Akita Prefectural University

About: Akita Prefectural University is a education organization based out in Akita, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Magnetic field & Starch. The organization has 1631 authors who have published 3107 publications receiving 45764 citations. The organization is also known as: Akita kenritsu daigaku.

A thermodynamic model of transcriptome formation

Abstract: The genome supplies information on both the quality and quantity of the transcriptome. However, as it remains unknown how a cell determines transcript levels from the genome sequences, despite comprehensive knowledge of the cellular components involved, the quantity information held by the genome cannot as yet be derived from nucleotide sequences. The model presented here explains on a thermodynamic basis how the components decode the genome to form and maintain the transcriptome. The model describes the level of a transcript as a pseudo-equilibrium between velocities of synthesis and degradation, both of which are controlled by sequence-specific interactions between protein factors and nucleic acids. Each of the transcript levels can be described by a single equation expressing a function of the activity concentrations of the protein factors. Quantitative information in the genome can thus be transformed into constants determined from the nucleotide sequences. Using this model, the transcriptome can be traced back to the protein factors and the state of chromosome packaging. The total description of transcript levels allows the model to be verified through comparison of derived hypotheses with comprehensive measurements of the transcriptome. The hypotheses thus derived in the present study are well supported by experimental microarray data, confirming the appropriateness of the model.

Stable 35-W Er: ZBLAN fiber laser with CaF2 end caps

Abstract: We successfully demonstrate a 2838 nm erbium-doped fluoride fiber laser with an average output power of 35 W, and record an hour of continuous operation at 30 W. The temporal and spectral stability of the 2.8 μm laser represent a significant improvement over previous work. The success of this work can be largely attributed to the development of component technologies such as fiber Bragg grating fabrication and fine fusion splicing of fiber/fiber and a fiber endcap.

Distribution of boron in wood treated with aqueous and methanolic boric acid solutions

Abstract: The distributions of boron in Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) sapwood blocks treated with aqueous or methanolic boric acid [B(OH)3] solutions were explored through Raman spectroscopy and prompt gamma-ray analysis (PGA). B(OH)3 was the sole boron species observed in Raman spectra of the wood blocks treated with either solution. Plots of weight gain of the treated wood blocks versus boron concentration in treatment solutions were found to be linear. The results indicated that the methanolic solution makes it possible to impregnate wood with much larger amounts of boron than the aqueous solution. PGA confirmed that B(OH)3 was highly enriched near the end grains of the treated wood blocks. Raman measurements suggested that boron content in the bulk of the wood block is not as large as expected from the weight gain of the treated wood blocks when an ordinary air-drying method is used. It was concluded that the aqueous solution impregnates the cell walls of wood with boron more easily than the methanolic solution.