Yamaguchi Prefecture Research Articles

P59 山口県下関市角島に分有する中新世玄武岩類の地質と岩石(ポスターセッション)

P59 山口県下関市角島に分有する中新世玄武岩類の地質と岩石(ポスターセッション)

A46 山口県萩市の小・中学校での火山教育(火山教育・阿蘇火山,日本火山学会2006年秋季大会)

A46 山口県萩市の小・中学校での火山教育(火山教育・阿蘇火山,日本火山学会2006年秋季大会)

P60 山口県萩市見島の火山活動史と岩石学的特徴(ポスターセッション)

P60 山口県萩市見島の火山活動史と岩石学的特徴(ポスターセッション)

Specific Identity ofKalicephalusMolin, 1861 (Nematoda: Diaphanocephalidae) Specimens Collected from the Albino Japanese Ratsnake,Elaphe climacophora(Boie, 1826) (Serpentes: Colubridae)

Abstract: Nine male and eight female adult nematodes in the genus Kalicephalus reported from albino Japanese ratsnakes, Elaphe climacophora from Iwakuni City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, were re-examined to confirm their taxonomic placement. Previously, these nematodes were identified as K. natricis Yamaguti, 1935, despite the fact that the name had been regarded by some earlier authors as a species inquirenda. Our close re-examination of the morphological characters of both sexes suggests that those worms actually belong to K. sinensis Hsu, 1934, which has been recorded from several Japanese snakes, including E. climacophora.

Seasonal variation of contaminated geo-environmental condition of Yamaguchi bay tidal flat, Japan

In this study, the seasonal variation of geo-environmental condition of Yamaguchi Bay tidal flat has been studied. Yamaguchi bay is located at the south part of Yamaguchi prefecture and was famous for its different kind of shells and other living creatures. However, a sharp declination of a catch of shells and crabs have been observed in recent years. Particularly, the living creatures related to the tidal flat mud have been suffered a damage. Recently, the horseshoe crabs which used to come onto shore to mate is declining in Yamaguchi bay which is not good for the marine ecosystem of this area. The mud samples were collected from the tidal flat area once in every month by using the tube sampler. Then the samples were cut into specified layer and measured the different geo-environmental parameters (acid volatile sulfide, pH, loss on ignition, COD, Electrical conductivity) at the laboratory in each layer. It was observed that the acid volatile sulfide (AVS) which is the most important parameter for the living condition of the living creatures is over the safe limit (0.2 mg/g-dry mud) during the summer. The other parameters such as pH, LOI, have also significant variation in different seasons but they were still within the safe limit. The COD value of the tidal mud also showed a significant variation during the summer and the winter. However, the higher AVS value was one of the reasons for the declination of horseshoe crabs and other living creature in the tidal flat of Yamaguchi bay, Japan.

人工干潟造成による環境創造の実証的研究－山口県周南市大島干潟を検証して－

人工干潟造成による環境創造の実証的研究－山口県周南市大島干潟を検証して－

【シンポジウム報告】／清酒のバリューチェーンと農商工連携

Owing to significant changes in the industrial organization, sake breweries have adopted strategies to produce higher quality sake, such as jummai-shu and daiginjo-shu, as well as to improve the rice-polishing ratio of sake-brewing rice in order to cope with the slackening demand for sake. Accordingly the production of sake-brewing rice has increased, and reduction of distribution costs and improvements of production efficiency have been achieved with the cooperation of large-scale producers. Competitiveness of Nada City (Hyogo Prefecture) and Fushimi City (Kyoto Prefecture) where major sake breweries are concentrated has diminished due to a retail price war, while Yamaguchi Prefecture has intensified competitiveness with high-quality products and export expansion. Product differentiation and network expansion led by young entrepreneurs with experienced master sake brewers have opened up opportunities for management innovations. Furthermore, deepening cooperation between sake brewing business and agriculture has encouraged the formation of value chain which benefits both parties.

