LWS.Comment: 22 pages, 10 figure