Near-infrared spectroscopic sensing system for on-line milk quality assessment in a milking robot

A near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic sensing system was constructed on an experimental basis. This system enabled NIR spectra of raw milk to be obtained in an automatic milking system (milking robot system) over a wavelength range of 600–1050 nm. Calibration models for determining three major milk constituents (fat, protein and lactose), somatic cell count (SCC) and milk urea nitrogen (MUN) of unhomogenized milk were developed, and the precision and accuracy of the models were validated. The coefficient of determination (r²) and standard error of prediction (SEP) of the validation set for fat were 0.95 and 0.25%, respectively. The values of r² and SEP for lactose were 0.83 and 0.26%, those for protein were 0.72 and 0.15%, those for SCC were 0.68 and 0.28 log SCC/mL, and those for MUN were 0.53 and 1.50 mg/dL, respectively. These results indicate that the NIR spectroscopic system can be used to assess milk quality in real-time in an automatic milking system. The system can provide dairy farmers with information on milk quality and physiological condition of an individual cow and, therefore, give them feedback control for optimizing dairy farm management. By using the system, dairy farmers will be able to produce high-quality milk and precision dairy farming will be realized.     

Non‐target‐site mechanism of glyphosate resistance in Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)

In Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, glyphosate‐resistant Lolium multiflorum is a serious problem on the levees of rice paddies and in wheat fields. The mechanism of resistance of this biotype was analyzed. Based on LD₅₀, the resistant population was 2.8–5.0 times more resistant to glyphosate than the susceptible population. The 5‐enolpyruvyl‐shikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS) gene sequence of the resistant biotype did not show a non‐synonymous substitution at Pro106, and amplification of the gene was not observed in the resistant biotype. The metabolism and translocation of glyphosate were examined 4 days after application through the direct detection of glyphosate and its metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) using liquid chromatograph‐tandem mass spectrometer (LC‐MS/MS). AMPA was not detected in either biotype in glyphosate‐treated leaves or the other plant parts. The respective absorption rates of the susceptible and resistant biotypes were 37.90 ± 3.63% and 41.09 ± 3.36%, respectively, which were not significantly different. The resistant biotype retained more glyphosate in a glyphosate‐treated leaf (91.36 ± 1.56% of absorbed glyphosate) and less in the untreated parts of shoots (5.90 ± 1.17%) and roots (2.76 ± 0.44%) compared with the susceptible biotype, 79.58 ± 3.73%, 15.77 ± 3.06% and 4.65 ± 0.89%, respectively. The results indicate that the resistance mechanism is neither the acquisition of a metabolic system nor limiting the absorption of glyphosate but limited translocation of the herbicide in the resistant biotype of L. multiflorum in Shizuoka Prefecture.     

Oocyte maturation and active motility of spermatozoa are triggered by retinoic acid in pen shell <Emphasis Type="Italic">Atrina pectinata</Emphasis>

For recovery of the declining population of pen shells in the wild, the production of pen shell juveniles for transplantation or aquaculture is underway in Japan. For more stable juvenile production, artificial fertilization methods for pen shells are needed, but methods to induce oocyte maturation (meiosis resumption) used in other bivalves, which make oocytes fertilizable, were ineffective for pen shells. Here, we report evidence showing that retinoic acid (RA) has strong activity in inducing oocyte maturation and activating sperm motility in pen shells. Treatment of fully developed oocytes with 1.0 μM all-trans-RA (at-RA) induced germinal vesicle breakdown, a typical morphological sign of oocyte maturation, but 1.0 μM at-retinol and at-retinal, 2 mM ammonia, and 1.0 μM serotonin were ineffective. Treatment with at-RA for 30 min was sufficient for oocyte maturation and was more potent than its isomers, 9-cis- and 13-cis-RA. Parallel results were obtained for sperm motility activation. Oocyte responsiveness to at-RA increased during the final stage of ovary development. Artificial fertilization was successful only with the oocytes treated with at-RA, and fertilized eggs developed to D-shaped (veliger) larvae without apparent morphological abnormalities. These results indicate the possible application of RA for the artificial fertilization of pen shells.     

Effect of water temperature and light intensity on swim bladder inflation and growth of red sea bream <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pagrus major</Emphasis> larvae

This study aimed to examine the effect of different water temperatures and light intensities on swim bladder inflation (SBI) and growth of red sea bream Pagrus major larvae to improve rearing techniques for this species. Two sets of experiments were conducted: different rearing temperatures were used in experiment 1 (19, 21, 23, and 25 °C), and different light intensities in experiment 2 (250, 1000, 4000, and 16,000 lx). Water temperature did not affect SBI frequency, but SBI initiation was accelerated at higher temperature, i.e., it was initiated on 3 days post-hatching (dph) at 25 °C and on 6 dph at 19 °C, suggesting that the promotion period for SBI, which needs a surface skimmer to be  run, also accelerated with increasing temperature in red sea bream larviculture. A higher temperature also significantly promoted larval growth, although the notochord of larvae at SBI initiation was shorter at higher temperatures. Light intensity had no effect on either the initiation or the frequency of SBI. However, light intensity of 250 lx significantly reduced early larval growth compared to light intensities higher than 1000 lx. These results indicate that light at an intensity greater than 1000 lx at the water surface is suitable for the early larviculture of red sea bream.     