Long Term Application of a Vehicle-Based Health Monitoring System to Short and Medium Span Bridges and Damage Detection Sensitivity

Largest portion of the bridge stock in almost any country and bridge owning organisation consists on ordinary bridges that has short or medium spans and are now deteriorating due to aging, etc. Therefore, it is becoming an important social concern to develop and put to practical use simple and efficient health monitoring systems for existing short and medium span (10 - 30 m) bridges. In this paper, one practical solution to the problem for condition assessment of short and medium span bridges was discussed. A vehicle-based measurement with a public bus as part of a public transit system (called “Bus monitoring system”) has been developed to be capable of detecting damage that may affect the structural safety of a bridge from long term vibration measurement data collected while the vehicle (bus) crossed the target bridges. This paper systematically describes how the system has been developed. The bus monitoring system aims to detect the transition from the damage acceleration period, in which the structural safety of an aged bridge declines sharply, to the deterioration period by continually monitoring the bridge of interest. To evaluate the practicality of the newly developed bus monitoring system, it has been field-tested over a period of about four years by using an in-service fixed-route bus operating on a bus route in the city of Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The verification results thus obtained are also described in this paper. This study also evaluates the sensitivity of “characteristic deflection”, which is a bridge (health) condition indicator used by the bus monitoring system, in damage detection. Sensitivity of “characteristic deflection” is verified by introducing artificial damage into a bridge that has ended its service life and is awaiting removal. As the results, it will be able to make a rational long-term health monitoring system for existing short and mediumspan bridges, and then the system helps bridge administrators to establish the rational maintenance strategies.

The application of long-term rainfall data and heavy rainfall in Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures on July, 2013 to predict the time and location of landslides occurrence

The application of long-term rainfall data and heavy rainfall in Yamaguchi and Shimane prefectures on July, 2013 to predict the time and location of landslides occurrence

Redescription of <i>Atopocottus tribranchius</i> (Cottidae) from Japan with comments on the generic diagnosis and distribution

A poorly known sculpin, Atopocottus tribranchius Bolin, 1936 (Cottidae), was redescribed on the basis of 56 specimens from several localities in Japan; off Yamaguchi, Kyoto and Niigata Prefectures on the Japan Sea coast, and Kochi Prefecture on the Pacific coast, and in the northern East China Sea. The specimens from Yamaguchi, Kochi and the East China Sea represent the first specimen-based records for the species from those regions. Minute organs on the trunk surface, previously regarded as lateral-line pores, are most likely epidermal pits containing free neuromasts, and lateral-line pores are restricted to a row of embedded lateral-line scales on the anterodorsal portion of the body. Diagnostic characters of the monotypic genus, Atopocottus Bolin, 1936 , are here reviewed on the basis of external and selected osteological characters, described for the first time. The genus is more similar to the Southern Hemisphere (Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand) genus Antipodocottus Bolin, 1952 than to Stlengis Jordan and Starks, 1904, known only from Japan, in having poorly developed cephalic sensory canals with few pores and the lateral-line scales in a simple canal without dorsal and ventral branches. However, Atopocottus differs from Antipodocottus in having fewer lateral-line scales (3–5 vs. 5–33 in the latter); the uppermost preopercular spine with 1–6 dorsal branches, their length and width becoming shorter and narrower, respectively, toward the spine tip, some of them with two spinous points (vs. 2–5 simple, similarly sized dorsal branches); and lacking a supraocular tentacle (vs. usually present). A more comprehensive examination of the two genera is necessary to determine their monophyly.

山口県の中山間地におけるコムギ・裸麦4品種の収量性からみた播種適期

山口県の中山間地におけるコムギ・裸麦4品種の収量性からみた播種適期

The promotion of social inclusion by adoption of the Private Finance Initiative on a correctional institution

This study focuses on two questionnaire surveys that were conducted about the adoption of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI prison) method in Japan as a new correctional system. For study 1, a Web questionnaire was administered to residents of within a 30 km zone of Tokyo as well as those in Yamaguchi Prefecture to determine familiarity and resistance to the PFI prison systems. For study 2, a questionnaire survey was administered to residents of a neighborhood near a PFI prison in Mine city. The results showed that the attitudes toward the PFI prison were more positive in this area. Furthermore, contact with the correctional systems promoted residents’ acceptance of prisoners and former prisoners. Finally, we discuss social and institutional support and contact with social systems to promote social inclusion.

