Showing papers by "Akita Prefectural University published in 2004"
TL;DR: Results indicated that RWC3 probably played a role in drought avoidance in rice, and fit well with the knowledge that upland rice adopts the mechanism of drought avoidance.
Abstract: ;Although the discovery of aquaporins in plants has resulted in a paradigm shift in the understanding of plant water relations, the relationship between aquaporins and drought resistance still remains elusive. From an agronomic viewpoint, upland rice is traditionally considered as showing drought avoidance. In the investigation of different morphological and physiological responses of upland rice (Oryza sativa L. spp indica cv. Zhonghan 3) and lowland rice (O. sativa L. spp japonica cv. Xiushui 63) to water deficit, we observed young leaf rolling and the remarkable decline of cumulative transpiration in the upland rice. The expression of water channel protein RWC3 mRNA was increased in upland rice at the early response (up to 4 h) to the 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 treatment, whereas there was no significant expression changes in lowland rice. Protein levels were increased in upland rice and decreased in lowland rice at 10 h after the water deficit. The up-regulation of RWC3 in upland rice fits well with the knowledge that upland rice adopts the mechanism of drought avoidance. The physiological significance of this RWC3 up-regulation was then explored with the overexpression of RWC3 in transgenic lowland rice (O. sativa L. spp japonica cv. Zhonghua 11) controlled by a stressinducible SWPA2 promoter. Compared to the wild-type plant, the transgenic lowland rice exhibited higher root osmotic hydraulic conductivity (Lp), leaf water potential and relative cumulative transpiration at the end of 10 h PEG treatment. These results indicated that RWC3 probably played a role in drought avoidance in rice.
278 citations
TL;DR: A rice Rf-1 gene is found that restores BT-type CMS by applying a positional cloning strategy and nine duplications of R f-1A homologs were found around the RF-1 locus in the Nipponbare genome but they do not restore BT- type CMS based on the lack of co-segregation with the restoration phenotype.
Abstract: The combination of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in one parent and a restorer gene (Rf) to restore fertility in another are indispensable for the development of hybrid varieties. We have found a rice Rf-1 gene that restores BT-type CMS by applying a positional cloning strategy. Using linkage analysis in combination with 6,104 BC1F3 progeny derived from a cross between two near-isogenic lines (NILs) differing only at the Rf-1 locus, we delimited the Rf-1 gene to a 22.4-kb region in the rice genome. Duplicate open reading frames (Rf-1A and Rf-1B) with a pentatricopeptide (PPR) motif were found in this region. Since several insertions and/or deletions were found in the regions corresponding to both the Rf-1A and Rf-1B genes in the maintainer’s allele, they may have lost their function. Rf-1A protein had a mitochondria-targeting signal, whereas Rf-1B did not. The Rf-1B gene encoded a shorter polypeptide that was determined by a premature stop codon. Based on the function of the Rf-1 gene, its product is expected to target mitochondria and may process the transcript from an atp6/orf79 region in the mitochondrial genome. Since the Rf-1A gene encodes a 791-amino acid protein with a signal targeting mitochondria and has 16 repeats of the PPR motif, we concluded that Rf-1A is the Rf-1 gene. Nine duplications of Rf-1A homologs were found around the Rf-1 locus in the Nipponbare genome. However, while some of them encoded proteins with the PPR motif, they do not restore BT-type CMS based on the lack of co-segregation with the restoration phenotype. These duplicates may have played diversified roles in RNA processing and/or recombination in mitochondria during the co-evolution of these genes and the mitochondrial genome.
227 citations
05 Feb 2004-Materials Science and Engineering A-structural Materials Properties Microstructure and Processing
TL;DR: In this article, the tensile properties of lead-free solders were investigated and compared with those of a pure Pb eutectic solder, and the results of the strain-rate change tests, stress exponents were investigated.
