Comparison of useful terrestrial and aquatic plant species for removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from domestic wastewater

To develop a low cost and energy-saving wastewater treatment technique in combination with resource recycling and amenity functions, we constructed a plant bed filter ditch in which useful terrestrial and aquatic plants can be utilized for nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater. Screening studies were conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of 20 kinds of plant species which are economically important or exhibit on aesthetic value, including 13 terrestrial species, for domestic wastewater treatment. Artificial wastewater containing 20 mg L^-1 of Nand 3.3 mg L^-1 of P, was supplied to the ditch at the rate of about 1.41–2.08 g m^-2 d^-1 for N and 0.20–0.33 g m^-2 d^-1 for P. The experiments were performed in a glass house with windows opened from April to November. The ditches showing high Nand P removal rates were planted with plants which exhibited high biomass production rates. In the case of the papyrus ditch, Nand P removal rates exceeded 0.8 g m^-2 d^-1 for N and 0.15 g m^-2 d^-1 for P from late spring to autumn, in the case of the kenaf ditch and sorghum ditch, from summer to autumn and in the case of the Italian ryegrass ditch and barley ditch, in early spring. These findings indicated that efficient wastewater treatment can be performed consistently except in the winter season, by cultivating these plants in an appropriate combination in the ditches.     

Annual changes in testicular size and serum and fecal testosterone concentrations in male bharals, Pseudois nayaur

The serum and fecal testosterone (T) concentrations and testicular sizes of two male bharals (Pseudois nayaur) were determined for approximately one year. The profiles of the fecal T concentrations showed a similar tendency as the profiles of serum T concentrations, and there was a significant correlation between serum and fecal T concentrations (r=0.72). T concentrations rose drastically in October and decreased gradually until January. The maximum testicular size was observed between November and January. Semen collected between December and January was excellent in quality and comparable to domestic sheep and goats. The active periods of the testes were synchronized with the early breeding season of females.     

Elucidation of Fermentation Effect on Rice Noodles Using Combined Dynamic Viscoelasticity and Thermal Analyses

Natural fermentation of whole polished rice grains (indica) is a traditional processing method widely applied in China and South Asia to improve the texture of rice noodles. To elucidate the effects of fermentation on noodle texture, thermal analysis of rice flour and rheological measurement were performed on a gel made from the rice flour with the same solids concentration as practical noodles. The test method proved useful for monitoring starch granule swelling, gel forming, and retrogradation of rice gels during rice noodle production. Dynamic viscoelasticity in a temperature ramp sweep test showed that starch granules of the fermented sample swelled more and were more resistant to breakdown than those of the nonfermented sample. Differential scanning calorimetry revealed that the gelatinization temperature of fermented rice flour shifted to a lower temperature. The decreased protein content after fermentation also played a role in the modified rheological and thermal properties of fermented rice flour. Both fermented and nonfermented rice flour formed an elastic gel just after heating to the conclusion temperature of gelatinization (T_c). The fermented rice flour gel formed earlier with a well‐formed structure; however, it had slower retrogradation during aging. The result also indicated that the retrogradation of amylopectin impaired the desired texture of rice noodles.     

Genomic Structure of a Geminivirus in the Genus Begomovirus from Yellow Vein-affected Eupatorium makinor

A virus from yellow vein-affected Eupatorium makinoi was tentatively designated as Eupatorium-infecting geminivirus (EuGV) on the basis of whitefly transmissibility, electron microscopic observation of geminate particles in sap and symptomatology. EuGV-speciflc DNA fragments were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Based on the restriction analysis of the PCR products, EuGV was suggested to have a monopartite genome. We determined the putative, complete nucleotide sequence of the EuGV genome which is comprised of 2766 nucleotides. The EuGV sequence had two virus sense open reading frames (ORF)(V1, V2), four complementary sense ORFs (C1–C4) and a non-coding region termed the intergenic region. This genome structure is quite similar to other monopartite begomoviruses already reported. The nucleotide and amino acid sequences were compared with other begomoviruses. The results supported the conclusion that EuGV is distinct and divergent from other begomoviruses, whereas potential sequence motifs reported in other geminiviruses are well conserved. Received 17 March 1999/ Accepted in revised form 12 November 1999     