山口県中南部，才ヶ峠構造線に関連した活断層露頭

山口県中南部，才ヶ峠構造線に関連した活断層露頭

Design and Periodic Inspection of the Kintai-kyo Wooden Arch Bridge

The Kintai-kyo Bridge is a unique, five-span wooden bridge with three arches across the Nishiki River, the largest river of the Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. The central wooden rib arch is very rare in the world. The bridge has become a famous landmark because of its elegant structure and its aesthetic appearance that is in harmony with the surrounding picturesque landscape. It is a popular historical site and attracts many tourists. The wooden bridge has been rebuilt several times since its inauguration in 1673. The latest rebuilding was done in 2004 which was almost 50 years after the previous one. The original span length of the Kintai-kyo Bridge was close to the limit allowed for construction of wooden bridges during that time. In order to strengthen the bridge against floods, the best combination of wood and stone was used. Arch structure was adopted for the superstructure, and hollow stone piers of spindle-shaped crosssection were adopted in the substructure. This paper studies the origin of the arch structure of the Kintai-kyo Bridge because this arch is unique and different from the voussoir arch or the corbel arch, and its resulting elegant appearance. In addition, as a unique feature, periodical inspections of the Kintai-kyo Bridge have been conducted by the Waseda University every 5 years since 1953, where the weight of local high-school students is used as the load for testing.

Retrospective survey of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome in patients with suspected rickettsiosis in Japan.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging tick-borne infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). The aim of this study was to clarify whether SFTS is potentially mis-diagnosed as rickettsioses, including spotted fever, typhus fever, and scrub typhus, which are also tick-borne disease. A total of 464 serum samples collected from 222 patients with clinically suspected rickettsiosis between 1999 and 2012 were tested for antibodies against the SFTSV. Of the 464 serum samples, one was positive for antibodies against the virus in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and indirect immunofluorescence assay. The patient of SFTSV antibody-positive sample (15 days after disease onset) was positive for SFTSV genome in the acute phase sample (3 days after disease onset) as determined via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. This patient, who was a resident of the Yamaguchi prefecture in Western Japan, was in his 40s when he showed symptoms in 2011. As the result, 1 of 222 patients, who was clinically suspected of rickettsiosis, was retrospectively diagnosed with SFTS. In this case, both the C-reactive protein and white blood cell count levels were lower than the ranges of these parameters for patients diagnosed with rickettsiosis. Therefore, SFTS should be considered in the differential diagnosis for rickettsiosis in Japan.

Simple and specific method for detection of antibodies against hepatitis E virus in mammalian species

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is the causative agent of hepatitis E, a food- and water-borne disease. In developed countries, consumption of meats from pigs, wild boars and deer is a major source of infection. Although HEV and HEV-related viruses have been detected in many animal species, their zoonotic potential and prevalence has not been completely understood. To detect anti-HEV antibody in mammalian species, a simple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established using extract from cells expressing HEV capsid protein and protein A/G as an antigen and a reagent for detection of antibody. Absorbance in the ELISA was compared with those in our previous ELISA using VLPs and anti-swine antibody, suggesting that newly established ELISA was similarly specific and sensitive as the previous ELISA. Seroprevalence of HEV infection among wild boars was examined in Yamaguchi Prefecture, confirming that 111 of 364 wild boars (30.5%) were positive for anti-HEV antibody. Next, this ELISA was applied to humans, dogs, cats, ferrets, raccoons and masked palm civets in Japan, and anti-HEV antibodies were detected in humans, ferrets, dogs and cats. This ELISA is thus useful for serological surveys and comparison of HEV infection among various mammals, including humans.

Diagnosis and Characters of Non-Specific Low Back Pain in Japan: The Yamaguchi Low Back Pain Study.

