Safety of the tram car for slopes examined by stress analysis of the ground structure

For monorail systems, it is very important to ensure the safety of the ground structure. We developed a tram car for slopes that utilizes the mechanism of the monorail and analyzed the stress of the ground structure that had double rails. First, we divided the ground structure into seven components, and formulated a procedure for calculating the stress of the ground structure. As a result, the stress that acts upon the main rail and the main rail connecting part was near the allowable stress, and each calculated value was within the allowable stress. We measured the stress by running the vehicle, and compared the measured values with the calculated values. As a result, some measured values were larger than the calculated values. However, the ratio of measured value to allowable stress was 90% or less. Finally, we calculated the static loading coefficient for each part, results of which were as follows: main and subrail: 1.1; rail connection part and prop foundation part: 1.0; rail installation part: 1.3. In the recalculations, it became clear that the recalculated values exceeded the allowable stresses. These results suggest that we need to review the ground structure materials.     

Leak detection by monitoring pressure to preserve integrity of agricultural pipe

Paddy and Water Environment - Leakage of agricultural pipes has been increasingly frequent problems due to corrosion, loosening of joints, and cracks, which result in the subsidence of peripheral...     

Transgenic inhibition of synaptic transmission reveals role of CA3 output in hippocampal learning

The hippocampus is an area of the brain involved in learning and memory. It contains parallel excitatory pathways referred to as the trisynaptic pathway (which carries information as follows: entorhinal cortex --> dentate gyrus --> CA3 --> CA1 --> entorhinal cortex) and the monosynaptic pathway (entorhinal cortex --> CA1 --> entorhinal cortex). We developed a generally applicable tetanus toxin-based method for transgenic mice that permits inducible and reversible inhibition of synaptic transmission and applied it to the trisynaptic pathway while preserving transmission in the monosynaptic pathway. We found that synaptic output from CA3 in the trisynaptic pathway is dispensable and the short monosynaptic pathway is sufficient for incremental spatial learning. In contrast, the full trisynaptic pathway containing CA3 is required for rapid one-trial contextual learning, for pattern completion-based memory recall, and for spatial tuning of CA1 cells.     

Profiling of phenylpropanoid monomers in developing xylem tissue of transgenic aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Here we describe alterations in the cinnamate/monolignol pathway in three transgenic aspen lines: one with downregulated expression of 4-coumarate:CoA ligase (4CL), one with upregulated expression of coniferaldehyde 5-hydroxylase (CAld5H), and a 4CL downregulated/CAld5H upregulated line. Compared with the wild type, the 4CL downregulated line showed significantly increased levels of p-hydroxycinnamic acids such as p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids. In contrast, the CAld5H upregulated line had increased content of p-coumaryl and 5-hydroxyconiferyl alcohols. In the 4CL downregulated line, it was likely that most hydroxycinnamic acids were glycosylated. These results strongly suggest that the downregulation of 4CL and upregulation of CAld5H disrupt the metabolic flow through the cinnamate/monolignol pathway and thus alter the amount and structure of its final product, lignin.     

Quantitative loop-mediated isothermal amplification method for the detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vibrio nigripulchritudo</Emphasis> in shrimp

Vibrio nigripulchritudo is considered one of the major pathogens threatening shrimp aquaculture. In this study, we developed a novel and highly specific quantitative loop-mediated isothermal amplification (Q-LAMP) assay. A set of four specific primers were designed targeting the V. nigripulchritudo intergenic spacer region. The reaction time and temperature were optimized for 60 min at 63°C. Quantitative analysis was then performed by measuring the turbidity of the reaction solution using a real-time turbidimeter, allowing for quantification of the initial DNA concentration with a sensitivity of 10² copy numbers equivalent to 2.3 colony forming units/ml or 0.3 fg/μl. The LAMP assay was able to specifically detect two representative strains of V. nigripulchritudo, whereas other Vibrio and non-Vibrio species were not amplified. A standard curve was generated for V. nigripulchritudo by plotting the threshold time (T _t) versus the log of bacterial number. A high correlation coefficient (R ² = 0.9749) was observed for the Q-LAMP reaction. In conclusion, Q-LAMP assay is a sensitive, rapid, and simple tool that can be used for the detection and quantification of V. nigripulchritudo in shrimp, thereby facilitating surveillance of vibriosis infection.     

