Adenosine monophosphate degradation and inosinic acid accumulation in the shrimp Penaeus japonicus

International Aquatic Research - Shrimp muscle contains taste component compounds, such as glutamic acid and inosinic acid (IMP). When both are present, taste intensity increases by fourfold to...     

Importance of shingle beaches as habitat for Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum

Fisheries Science - We carried out surveys to clarify how the density (no. of individuals/m2) and condition factor (CF) of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum differ between estuarine tidal flats...     

Annual monitoring of growth of red sea bream by multi-stereo-image measurement

Fisheries Science - In aquaculture, periodic measurement of fish body size is required to suitably assess growth progress. The aim of this study is to monitor the growth of free-swimming red sea...     

Silicic acid: boric acid complexes as wood preservatives

Wood was treated with a low molecular-weight silicic acid: boric acid agent and examined for increased resistance to termites and combustion. Wood treated with silicic acid only exhibited increased termite resistance, but not to the marked extent observed after treatment with a mixture of silicic and boric acids. Increasing the quantity of boric acid also increased the termite mortality rate and shortened the time to death. Oral-toxicity tests using dyed silicic acid: boric acid suggested that the boric acid in the agent acted as a stomach poison. Field tests on stakes over three years showed that even if stakes were placed near the termite exit, those treated with silicic acid and high levels of boric acid had no attack by termites and maintained their original form. Though these specimens were installed in the field during three rainy seasons (about six months in total) in three years, the termite resistance ability of these chemicals was maintained. It became clear that this silicic acid: boric acid agent has a high water resistance ability worthy of application in the outdoors. Combustion tests showed that flame and glowing combustion times were shortened at high levels of boric acid. When a boric acid: methanol solution was added at of rate of not less than 25 ml for 100 g of colloidal silicic acid solution (CSAS), flaming and glowing combustion were not observed. Although the charring length of the wood specimen which was treated with a low molecular weight silicic acid: boric acid agent decreased to 2/3 of that of the control wood, the charring lengths were not influenced by the level of boric acid. However, the volume of smoke decreased relative to the amount of boric acid that had been added.     

Compression wood induced by 1-N-Naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), an IAA transport inhibitor

Summary NPA, applied in a 2–3 cm band around the middle protion of 2- or 3-year-old internodes of three vertically-oriented six-year-old Sugi trees (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don), brought about abnormal thickening all over the upper segment from the NPA treatment. Xylem tissues above and below the treatment, as well as at the treated area itself, was examined by ordinary light microscopy and by scanning electron microscopy. The results obtained seemed to indicate that the tissue formed after treatment in the upper segment of the stem was true compression wood. In the lower segment of the stem, no abnormal tissue but a small amount of latewood-like tissue was produced after treatment.Referring to the previous studies in which morphactin, another IAA transport inhibitor, has induced compression wood, we consider it likely that compression wood formation must be induced by high concentrations of endogenous IAA, which could be brought about by blockage created not only by NPA and morphactins, but also by IAA transport inhibitors in general.