Abstract: The tensile properties of Sn-35 mass%Ag, Sn-35 mass%Ag-075 mass%Cu and Sn-3 mass%Ag-2 mass%Bi lead-free solders were investigated and compared with those of a Sn–Pb eutectic solder The tensile strength of each solder decreases with decreasing strain rate, and with increasing test temperature The ductility of each lead-free solder is relatively constant in the strain rate ranging from 167×10 −4 s −1 to 167×10 −2 s −1 and in the test temperature ranging from −40 to 120 °C From the results of the strain-rate-change tests, stress exponents were investigated The stress exponents for the lead-free solders are higher than those of the Sn–Pb eutectic solder at 25, 80 and 120 °C, and are relatively stable at these temperatures The activation energies for the creep of the lead-free solders were also investigated
194 citations
TL;DR: The results imply that the manipulation of BEIIb activity is an effective strategy for the generation of novel starches for use in foodstuffs and industrial applications.
Abstract: When the starch branching enzyme IIb (BEIIb) gene was introduced into a BEIIb-defective mutant, the resulting transgenic rice plants showed a wide range of BEIIb activity and the fine structure of their amylopectins showed considerable variation despite having the two other BE isoforms, BEI and BEIIa, in their endosperm at the same levels as in the wild-type. The properties of the starch granules, such as their gelatinization behaviour, morphology and X-ray diffraction pattern, also changed dramatically depending on the level of BEIIb activity, even when this was either slightly lower or higher than that of the wild-type. The over-expression of BEIIb resulted in the accumulation of excessive branched, water-soluble polysaccharides instead of amylopectin. These results imply that the manipulation of BEIIb activity is an effective strategy for the generation of novel starches for use in foodstuffs and industrial applications.
179 citations
TL;DR: It is reported that the alkali-susceptible cultivar Nipponbare lacked SSIIa activity in endosperm, however, the activity was detected with NILs having the alk allele of alkalo-tolerant Kasalath and the results obtained explain the potential importance of two of the amino acid residues for starch association of riceSSIIa.
Abstract: The natural variation in starch synthase IIa (SSIIa) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was characterised using near-isogenic lines (NILs). SSIIa is a candidate for the alk gene regulating the alkali disintegration of rice grains, since both genes are genetically mapped at the same position on chromosome 6 and related to starch properties. In this study, we report that the alkali-susceptible cultivar Nipponbare lacked SSIIa activity in endosperm. However, the activity was detected with NILs having the alk allele of alkali-tolerant Kasalath. SSIIa protein was present even in Nipponbare endosperm, but it was not associated with starch granules at the milky stage of endosperm. Three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) predicting amino acid substitutions existed between the cDNA sequences of SSIIa of Nipponbare and Kasalath were genotyped with 65 rice cultivars and four wild relatives of cultivated rice. The results obtained explain the potential importance of two of the amino acid residues for starch association of rice SSIIa. An analysis of the chain-length distribution of β-limit dextrin of amylopectin showed that without SSIIa activity, the relative number of A-chains (the short chains without branches) increased and that of B1-chains (the short chains with branches) decreased. This suggests that, given the SSIIa defect, short A-chains could not reach a sufficient length for branching enzymes to act on them to produce B1-chains.
151 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a micro-robot running inside a tube using magnetic fluid has been developed, where individual cells corresponding to the earthworm's segment are composed of a natural rubber tube sealed with water-based magnetic fluid and several cells are connected with elastic rods made of natural rubber.
Abstract: In the field of bio-engineering the aim of developing new machines which utilize the motion and control of organisms as a model is attracting attention. This technology is pursued by paying attention to various shapes and movements of organisms and autonomous system of organisms that act in response to the environment surrounding them, and by mechanically elucidating the locomotion mechanism, propulsive mechanism, nerve system and sensation system for these organisms. On the other hand, in the field of hydrodynamics, magnetic fluid that changes its apparent viscosity depending on the magnetic field has been developed, and its utilization is under trial in various fields. Attention has been paid to the peristaltic crawling of the earthworm as a transport function in place of wheels or ambulation, and based on these observations a micro-robot running inside a tube using magnetic fluid has been developed. In this micro-robot, individual cells corresponding to the earthworm's segment are composed of a natural rubber tube sealed with water-based magnetic fluid, and several cells are connected with elastic rods made of natural rubber. The feature of this micro-robot is that its structure is simply composed, and it can be controlled with external wireless force, by providing it with moving magnetism from the outside. This paper presents the analytical result on the peristaltic crawling of an actual earthworm and the evaluation result for the transport mechanism of a prototype micro-robot moved by an external magnetic field.