Development of X-ray computed tomography for live standing cattle

An X‐ray computed tomography (CT) system for live standing cattle was developed for studying the meat yield, carcass composition and so on. The gantry contained three X‐ray tubes and detectors that corresponded to each X‐ray tube. The system was able to operate while the animal remained standing. The scan area had a diameter of 900 mm. The Musculus longissimus and Musculus trapezius areas, and the back fat thickness in the CT image were evaluated and compared to the actual cross‐section of the carcass using eight cattle. The differences among the muscles, and the subcutaneous and intermuscular fat were easily recognized. The correlation coefficient between the CT image and the actual carcass photograph of the M. longissimus area and the back fat thickness was high (r = 0.84, r = 0.93, P < 0.01). The present study demonstrated that muscle, fat and bone can be clearly imaged from a live standing animal using X‐ray equipment.     

Physiological Races and Vegetative Compatibility Groups of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae Isolated from Crisphead Lettuce in Japan

One hundred and sixteen isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae obtained from 85 fields in three crisphead lettuce-producing areas in Nagano Prefecture, Japan were typed for races using differential cultivars Patriot, Banchu Red Fire and Costa Rica No. 4. They were also grouped into vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) using complementation tests with nitrate non-utilizing (nit) mutants. Two California strains reported as F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucum, a type culture of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, and 28 avirulent isolates of F. oxysporum obtained from crisphead lettuce were included for comparison. Among Nagano isolates, 66 isolates were identified as race 1, and 50 as race 2. Race 1 strains derived from Shiojiri and Komoro cities and race 2 from Kawakami village and Komoro city. All isolates of race 2 were biotin auxotrophs, and the race could be distinguished based on its requirement for biotin on minimal nitrate agar medium (MM). Pathogenic isolates were classified into two VCGs and three heterokaryon self-incompatible isolates. Strong correlations were found between race and VCG. All the race 1 strains were assigned to VCG 1 except self-incompatible isolates, and all the race 2 strains to VCG 2. The 28 avirulent isolates of F. oxysporum were incompatible with VCG 1 and VCG 2. California strains was vegetatively compatible with VCG 1, and they were assigned to race 1. Based on vegetative compatibility, these two races of F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae may be genetically distinct, and F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucae race 1 is identical to F. oxysporum f. sp. lactucum. Received 7 May 2002/ Accepted in revised form 6 September 2002     

Colitis associated with Clostridium difficile in specific-pathogen-free C3H-scid mice

Soft feces and a decreased delivery rate were observed in a specific-pathogen-free (SPF) C3H-scid mouse breeding colony. Grossly, the ceca were shrunken and edematous in the affected mice. Histopathologically, severe edema in the cecal submucosa as well as infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lamina propria and submucosa of the ceca and colon were observed. No pathogenic microorganisms were detected by the routine microbiological tests. By anaerobic bacterial-examination, Clostridium (C.) difficile with toxin A was isolated from the cecal contents of the affected mice. The mice were diagnosed with C. difficile-associated colitis. This case appears to be the first report of natural infection with C. difficile in SPF mice with clinical signs.     

Isolation and enzymatic formation of lignans ofDaphne genkwa andDaphne odora

Four lignans — pinoresinol, lariciresinol, secoisolariciresinol, matairesinol — were isolated from each ofDaphne odora andDaphne genkwa (Thymelaeaceae). Matairesinol isolated from both plants was optically pure (>99% e.e.) and dextrorotatory. Pinoresinol and lariciresinol isolated from the plants were not optically pure, and their enantiomeric compositions ranged from 88% to 95% e.e. in favor of (–)-enantiomers. As for secoisolariciresinol, the one fromD. odora was optically pure [(+)-enantiomer, >99% e.e.], and that fromD. genkwa was 97% e.e. in favor of the (+)-enantiomer. Lignan-synthesizing enzyme activity was detected from a Thymelaeaceae plant for the first time; cell-free extracts fromD. genkwa catalyzed the formation of (–)-lariciresinol (23% e.e.) from racemic (±)-pinoresinols. The stereochemistry of the enzymatic reaction is discussed in relation to the stereochemical features of the isolated lignans.Parts of this report were presented at the 42nd Lignin Symposium, Sapporo, October 1997; 48th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Shizuoka, April 1998; and 49th Annual Meeting of the Japan Wood Research Society, Tokyo, April 1999     

The influence and impact of tsunamis on the microorganism assembly of Nagatsura-Ura Lagoon,Miyagi, northeastern Japan

Fisheries Science - Two sediment cores were collected from two sites in Nagatsura-Ura Lagoon, the mouth of which was destroyed in the 2011 Tohoku-oki tsunami. Although sediment conditions differed...