A new cosmic ray observation at Syowa Station in the antarctic

A set of Cosmic Ray detectors was newly installed in Syowa Station, in the Antarctic, to observe CR neutrons and muons simultaneously at the same location. The observing system has started working in February 2018 and is in stable operation with a high operation rate, >90%. We describe the new systems and show its stability

Genetic and growth differences in the outcrossings between two clonal strains of the self-fertilizing mangrove killifish

The populations of the only known self-fertilizing vertebrate Kryptolebias marmoratus (Poey, 1880) (formerly known as Rivulus marmoratus Poey, 1880; Cyprinodontiformes: Aplocheilidae) usually consist of different homozygous lineages; however, heterozygous individuals are found occasionally and ratios of homozygosity and heterozygosity in populations are dependent on the proportion of males. However, it is still unclear what impact male-mediated genetic diversity has on the phenotype of K. marmoratus. To clarify this, we attempted outcrossing between male and hermaphrodite of two different clonal strains with different life-history traits using artificial insemination, and examined the genotypes and growth of the hybrid F2 generation. We detected genetic differences between the two clonal strains using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis with 3 primer combinations, and then obtained 11 AFLP markers. From a total of 31 artificial inseminations with two clonal strains, 1 of 13 hatched fish clearly indicated heterozygosity. The hybrid F2 generations were also heterozygous. Moreover, the growths of the hybrid F2 generation were intermediate of the parental strains from days 0 to 30. Therefore, outcrossing changes genetic architecture and the new genotypes potentially result in new phenotypes of the subsequent generations of K. marmoratus. It may also play a role in adaptation to new environments and the facilitation of local adaptation

Effect of Bacillus subtilis var. natto Fermented Soybean on Growth Performance, Microbial Activity in the Caeca and Cytokine Gene Expression of Domestic Meat Type Chickens

Experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of the Bacillus subtilis var. natto fermented soybean (FS) on growth performance, microbial activity in the caeca and cytokine gene expression in spleen of domestic meat type chickens. Chicks were fed commercial diets supplemented with 0 (control), 1 or 2% FS for 80 days from 0 to 80 days of age, and a fourth group of chicks were fed control diet from 0 to 27 days of age, and then fed a 2% FS diet from 28 to 80 days of age. Supplementation with FS did not decrease feed intake compared to chicks fed the control diet, and there were no significant differences in body weight gain and feed efficiency due to dietary treatment. FS supplementation had no effect on carcass weight, breast and thigh meat composition, or abdominal fat deposition. There were no significant differences in pH, NH3-N concentration, or number of microorganisms in the cecum content in each group; however, total acetic acid concentration increased (P<0.05) in chicks fed the 2% FS supplemented diet from 0 to 80 days of age. Supplementation with FS did not affect IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-13 gene expression in spleens.It can be concluded from this study that supplementing FS to meat type chicken diets has no deleterious effect on the growth performance, and has beneficial effects on intestinal microbial activity, as observed by increases in VFA concentration

Erratum to: New cosmic ray observations at Syowa Station in the Antarctic for space weather study

Due to confusion in the proof correction process, the author’s proof corrections were not correctly taken into account. The corrections are listed below, highlighted by a boldface font

Monomeric Three-Coordinate N‑Heterocyclic Carbene Nickel(I) Complexes: Synthesis, Structures, and Catalytic Applications in Cross-Coupling Reactions

A series of three-coordinate monovalent nickel halide complexes bearing N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, i.e., NiCl­(IPr)­(L) [L = pyridine, P­(OPh)₃, bis­(diphenylphosphino)­butane (dppb), IPr = 1,3-bis­(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)­imidazol-2-ylidene], NiX­(IMes)­(PPh₃) (X = Cl and Br, IMes = 1,3-bis­(mesityl)­imidazol-2-ylidene), were prepared. The complexes were identified using NMR spectroscopy, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), and X-ray crystallography. Additionally, ESR spectra of NiCl­(IPr)­(pyridine) were taken in toluene. These complexes had three-coordinate Y-shaped geometries in both the solid and solution states. The compounds containing IPr showed equilibrium between the monomeric and dimeric forms, with liberation of ligands. Addition of 1,2-bis­(diphenylphosphino)­ethane and 1,3-bis­(diphenylphosphino)­propane to the dinickel­(I) IPr complex instead of dppb resulted in heterolytic cleavage to nickel(0) and nickel­(II) species. Catalysis of Suzuki cross-coupling and Buchwald–Hartwig amination of aryl bromide using the complexes was investigated. The efficiencies in the amination of aryl bromide depended strongly on the additional donor ligands