112 citations
TL;DR: The rice genome is surveyed, a large number of putative genes of the octadecanoid pathway are extracted, and their relationship with the known pathway genes from other plant species is discussed.
104 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a wavelet transform was used to detect the zero-cross point of the base current at 50 Hz without the need for voltage information, and the source information regarding the distortion level of the current half-wave separated by the zerocross point and a time lag to onset in current attributable to arcs were used in order to obtain the above three components.
Abstract: Leakage current produced on contaminated ceramic and polymeric insulating surfaces was analyzed using a wavelet transform technique providing time-frequency domain information. Salt-fog tests with and without the deposition of non-soluble contamination were conducted in a laboratory, during which the leakage current was separated into sinusoidal, local arc, or their transition components per halfwave of power frequency. The wavelet transform allowed the detection of the zero-cross point of the base current at 50 Hz without the need for voltage information. The source information regarding the distortion level (I/sub 150 Hz//I/sub 50 Hz/) of the current half-wave separated by the zero-cross point and a time lag to onset in current attributable to arcs are used in order to obtain the above three components. The time-integrated values (cumulative charges) of these components were found to correlate with hydrophobicity and contamination level. It was shown that time variations of the cumulative charges and of their component ratios were useful for estimating the conditions of ceramic and polymeric insulating surfaces.
96 citations
TL;DR: R reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that the synthesis of MnP isozymes is controlled by culture conditions at the transcriptional level.
Abstract: The production of MnP by Pleurotus ostreatus in different liquid cultures was investigated. The highest level of activity was observed after 8 days of culture in peptone-glucose-yeast extract medium (PGY), whereas maximal activity was achieved after 30 days in glucose-yeast extract medium (GY). MnP was purified to homogeneity from PGY (designated MnP-PGY) and GY (MnP-GY). The isoelectric points of MnP-PGY and MnP-GY were 3.77 and 4.06, respectively. The molecular mass of both enzymes was 42 kDa. Analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence of purified MnPs and nucleotide sequence of cloned mnp indicated that MnP-GY has VTCATGQTTANE at the N-terminus, whereas MnP-PGY has ATCADGRTTANA. A putative exposed tryptophan residue (W170) was found in MnP-GY. Both isozymes oxidized veratryl alcohol, although the K
m of MnP-GY was lower than that of MnP-PGY. Thus, the presence of peptone in the medium affected the production of MnP isozymes. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that the synthesis of MnP isozymes is controlled by culture conditions at the transcriptional level.
84 citations
TL;DR: It was deduced that the ranges of inconsistency were caused by experimental errors or additive noise in the data; therefore, excluding the data corresponding to those marginal ranges will prevent misleading analytical conclusions.
Abstract: Background
To cancel experimental variations, microarray data must be normalized prior to analysis. Where an appropriate model for statistical data distribution is available, a parametric method can normalize a group of data sets that have common distributions. Although such models have been proposed for microarray data, they have not always fit the distribution of real data and thus have been inappropriate for normalization. Consequently, microarray data in most cases have been normalized with non-parametric methods that adjust data in a pair-wise manner. However, data analysis and the integration of resultant knowledge among experiments have been difficult, since such normalization concepts lack a universal standard.
77 citations
TL;DR: A gene that confers resistance to the systemic fungicide flutolanil was isolated from a mutant strain of the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus, and this is the first demonstration that a mutation in sdhC can also confer resistance.
