Kagawa University

About: Kagawa University is a education organization based out in Takamatsu, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cancer & Population. The organization has 6028 authors who have published 11918 publications receiving 224111 citations. The organization is also known as: Kagawa Daigaku.

Monophyletic origin of naked barley inferred from molecular analyses of a marker closely linked to the naked caryopsis gene (nud)

Abstract: To elucidate the origin of naked barley, molecular variation of the marker sKT7 tightly linked to the nud locus was examined. A total of 259 (53 wild, 106 hulled domesticated, and 100 naked domesticated) barley accessions were studied. Restriction analysis of the sKT7 PCR-amplified product revealed the alleles I, II, III, and IV. All four alleles were found in wild barley, but allele IV was found only in a single accession from southwestern Iran. Hulled domesticated accessions showed alleles I, II, or III, but all naked domesticated accessions had allele IV. The distribution of allele IV in wild barley and its pervasive presence in naked domesticated lines support the conclusion that naked barley has a monophyletic origin, probably in southwestern Iran. The available results suggest two scenarios for the origin of naked barley: either directly from a wild barley with allele IV or from a hulled domesticated line with allele IV that later became extinct. Naked domesticated accessions from different regions of the world have extremely homogeneous DNA sequences at the sKT7 locus, supporting the monophyletic origin of naked barley. For allele IV, four haplotypes (IVb to IVe) were found in 30 naked accessions: IVb was predominant (66.7%) and widely distributed, while the other three haplotypes, differing by only one nucleotide at different positions relative to IVb, showed a localized distribution. The geographical distribution of the haplotypes of sKT7 allele IV suggests migration routes of naked domesticated barley in central and eastern Asia.

Correlation between the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness measured with cirrus HD-OCT and macular visual field sensitivity measured with microperimetry.

Abstract: PURPOSE To evaluate relationships between the macular visual field (VF) mean sensitivity and the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCA) thicknesses. METHODS Seventy-one glaucoma patients and 29 healthy subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. At each visit, GCA thicknesses were measured by Cirrus HD-OCT and static threshold perimetry was performed using Macular Integrity Assessment (MAIA). The relationship between the VF sensitivity and GCA thickness was examined globally, and in the superior hemiretina, inferior hemiretina, and six VF sectors with both VF and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in retinal view. Regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the GCA thickness and macular sensitivity. RESULTS Macular VF sensitivity (dB) and GCA thickness relationships were statistically significant in each sector (R = 0.365-0.706, all P < 0.001). The highest correlation observed was between the inferotemporal average mean sensitivity and the inferotemporal average GCA thickness (R = 0.706) with both VF and OCT in retinal view. Strength of the structure-function relationship for each of the corresponding inferior sectors was higher than those for the corresponding superior sectors. The strength of the structure-function relationship of the temporal sector was higher than that of the nasal sector. CONCLUSIONS GCA thickness measured by Cirrus HD-OCT showed statistically significant structure-function associations with central VF. Inferotemporal central VF had the strongest association.

Distribution and mobility of aluminium in an Al‐accumulating plant, Fagopyrum esculentum Moench.

Abstract: Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench. cv. Jianxi) accumulates high concentrations of Al in the leaves without showing any toxicity. To understand the accumulation mechanism of Al in buckwheat, the distribution and mobility of Al in buckwheat were investigated. Relatively long-term treatment (28 d) with Al led to a decrease in Al concentration from old to young leaves, while a short-term (1 d) exposure to Al resulted in a uniform distribution of Al in the leaves. When the fourth leaf was wrapped inside a transparent plastic bag to suppress transpiration, the Al concentration of this leaf was only one-quarter of that in the corresponding leaf without wrapping. Within a leaf, the Al concentration at the margins was much higher than that in the centre. These results indicate that Al distribution in the leaves is controlled by both rate and duration of transpiration. The mobility of Al between old and new leaves was studied by first growing plants in a solution with Al, followed by culture in a solution without Al. The Al content in the two new leaves appeared after removal of external Al was very low, whereas that in the old leaves did not decrease but continued to increase. The increased Al content was found to be translocated from Al remaining in the roots. It is concluded that Al is not mobile once it is accumulated in the leaf.

Fish-like underwater microrobot with 3 DOF

Abstract: It is our purpose to develop an underwater microrobot that has the characteristics of flexibility, driven by a low voltage, good response and safety in body. We propose a prototype model of an underwater microrobot utilizing an ICPF (ionic conducting polymer film) actuator as the servo actuator to realize swimming motion with 3 DOF. A biomimetic fish-like microrobot using an ICPF actuator as a propulsion tail fin and a buoyancy adjuster for a microrobot swimming structure in water or aqueous medium has been developed. The overall size of the underwater microrobot prototype shaped as a fish is 45mm in length, 10 mm in width and 4 mm in thickness. There is a pair of fins and a buoyancy adjuster. The characteristics of the underwater microrobot is measured by changing the frequency and amplitude of input voltage. The experimental results indicate that the swimming speed of the proposed underwater micro robot can be controlled by changing the frequency of input voltage; the moving direction (upward or downward) can be controlled by changing the amplitude and the frequency of input voltage.

Indices for characterizing driving style and their relevance to car following behavior

Abstract: In driver support system studies, it is concerned that mismatch between driver and machine may occur. One of the methods for its solution is to understand driver's behavior, which may be affected by driving style as driver's individual characteristic. In this study, "Driving Style Questionnaire" (DSQ) which had 8 scales was developed from a questionnaire survey and principal component analysis. Then, through an application to analysis of car following behavior at low speed, validity of the DSQ was examined by correlation analysis with behavioral indices and its usefulness was shown from modeling approach. The DSQ will contribute to characterizing drivers.