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.

Identification of the intracellular polyhydroxyalkanoate depolymerase gene of Paracoccus denitrificans and some properties of the gene product

Abstract: Paracoccus denitrificans degraded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) in the cells under carbon source starvation. Intracellular poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) (PHA) depolymerase gene ( phaZ ) was identified near the PHA synthase gene ( phaC ) of P. denitrificans . Cell extract of Escherichia coli carrying lacZ–phaZ fusion gene degraded protease-treated PHB granules. Reaction products were thought to be mainly D (−)-3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) dimer and 3HB oligomer. Diisopropylfluorophosphonate and Triton X-100 exhibited an inhibitory effect on the degradation of PHB granules. When cell extract of the recombinant E. coli was used, Mg 2+ ion inhibited PHB degradation. However, the inhibitory effect by Mg 2+ ion was not observed using the cell extract of P. denitrificans .

On slant curves in sasakian 3-manifolds

Abstract: A classical theorem by Lancret says that a curve in Euclidean 3-space is of constant slope if and only if its ratio of curvature and torsion is constant. In this paper we study Lancret type problems for curves in Sasakian 3-manifolds.

A case study on the costs and the fuel consumption of harvesting, transporting, and chipping chains for logging residues in Japan

Abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the feasibility of a harvesting and transporting system for logging residues including the cost, energy, and carbon dioxide (CO2) effectiveness of fossil energy substitution with logging residues in Japan. “A harvesting and transporting system for logging residues” was constructed with reference to some European countries, where the utilization of bioenergy is making steady progress, and examined based on field experiments in Japanese forestry. The feasibility of the system was discussed from the standpoints of cost, energy, and CO2, and the system was compared with those of European countries. Concerning the system, it is desirable that the process of chipper comminuting should be incorporated into the system as early as possible. Although such a system is not particularly feasible in Japan from the standpoint of cost, it is suggested that it should be possible for Japan to reduce the domestic CO2 emissions by utilizing logging residues as alternative energy resources. A comparison with the European countries and a preliminary sensitivity analysis to the system demonstrate that the technical development to reduce the total cost, e.g., improving the forwarding and transporting efficiency, is essential for realizing bioenergy utilization in Japan.

Estimation of Drought Tolerance Based on Leaf Temperature in Upland Rice Breeding

Abstract: The evaluation of drought tolerance based on the leaf temperature was examined in upland rice breeding. The relationships of the leaf temperature with the transpiration and photosynthetic rates were observed in upland and lowland rice varieties under upland cultivation in 1995, 1996 and 1997. The leaf temperature of the upland rice varieties was lower than that of the lowland rice varieties. Their transpiration and photosynthetic rates were highly correlated with the leaf temperature, measured using an infrared radiation thermometer or portable photosynthesis gas analyzing system in all the three years. The leaf temperature also showed a significant relationship with the grain yield tested in 1995. It is considered that rice varieties with a lower leaf temperature can maintain high transpiration and photosynthetic rates as well as produce a high yield under upland conditions. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the leaf temperature and root growth recorded by the trench method. Upland rice varieties with deep rooting showed lower leaf temperatures than those with a shallower root system. On the other hand, in the comparison of leaf temperature in varietal groups of breeding materials, the upland rice lines with medium-late maturity showed the lowest temperature, followed by the early maturing lines and lines for cultivation with sprinkler irrigation. This tendency was in agreement with the general degree of drought tolerance of individual varietal groups. To analyze the mode of inheritance of the leaf temperature, the parent-offspring correlation of leaf temperature measured using an infrared radiation thermometer was examined in breeding materials. Leaf temperature was compared between the progeny lines (F4 generation) of the upland rice variety Kantomochi168 with a high drought tolerance and the upland rice variety Norinmochi4 with a medium drought tolerance. Kantomochi168 progeny showed a lower leaf temperature than Norinmochi4. A similar tendency was confirmed in the F5 generation in the following year. Significant parental-offspring correlation (r = 0.812**) was observed between F4 and F5. Since the leaf temperature of the upland rice progeny may display a relatively higher inheritance, the leaf temperature is, therefore, considered to be a useful indicator to estimate the drought tolerance for line selection in upland rice breeding.