Abstract: A gene that confers resistance to the systemic fungicide flutolanil was isolated from a mutant strain of the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus. The flutolanil resistance gene was mapped to a chromosome of approximately 3.2 Mb, and a chromosome-specific cosmid library was constructed. Two cosmid clones that were able to transform a wild-type, flutolanil-sensitive, strain of C. cinereus to resistance were isolated from the library. Analysis of a subclone containing the resistance gene revealed the presence of the sdhC gene, which encodes the cytochrome b560 subunit of the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) complex (Complex II) in the mitochondrial membrane. Comparison between the sdhC gene of a wild-type strain and that of a mutant strain revealed a single point mutation, which results in the replacement of Asn by Lys at position 80. Measurements of succinate-cytochrome c reductase activity in the transformants with mutant sdhC gene(s) suggest that flutolanil resistance of the fungus is caused by a decrease in the affinity of the SDH complex for flutolanil. This sdhC mutation also conferred cross-resistance against another systemic fungicide, carboxin, an anilide that is structurally related to flutolanil. In other organisms carboxin resistance mutations have been found in the genes sdhB and sdhD, but this is the first demonstration that a mutation in sdhC can also confer resistance. The mutant gene cloned in this work can be utilized as a dominant selectable marker in gene manipulation experiments in C. cinereus.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated the change in soil properties, agricultural production and the safety of FGDG as a soil amendment in China and found that the contents of almost all metals in FGDGs were lower than in soil.
Abstract: Flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG), the by-product of wet and semi-dry desulfurization processes, has been used as an alkali soil amendment in China. We evaluated the change in soil properties, agricultural production and the safety of FGDG as a soil amendment. As a result, soil pH and ESP (exchangeable sodium percentage) decreased and corn production increased in FGDG-treated plots. The metal (B, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Pb) contents in soil, FGDG, and corn grains were quantified by ICP-MS. Consequently, the contents of almost all metals in FGDG were lower than in soil. Moreover, the contents of almost all of the metals in the corn grains in the FGDG-treated plots were almost the same or lower than those in the control plot. Statistical analysis indicated that there was no effect of gypsum application on the metal content in the corn grains. Almost all of the metal contents were lower than the standard values set by FAO/WHO for human intake. The results showed that the FGDG from wet and semi-dry FGD p...
TL;DR: The association between forest dynamics and biomass fluctuation, and the implication for carbon cycling in mature forests with emphasis on forest monitoring and assessments of soil and decomposition systems, is discussed.
Abstract: To clarify consistency in the size of carbon pool of a lowland tropical rainforest, we calculated changes in above-ground biomass in the Pasoh Forest Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. We estimated the total above- ground biomass of a mature stand using tree census data obtained in a 6-ha plot every 2 years from 1994 to 1998. The total above-ground biomass decreased consistently from 1994 (431 Mg ha - 1 ) to 1998 (403 Mg ha - 1 ) (1 Mg = 10 3 kg). These are much lower than that in 1973 for a 0.2 ha portion of the same area, suggesting that the the total above-ground biomass reduction might have been consistent in recent decades. This trend contrasted with a major trend for neotropical forests. During 1994-1998, the forest gained 23.0 and 0.88 Mg ha - 1 of the total above-ground biomass by tree growth and recruitment, respec- tively, and lost 51.9 Mg ha - 1 by mortality. Overall, the biomass decreased by 28.4 Mg ha - 1 (i.e. 7.10 Mg ha - 1 ·year - 1 ), which is almost equivalent to losing a 76-cm-diameter living tree per hectare per year. Analysis of positive and negative components of biomass change revealed that deaths of large trees dominated the total above-ground biomass decrease. The forest biomass also varied spatially, with the total above-ground biomass density ranging 212-655 Mg ha - 1 on a 0.2-ha basis ( n = 30 subplots, 1998) and 365-440 Mg ha - 1 on a 1 ha basis. A large decrease of the total above-ground biomass density ( > 50 Mg per ha per 2 years) in several 0.2-ha subplots contributed to the overall decrease in the 6-ha total above-ground biomass. In the present study, we discuss the association between forest dynamics and biomass fluctuation, and the implication for carbon cycling in mature forests with emphasis on forest monitoring and assessments of soil and decomposition systems.