Semipersistency of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus persicae</Emphasis> Transmission of Cucumoviruses Systemically Infecting Leguminous Plants

Sequential transmission tests of Peanut stunt virus (PSV) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) systemically infecting common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, were conducted using Myzus persicae allowed to fast for 2 hr and then to acquisition feed on infected common bean plants or purified virus for 10 min. In the sequential transmission tests using either one or 10 aphids per assay plant, three isolates of PSV (J,S,Y5) and one of CMV (V) were transmitted from and to common bean up to a third or fourth inoculation access. Many aphids transmitted these viruses to two or three plants. Purified viruses of PSV-S and CMV-V were also transmitted up to a third or second inoculation access at low percentage. On tobacco, Nicotiana tabacum, aphids transmitted PSV-S and CMV-V only in the first inoculation access, although PSV-S was transmitted to only one plant in the fourth and fifth inoculation access. These viruses may be transmitted in two phases by aphids, depending on the plant species. Received 16 April 1999/ Accepted in revised form 1 September 1999     

Abnormal morphology in megalopae of the swimming crab,Portunus trituberculatus during seed production: causes and prevention

The occurrence of morphologically immature megalopae, which retain zoeal features such as dorsal spines and furcae of telson, is closely correlated with larval mass mortality during seed production of the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus in Japanese hatcheries. To determine the cause of immature megalopal morphology, zoeae were reared with various supplementary schedules and density of diets (rotifer, Artemia and phytoplanktons including Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis oculata). In addition, to assess the relationship between immature morphology and endocrine control, the effect of causative dietary factor was compared with the effect of eyestalk ablation at various timing during zoeal development. Megalopal immature morphology was more distinct in Chlorella‐supplemented groups than in Nannochloropsis‐supplemented groups. High density Chlorella supplementation was associated with the highest incidence of immaturity and resulted in larval mass mortality. The premoult of the third zoeal stage was identified as a critical period at which Chlorella supplementation led to the highest incidence of immaturity. This critical period coincided with the critical period at which larval metamorphosis was regulated by the eyestalk neurosecretory system. Our results suggested that the occurrence of immature megalopal morphology under culture conditions is most likely caused by phytoplankton (especially, Chlorella) supplementation, which disrupts the endocrine regulation. On the basis of our results, we successfully prevented the occurrence of immature megalopal morphology in 500 L tanks by excluding the influence of phytoplankton before the critical period (i.e. discontinuing phytoplankton supplementation and supplying rotifer cultured with non‐phytoplankton materials).     

Fertility of bitches in which estrus was prevented with implantations of chlormadinone acetate for four years

The recurrence of estrus and fertility after removal of a subcutaneous chlormadinone acetate implant (CMA-I) administered to prevent estrus for 4 years, was investigated in 8 female dogs and the results compared with those for 4 untreated female dogs (control group). The sex hormones present during the estrous cycle were also investigated. There were no significant differences in the estrous cycle after removal of the implant between the CMA-I-treated group and the control group. However, although conception was achieved after mating and no uterine diseases developed in the control group, only 5 (4 dogs, 41.7%) of the 12 cases (6 dogs) in which mating took place at the second to fourth estrus after the removal of CMA-I resulted in pregnancy in the CMA-I-treated group. Furthermore, 6 (75.0%) of the 8 dogs in the CMA-I-treated group developed uterine diseases including pyometra or hydrometra. There were no significant differences in plasma progesterone, LH and prolactin levels between the non-pregnant and pregnant dogs in the CMA-I-treated group or control group. These results suggest that long-term implantation of CMA-I affects fertility after the implant is removed.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cucumber mosaic virus</Emphasis> isolated from Amazon lily (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucharis grandiflora</Emphasis>)

Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) was isolated from a mosaic diseased plant of Eucharis grandiflora. The virus caused mosaic symptoms on leaves and slight distortion of flower petals in E. grandiflora by either mechanical or aphid inoculation. The virus was identified as a strain of CMV subgroup I from its biological and serological characteristics.