Effect of different microbubble generation methods on growth of Japanese mustard spinach

To provide the necessary oxygen for plant growth, the effectiveness of different generating methods of microbubbles (MB), a gas-water circulation type or a pressurization type (pressurization treatment), was investigated by comparing the growth characteristics and morphological observation of Brassica campestris L. var. Komatsuna Matsum. The plant growth in the pressurization treatment were significantly less than those in the circulation treatment at 3 weeks after planting. In plants grown in the pressurization treatment, epidermal cell abrasion and plasmolysis, indicators of cell death, were observed in root tip cells at 3 weeks after planting. The growth inhibition of plant in the pressurization treatment is suggested to be related to the oxidization of Fe in the nutrient solution under super-saturated dissolved oxygen conditions, the generation of hydroxyl radicals from MB, the oxidization of the root tip cell membrane, and osmotic stress to the roots.     

Feasibility of near-infrared spectroscopy for online multiple trait assessment of sawn lumber

Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis was applied to estimate multiple traits of sawn lumber. The effects of the lumber conveying speed (LCS) and measurement resolution of spectra (MRS) on the calibrations were examined. NIR spectra ranging from 1300 to 2300 nm were acquired at LCSs of 10, 20, and 30 m/min and at MRSs of 2, 4, and 16 nm. Prediction models of bending strength (F _b), modulus of elasticity in bending tests (E _b), dynamic modulus of elasticity (E _fr), and wood density (DEN) were developed using partial least-squares (PLS) analysis. LCS and MRS did not significantly influence the calibration performance for any wood property. The regression coefficients also showed no clear differences for any of the conditions. This indicates that the important explanatory variables included in the models are not greatly influenced by these measurement conditions. PLS2 analysis results, when presented graphically, allowed easy interpretation of the relationships between wood mechanical properties and chemical components, e.g., bending strength and stiffness were mainly related to polysaccharides cellulose and hemicellulose. NIR spectroscopy has considerable potential for online grading of sawn lumber, despite the harsh measurement conditions.     

Disentangling density‐dependent effects on egg production and survival from egg to recruitment in fish

Understanding of density‐dependent effects is key to achieving sustainable management of self‐regulating biological resources such as fish stocks. Traditionally, density‐dependent effects on population abundance in fish have been considered to occur from hatching to recruitment, based on the paradigm of proportionality between spawning stock biomass and total egg production. Here, we demonstrate how the existence of intraspecific and interspecific density dependence in egg production changes the current understanding of density‐dependent processes in the life history of fish, by disentangling density‐dependent effects on egg production and survival from egg to recruitment, using sardine (Sardinops melanostictus, Clupeidae) and anchovy (Engraulis japonicus, Engraulidae) as model species. For sardine, strong intraspecific density‐dependent effects occurred in egg production, but no density‐dependent effects occurred or if any they were weak enough to be masked by environmental factors from hatching to recruitment. In contrast, for anchovy, interspecific density‐dependent effects occurred in egg production. In the survival after hatching, anchovy experienced stronger intraspecific density‐dependent effects than currently recognized. This analysis could overturn the current understanding of density‐dependent effects in the life history, highlighting contrasts between the effects on individual quality and population abundance and between the model species. We propose to reconsider the basis of fisheries management and recruitment studies based on the revised understanding of density‐dependent effects in the life history of the respective species.     

Rice bran fractions improve blood pressure, lipid profile, and glucose metabolism in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Effect of dietary supplementation of two types of rice bran fraction on blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, and glucose metabolism in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats was studied. Male 4-week-old rats were divided into one group fed the AIN-93M-based control (C) diet and two groups fed diet supplemented with 60 g/kg of Driselase and ethanol fractions (DF and EF, respectively) of rice bran. After 8 weeks feeding, the BP decreased in the DF and EF groups in comparison with the C group (p < 0.01). Plasma ACE inhibitory activity, BUN, BUN/creatinine ratio, albumin, triglyceride, and glucose levels were lower in the DF and EF groups than in the C group (p < 0.01). Plasma nitric oxide and urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels were lower in the DF and EF groups than in the C group (p < 0.01). Rice bran fractions appear to have a beneficial dietary component that improves hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia.     

Inhibitory profile of nonapeptide derived from porcine troponin C against angiotensin I-converting enzyme

A novel angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide (RMLGQTPTK; 9mer) from porcine skeletal troponin C was investigated for its inhibitory profile. This peptide was noncompetitive and as hydrophobic as the known ACE inhibitory peptides. Aminopeptidase M quickly hydrolyzed 9mer, resulting in production of MLGQTPTK and LGQTPTK with inhibitory activities similar to those of 9mer. The main hydrolysis product of 9mer with carboxypeptidase A and B was RMLGQTPT showing very weak activity. Most products derived from 9mer hydrolysis by ACE, aminopeptidase, or carboxypeptidase showed weak but definite ACE inhibitory activities. Thus, 9mer was estimated to be a wholly efficient inhibitor with these fragment peptides.     

Conversion of Unc104/KIF1A kinesin into a processive motor after dimerization

Unc104/KIF1A belongs to a class of monomeric kinesin motors that have been thought to possess an unusual motility mechanism. Unlike the unidirectional motion driven by the coordinated actions of the two heads in conventional kinesins, single-headed KIF1A was reported to undergo biased diffusional motion along microtubules. Here, we show that Unc104/KIF1A can dimerize and move unidirectionally and processively with rapid velocities characteristic of transport in living cells. These results suggest that Unc104/KIF1A operates in vivo by a mechanism similar to conventional kinesin and that regulation of motor dimerization may be used to control transport by this class of kinesins.