TL;DR: The oxidative cleavage of sulfide bonds by C. subvermispora demonstrates that ligninolytic basidiomycetes are potential microbes for the biological devulcanization of rubber products.
TL;DR: To promote the implementation of genetic analyses and breeding programs, a set of microsatellite markers insweetpotato should be developed, which cover the entire sweetpotato genome using three different methods: screening of a small-insert genomic library, construction of a micros satellite-enriched library (51-fold enrichment) and mining of EST databases.
Abstract: To promote the implementation of genetic analyses and breeding programs, a set of microsatellite markers in sweetpotato should be developed, which cover the entire sweetpotato genome. To achieve this objective, 102 polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed using three different methods: 1) screening of a small-insert genomic library, 2) construction of a microsatellite-enriched library (51-fold enrichment) and 3) mining of EST databases. Approximately 8,000 clones of the small-insert library were screened with (GA)20 and (CA)20 probes, and 42 positive clones were identified. One hundred and twenty-two clones containing microsatellites were identified from the enriched library, which consisted of 800 clones. Thirty-two and 47 primer pairs were designed for these clones containing microsatellites from the small-insert library and enriched library, respectively. Among the sweetpotato accessions examined, 27 of these microsatellite markers showed polymorphism. Eventually, 4,153 sequences from a published expressed sequence tag (EST) databases were mined as a source for the development of microsatellite markers, and 379 sequences containing microsatellites were identified. A total of 151 primer pairs were designed and 120 scorable microsatellite markers were obtained. Seventy-five EST-SSR loci showed length polymorphisms. Of these polymorphic loci, 71 % were associated with some genes.
TL;DR: FlnE was identified as a serine hydrolase for the meta-cleavage products that yield phthalate and FlnD is a heteromeric protein encoded by flnD1 and ORF16, being a member of the class III two-subunit extradiol dioxygenase.
Abstract: Genes involved in the degradation of fluorene to phthalate were characterized in the fluorene degrader Terrabacter sp. strain DBF63. The initial attack on both fluorene and 9-fluorenone was catalyzed by DbfA to yield 9-fluorenol and 1,1a-dihydroxy-1-hydro-9-fluorenone, respectively. The FlnB protein exhibited activities against both 9-fluorenol and 1,1a-dihydroxy-1-hydro-9-fluorenone to produce 9-fluorenone and 2'-carboxy-2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl, respectively. FlnD is a heteromeric protein encoded by flnD1 and ORF16, being a member of the class III two-subunit extradiol dioxygenase. FlnE was identified as a serine hydrolase for the meta-cleavage products that yield phthalate.
TL;DR: In this article, the chemical, morphological, and electrical changes of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and alumina trihydrate (ATH) material system subjected to dry-band discharges produced on the material surface by sustained moisture and contamination buildup.
Abstract: This is the first of a two-part series on the chemical, morphological, and electrical changes of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and alumina trihydrate (ATH) material system subjected to dry-band discharges produced on the material surface by sustained moisture and contamination buildup. This system possesses both stable hydrophobicity restricting water-film formation as a path of leakage current and high resistance to electrically conductive path (track) formation induced by dry-band discharges, contributing to the recent innovation of polymeric outdoor insulation technology. The PDMS/ATH system has been believed to be resistant to track formation (tracking). However, it was observed in the present study that the PDMS/ATH system occasionally allows track formation leading to a dielectric breakdown in an internationally standardized tracking test, with the carbon concentrations in the formed track being measured at a mere /spl sim/1% wt. The unknown phenomenon of tracking of the PDMS/ATH system was studied here from the perspective of chemical structure and of electrical insulation. This first paper describes the chemical and morphological changes of the PDMS/ATH system subjected to dry-band discharges. A comparison with the thermal decomposition behavior of the PDMS/ATH system heated in the presence and absence of oxygen was carried out to better our understanding of the tracking mechanism. Amorphous SiO/sub 2/ and mullite 3Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/.2SiO/sub 2/ were primarily produced by the dry-band discharges, while cristobalite SiO/sub 2/ and mullite 3Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/.2SiO/sub 2/ were produced by thermal decomposition in either air or nitrogen gas. Cristobalite SiO/sub 2/ and mullite 3Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/.2SiO/sub 2/ are basic ingredients of ceramic insulators, which may contribute to recycling of the PDMS/ATH system. The structure of carbon deposited in the track was not absolute graphite, and its concentration was much higher than that of the heated system. Finally, we propose herein models of the chemical changes induced by dry-band discharges as well as heat treatments.