Study DesignCross sectional data from the Yamaguchi low back pain study conducted in Yamaguchi prefecture, Japan, was used for this analysis.MethodsA total of 320 patients were recruited from walk-in orthopedic clinics in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. Patients visited the clinics primarily for low back pain (LBP) and sought treatment between April and May 2015. A self-questionnaire was completed by patients, while radiographic testing and neurological and physical examination was performed by the orthopedist in each hospital. The cause and characters of LBP was determined following examination of the data, regional anesthesia and block injection.Results‘Specific LBP’ was diagnosed in 250 (78%) patients and non-diagnosable, ‘non-specific LBP’ in 70 (22%) patients. The VAS scores of patients were: LBP, 5.8±0.18; leg pain, 2.9±0.18 and the intensity of leg numbness was 1.9±0.16. Item scores for SF-8 were: general health, 46.6±0.40; physical function, 43.5±0.51; physical limitations, 42.8±0.53; body pain, 42.1±0.52; vitality, 48.4±0.37; social function, 46.9±0.53; emotional problems, 48.9±0.43; mental health, 46.9±0.43.ConclusionsThe incidence of non-specific LBP in Japan was lower than previous reports from western countries, presumably because of variation in the diagnosis of LBP between different health care systems. In Japan, 78% of cases were classified as ‘specific LBP’ by orthopedists. Identification of the definitive cause of LBP should help to improve the quality of LBP treatment.

Gold Mineralization at the Agawa Prospect in Yamaguchi Prefecture, Southwestern Japan

AbstractAgawa gold prospect, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture, southwestern Japan, is a small prospect, where placer gold has been explored and mined since the 17th century. We investigated the prospect to clarify the genesis of the deposit based on the geology, hydrothermal alteration, geochronology, and ore mineralogy. The main mineralized zone of the prospect has a horizontal and vertical extensions of 500 m and 100 m, respectively, and a width of less than 100 m. Gold mineralization in the prospect occurs as dissemination and stockwork veinlets in the intensely sericitized rocks at the apical part of the Agawa dioritic porphyry intrusion at 86.5–88.5 Ma.Mineralization is typified by at least three stages – an early stage characterized by the occurrence of pyrrhotite and native gold; a middle stage by chalcopyrite; and a late stage by pyrite–bornite. Mineral assemblage and fluid inclusion microthermometry estimation suggest a trend of decreasing temperatures from 400°C to 160°C at a constant sulfur fugacity. The mineralizing fluids formed by the mixing of a hypogene fluid of possibly magmatic origin with an external lower‐temperature and lower‐salinity fluid. The mixing process decreased the temperature and salinity of the fluid, resulting in the precipitation of sulfides, native gold and Bi–Te alloys and sulfosalts.The magnetite‐series signature of the Agawa porphyry and related molybdenite‐bearing mineralization indicate that the plutonism of the San‐in granitoids belt extends to the westernmost end of the Honshu Island. The compiled geochronology and distribution of the metallic deposits in the southwestern Japan arc show that transition from ilmenite‐series to magnetite‐series plutonism started earlier in the west, and shifted eastwards with time during the period from Late Cretaceous to Paleogene.

Five species of the family Cyproideidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from Japan, with the description of a new genus and two new species.

Five species of the family Cyproideidae (Crustacea: Amphipoda) are described from shallow sea in Japan. Cyproidea liodactyla Hirayama, 1978 was collected from Kanagawa and Shizuoka Prefectures and Ariake Sea. Morphological character of the antenna 1 in these specimens is different from the original description. Examining the paratypes of C. liodactyla, the shape of the antenna 1 in the holotype is revealed to be abnormal. Cyproidea okinawensis sp. nov. was collected from Okinawa Island. Its morphological characters resemble C. liodactyla and C. robusta Ren, 2006; however, this new species is different from the former in the smaller eyes, the narrower coxa 5 and the coloration, and from the latter in the ovoid telson. Metacyproidea gen. nov. is established with M. makie sp. nov. from Hachijo Island in Tokyo Prefecture as its type species. This new genus resembles Cyproidea, especially in the peduncular article 2 of antenna 1 with a distinct distal tooth and the posterodorsal end of urosomites with a strong projection. However, Metacyproidea can be distinguished from Cyproidea by the coalesced urosomites 2-3 and the antenna 1 with a 10-16-articulated flagellum. Moolapheonoides acutifalcatus Kobayashi & Ishimaru, 2005 and Terepeltopes dolichorhunia Hirayama, 1983 were also collected from Wakayama and Fukui Prefectures and Kanagawa, Shizuoka and Yamaguchi Prefectures, respectively. A key to species of the family Cyproideidae in Japan is provided.

Occurrence of manganese carbonate rocks including Permian radiolarians form Kano area, Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan

Occurrence of manganese carbonate rocks including Permian radiolarians form Kano area, Shunan City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan