Utsunomiya University

About: Utsunomiya University is a education organization based out in Utsunomiya, Japan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Laser & Holography. The organization has 4139 authors who have published 6812 publications receiving 91975 citations. The organization is also known as: Utsunomiya daigaku.

Dynamic circulation in a complex plasma.

Abstract: The dynamic circulation of dust particles in a cylindrical complex plasma is studied experimentally. A levitated cloud of charged dust particles rotates around an axis in an ion flow induced by the coupling of applied magnetic field with the electric field due to plasma density gradient. The vertical and horizontal cross sections of the cloud reveal the dynamic circulation with helical trajectories of dust particles with meridional ascending motion near the axis. The dust particles in the center bottom in the cloud remain near a stagnation point and act like tea leaves in a teacup as described by Einstein in 1926.

F-K XANES Studies of Alkaline-Earth Fluorides

Abstract: F-K X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra of alkaline-earth fluorides have been measured with a high energy resolution using synchrotron radiation. Calculations for the observed XANES spectra have been also carried out by use of the short-range order multiple scattering theory. By comparing the observed spectra with the calculated results, we can estimate the effective anion charge distribution of -0.6, -0.65 and -0.795 for MgF 2 , CaF 2 and SrF 2 , respectively. These calculated F K-edge XANES spectra of alkaline-earth fluorides are more sensitive to the charge distribution than cation K-edge XANES.

Formation and structure of reaction wood in Buxus microphylla var. insularis Nakai

Abstract: Anatomical differences in xylem between the upper and lower sides formed in the inclined stems of Buxus microphylla with different angular displacement from the vertical were examined microscopically. B. microphylla exhibited a pronounced growth promotion on the lower side of the inclined stems. Formation of tension wood (gelatinous fibers) was not observed. Xylem formed on the lower side showed some interesting features resembling the compression wood formed in gymnosperms. The reaction wood tracheids and vessels showed an excessive lignification in their secondary walls but lacked both helical cavities and an S3 layer, features that were almost the same as those of primitive gymnosperms. These results indicate that B. microphylla has an ability to form compression wood, suggesting that in the genus Buxus a different mechanism in the conducting elements was developed in the phylogenetic evolution.

Effects of High Temperature on Pollen Quality, Ovule Fertilization and Development of Embryo and Achene in 'Tochiotome' Strawberry

Abstract: Effects of high temperature (HT) on pollen quality, ovule fertilization and development of embryo and achene were investigated in relation to fruit malformation in ‘Tochiotome’ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.). When the flower bud of the first inflorescence was developing, plants were transferred to HT (32/27°C) and control temperature (CT: 27/22°C) rooms. At anthesis, anthers were collected from flowers in the first (1st) and second (2nd) inflorescences to examine pollen viability and germination. Both viability and germination were not significantly different between the two temperatures and inflorescences. Approximately 90–93% of ovules were fertilized under CT in both inflorescences; however, the fertilized percentage of ovules in HT-1st was only 52% and significantly increased to 85% in HT-2nd. Embryo development in both inflorescences was accelerated by HT: embryos from HT regimes were in heart- and torpedo-shaped stages at 6 and 8 DAP while those of CT were still in globular- and heart-shaped stage. The transverse and longitudinal lengths of embryos under HT increased more rapidly than under CT. Embryo abortion in the globular stage was found at 2 and 6 DAP under HT-2nd. Relationships between the percentages of three types of achenes (unfertilized (Un), aborted (Ab), and normally developed (Nd) achenes) and degrees of fruit malformation were examined. Ripe fruits were graded into five fruit shape scores (0–4), 0 = well shaped fruit, and 4 = severely malformed. Nd achenes in CT-1st and CT-2nd were approximately 70% with fruit shape score; 0.8 and 0.2, respectively, whereas those in HT-1st and HT-2nd were 38 and 54% with high malformed shape score: 2.8 and 1.8. Un achene in HT-1st was 45%, while only 9% was found in HT-2nd. The Ab achenes rate was remarkably increased to 31% in HT-2nd treatment, these suggesting that the sudden rise of temperature after flower bud initiation lowered the ovule fertilization rate and raised the unfertilized achene rate, resulting in a high degree of fruit malformation in HT-1st, while longer HT increased achene abortion during early embryogenesis due to low pistil potential, and finally induced fruit malformation in HT-2nd.

Effects of Interior Plantscapes on Indoor Environments and Stress Level of High School Students

Abstract: Case studies were performed in two high schools (designated K and J) in Seoul, Korea in order to examine how in-class plantscapes consisting of ornamental plants affected the indoor environment and the stress level of students. Forty-two healthy female students, 16 to 17 years old, were assigned to classrooms with or without plantscapes. Although the differences were small, plants lowered the temperature, raised the relative humidity in the classrooms, and reduced the amount of airborne fine particles. Positive descriptors such as ‘clean’, ‘soft’, ‘comfortable’, and ‘fresh’ were used by the students to describe the classrooms with plants in both schools after installation of the plants. The stress level of the students was lower in rooms with plants than without in school K and but not in school J; students in control rooms in both schools did not show a significant change in stress. Saliva cortisol content, a physiological indicator of stress, was not reduced by the presence of plants in either school; however, the number of visits to the infirmary was lower for students in rooms with plants than in the control rooms at both schools. The results indicate that the presence of plants improved the physical environment, the general ambience (i.e., appropriate place for classes’ and ‘relaxed place’), and reduced the level of stress among the students. The role of the interior plantscapes in living spaces is discussed.