01 Dec 2004
TL;DR: The aggregation phenomena in a polydisperse colloidal dispersion composed of ferromagnetic particles is investigated by means of the cluster-moving Monte Carlo method and the results have been compared with those for a monodisperse system.
Abstract: We have investigated the aggregation phenomena in a polydisperse colloidal dispersion composed of ferromagnetic particles by means of the cluster-moving Monte Carlo method. The results have been compared with those for a monodisperse system. The internal structures of aggregates have been analyzed in terms of the radial distribution function in order to clarify the quantitative differences in the internal structures of clusters. In addition, the cluster size distribution and angular distribution function have been investigated. The results obtained in the present study are summarized as follows. In a monodisperse system, open necklacelike clusters are formed and they extend with increasing strength of the magnetic particle–particle interaction. In a polydisperse system with a small standard deviation in the particle size distribution, σ = 0.2 , larger necklacelike clusters are formed and some looplike clusters can also be observed. In a polydisperse system with a larger standard deviation, σ = 0.35 , clumplike clusters are formed for a weak magnetic particle–particle interaction. For a stronger magnetic interaction, larger size clusters that exhibit a complicated network structure are formed. These complicated cluster formations found in a polydisperse system are mainly due to the effect of the presence of larger particles.
TL;DR: Model experiments using dihydroflavonols confirmed the occurrence of oxidative dehydrogenation and/or intramolecular rearrangement during the hydrothermal treatment at higher temperatures.
TL;DR: It is concluded that AqpL1 is a water channel gene, however, it demonstrated much higher osmotic water permeability in tobacco cells than in oocytes, consistent with the notion that AQpL 1 is involved in regulating water and/or other solutes transport across the plant cell membrane.
Abstract: Membrane intrinsic proteins (MIP) facilitate the osmotic water transport across biomembranes and are involved in the transcellular and intracellular water flow in plants. An aquaporin-like gene, AqpL1, was isolated from lily flower using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AqpL1 was a member of PIP1 subfamily. The results of northern hybridization indicated AqpL1 expressed in the whole plant but most strongly in young petal. Its expression decreased remarkably with flower age. AqpL1 gene could be properly expressed by in vitro translation and showed a 26 kDa monomer band revealed by autoradiography. Injection of AqpL1 cRNA into Xenopus oocytes resulted in an increase of the osmotic water permeability (Pf = 0.72 × 10−2 ± 0.05 cm s−1) for about 2–3 times compared to that (Pf = 0.24 × 10−2 ± 0.07 cm s−1) of the cells injected with water. Overexpression of AqpL1 in tobacco could greatly increase osmotic water permeability of leaf protoplasts (Pos-WT : Pos-L1 = 0.7 × 10−1 cm s−1 : 4.3 × 10−1 cm s−1) and water conductivity of leaf cells (RWL-WT : RWL-L1 = 3.3% : 13.2%). It is concluded that AqpL1 is a water channel gene. However, it demonstrated much higher osmotic water permeability in tobacco cells than in oocytes. These results are consistent with the notion that AqpL1 is involved in regulating water and/or other solutes transport across the plant cell membrane.
TL;DR: The kinetics of muscle oxygenation by near infrared spectroscopy in the decreasing force phase is clarified, especially the pre- and post-phases of the inflection point, in sustained maximal static gripping (SSG), and the relationship between kinetic parameters and force-decreasing parameters is examined.
Abstract: The purposes of this study were to clarify the kinetics of muscle oxygenation (Oxy-Hb, Deoxy-Hb) by near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) in the decreasing force phase, especially the pre- and post-phases of the inflection point, in sustained maximal static gripping (SSG), and to examine the relationship between kinetics of muscle oxygenation and force-decreasing parameters. The experiment was conducted on 20 male subjects aged 15–18 years. The time at the lowest Oxy-Hb value (20.5±5.5 s) significantly correlated with the decreasing times of forces of 40, 60 and 80% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), and the rate of decreasing force for 0–1 min (r=.60, .53, .49, and −.63 respectively). These parameters reflect the decreasing force based on the oxygenation deficiency into the muscle with the obstruction of the blood flow. The time of reaching the highest Deoxy-Hb value (46.8±15.0 s) and the regression coefficient in the Deoxy-Hb decreasing phase correlated significantly with the decrement for 1–2 min. This parameter evaluates the phase where resumption of the blood flow began, and Deoxy-Hb in the tissue was eliminated. The inflection point of the gripping force is related to the time at the highest Deoxy-Hb, and reflects the beginning and the resumption of the blood flow. The decrement for 2–3 min and the regression coefficient of post-inflection point evaluate the steady state phase of force decreasing, in which oxygen is sufficiently supplied to active muscles.
TL;DR: In this paper, the tensile properties of Sn-8 mass % Zn-3 mass % Bi and Sn-58 mass % bi low-melting lead-free solders were investigated and compared with those of a Sn-Pb eutectic solder.
Abstract: The tensile properties of Sn–8 mass % Zn–3 mass % Bi and Sn–58 mass % Bi low-melting lead-free solders were investigated and compared with those of a Sn–Pb eutectic solder. The tensile strength decreases with decreasing strain rate and increasing temperature. The tensile strength of each solder is approximately double that of the Sn–Pb solder at room temperature (RT). The ductility of each solder is inferior to that of the Sn–Pb solder. From the results of strain-rate-change tests, the stress exponents and the activation energies for creep of Sn–58Bi and Sn–8Zn–3Bi were also examined.
TL;DR: Apparently, the AK-6b gene acts, in SH medium, to redirect the synthesis of scopolin in tobacco tissues towards the preferential synthesis of caffeic acid derivatives and flavonoids.
TL;DR: In this paper, a simple model considering grain-size distribution has been fabricated based on the random anisotropy model, which indicates that the effective magnetic anisotropic increases with increasing width of the grain size distribution even if the mean grain size is constant.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the magnetization process of the melt-spun glassy Fe-(Al, Ga)-(P, C, B, Si) alloys to clarify the origin of low coercivity of the glassy alloys.
Abstract: The density and the magnetization process of the melt-spun glassy Fe-(Al, Ga)-(P, C, B, Si) alloys are investigated to clarify the origin of low coercivity of the glassy alloys. The differences of the density (Δρ c ) between the crystalline and the amorphous phases of glassy Fe-(Al, Ga)-(P, C, B, Si) alloys are much smaller than those of the ordinary amorphous Fe-B(-Si) alloys. The H - 1 -power law behavior of ΔJ (= J s - J, where J s is the saturation magnetization) is observed for both the glassy and ordinary amorphous systems in the magnetic field (H) range of 20-25 < μ 0 H ≤ 50 mT. In the high magnetic field range of 50 ≤ μ 0 H < 70 mT, ΔJ of both the alloy systems obeys the H - 2 -power law. The length of the effective Burgers vector and width of quasi-dislocation dipole (QDD) type defects are nearly independent of the alloy system. This means that the local volume contraction is independent of the alloy system, but the density of QDDs in the glassy alloys is much smaller than the ordinary amorphous alloys because the glassy alloys exhibit much smaller Δρ c than the ordinary amorphous alloys. Since the coercivity originates from elastic stress of QDDs is proportional to (Δρ c ) 1 / 2 , the origin of low coercivity of the Fe-(Al, Ga)-(P, C, B, Si) glassy alloys is the low density of QDDs which corresponds to low density of the domain-wall pinning centers.
TL;DR: This paper gives first a tutorial on Grobner bases, and then a survey of the design of multidimensional wavelets and filter banks, in the hope that it will further bring awareness of and stimulate interest in Grobners bases among researchers in signal and image processing.
TL;DR: The effects of stilbene glucosides and related compounds on termite feeding behavior were investigated using paper disc methods against the subterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus and methylation of isorhapontigenin increased its termiticidal activity.
Abstract: The effects of stilbene glucosides and related compounds on termite feeding behavior were investigated using paper disc methods against the subterranean termite Reticulitermes speratus. The stilbene-rich fraction and isorhapontin (3′-methoxy-3,4′, 5-trihydroxystilbene-3-β-d-glucoside) from bark extracts of Picea glehnii showed avoidance by termites in choice tests. In the no-choice tests using compounds purified from the stilbene-rich fraction, the largest feeding deterrent effect was observed for piceid (3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene-3-β-d-glucoside), followed by isorhapontin, and astringin (3,3′,4′,5-tetrahydroxystilbene-3-β-d-glucoside), at the concentrations from 0.63 to 2.5 µmol/disc. No change in activity was observed at retentions of more than 5.0 µmol/disc. When the activities of isorhapontin and its aglycone derivative (isorhapontigenin: 3′-methoxy-3,4′,5-trihydroxystilbene) were compared with that of taxifolin (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavanone) in the no-choice test, the stilbenes exhibited a larger antifeedant potential. Methylation of isorhapontigenin increased its termiticidal activity.
TL;DR: In this research, ion-ex exchange equilibria using 16 anion-exchange resins and 9 organic acids including monocarboxylic and monosulfonic acids were investigated and it could be confirmed that the proposed equation applied to the ion exchange with these monoorganic acids.
TL;DR: It was inferred that the new test measures a somewhat different ability than that measured by the pursuit-rotor and pegboard test and that the abilities tested by the types of displayed demand values are somewhat different.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine concurrent validity of a new test for coordinated exertion of force. Coordinated exertion of force was measured using computerized target pursuit from the following viewpoints: the relations between the new test, a pursuit-rotor test, and a pegboard test. College students (24 men and 24 women) were required to change their grip exertion to match changing demand values (displayed in either a bar chart or a wave form) appearing on the display of a personal computer. The sum of the differences between the demanded values and grip-exertion values for 25 sec. was a parameter to evaluate the new test. The reliabilities of the new test, the pursuit-rotor, and the pegboard test were acceptable (ICC = .70 to .99). Scores on the new test showed low correlations with the pursuit-rotor and the pegboard test. The relation between the two different displays in the new test was significant but low (r = .49, p < .05). It was inferred that the new test measures a somewhat different ability than that measured by the pursuit-rotor and pegboard test and that the abilities tested by the types of displayed demand values are somewhat different.
TL;DR: In this paper, a depth profiling analysis of wood samples using Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) was carried out to obtain information on the chemical changes caused by weathering.
Abstract: Depth profiling analysis of wood samples using Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS) was carried out to obtain information on the chemical changes caused by weathering. The test samples used for PAS measurements were tropical wood species, puspa (Schima wallichii Korth) and kapur (Dryobalanop lanceolata Burck), that were exposed outdoors for periods of 2–32 weeks. FTIR-PAS spectra of the weathered surfaces were recorded at various moving-mirror velocities in the range from 0.081 to 0.56 cm/s (linear-scan method) to provide the depth profiling analysis. The band intensity of vibrations attributed to phenyl groups clearly decreased as weathering proceeded and demonstrated a tendency to be reduced with a decrease in the photoacoustic probing depth during relatively short weathering periods. The bands of C=O groups also exhibited remarkable spectral changes. The PAS spectra of the tropical wood changed considerably during the 32 weeks of weathering, and their spectral contours gradually approached that of pure cellulose (microcrystalline). It was noted that FTIR-PAS is very useful for depth profiling analysis of the wood surface in the early stages of deterioration.