Long‐term changes in recruitment of age‐0 Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) and environmental conditions around Japan

Recruitment of age‐0 Pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) from 1952 to 2014 was examined by a sequential regime shift detection method. The regime shifts in recruitment were detected in 1957, 1972, 1980, 1994 and 2009. The durations of regime shift ranged from 8–15 years and averaged 13.0 years. In both the total (1952–2014) and data rich (1980–2014) periods, negative relationships were found between recruitment and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in autumn, and positive relationships were found between recruitment and sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the northern part of the East China Sea, in the southwestern part of the Sea of Japan, and in the waters off Shikoku and Tokai in summer and autumn. The 1994 and 2009 regime shifts in recruitment occurred in the same years as shifts in SST anomalies in the northern part of the East China Sea in summer. These results suggest that the ocean conditions in the northern part of the East China Sea are closely related to recruitment of Pacific bluefin tuna, and that the warmer conditions result in higher recruitment of the species.     

Real-time observation and prediction of physical processes in a typhoon-affected lake

A nowcasting system integrating observations and a numerical model was developed to better understand the spatial distributions and temporal variations in the dynamics of a small, subtropical lake occasionally influenced by severe rainstorms. The nowcasting system was used to monitor real-time meteorological conditions and thermal structures, to provide spatial information on the thermal and flow dynamics from model predictions, and to compare the predictions with the observations. The system was also able to determine whether the instruments collecting field data were performing correctly using telemetry operations. The nowcasting system was initially operated in the spring of 2009 in Yuan-Yang Lake, Taiwan. Rainstorm-induced mixing occurred due to Typhoon Morakot during August 7–9, 2009. The mixing was observed by the instruments, and the spatial distributions and temporal variations during the mixing were successfully predicted by the three-dimensional hydrodynamic lake model. A quantitative comparison of the energy balances among the heat, wind, and water inflow inputs to the lake implied that the typhoon-induced mixing was primarily caused by strong winds. The model predictions showed that the lake experienced mixing and flooding (large amounts of inflow/outflow discharges), resulting in homogenous temperatures and flows that moved to the outlet of the lake.     

Localization of eNOS in the olfactory epithelium of the rat

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical and produced from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Since NO is recently suggested to be involved in olfactory perception, the expression of eNOS, an isoform of NOS, was examined in the rat olfactory epithelium. The activity of NADPH-diaphorase was also examined as a marker of NOS. In the dorsomedial region of the nasal cavity, intensely positive reactions for NADPH-diaphorase were observed in the entire cytoplasm of sensory cells (olfactory cells). By immunohistochemistry, intensely positive reactions for eNOS were also found in the dorsomedial region of the nasal cavity. These reactions were observed on the free border of the olfactory epithelium. By immunoelectron microscopy, positive reactions for eNOS were found in the cilia of olfactory cells. In addition, in situ hybridization analysis of the olfactory epithelium revealed the expression of eNOS mRNA in the olfactory cells. These results indicate the presence of eNOS in the olfactory cells of the rat, and differential expression of eNOS in the olfactory epithelium depending on the regions of the nasal cavity. In addition, NO produced by eNOS may be involved in olfactory perception in the cilia of olfactory cells.     

Ten-year evapotranspiration estimates in a Bornean tropical rainforest

This study was undertaken to quantify interannual variations of total evaporation (ET) in a tropical rainforest in Sarawak, Malaysia. To this end, we conducted 10-year meteorological measurements and formulated a simplified big-leaf model that reproduces transpiration (Et), rainfall interception (Ei), and ET as the sum of these. The model was validated independently using eddy covariance fluxes, rainfall interception based on throughfall and stemflow measurements, and sap flow measurements conducted for more than 2 years. Using the model, Et, Ei, and ET were estimated for the period 2000-2009. Annual Et, Ei, and ET averaged over 10 years were estimated as 1114, 209, and 1323 mm, respectively, with small seasonal fluctuations. The derived estimates showed conservative year-to-year variations in annual Et, Ei, and ET (CV = 5-7%) in contrast to considerable year-to-year variations in annual rainfall (CV = 11%). Specific rainfall characteristics (e.g. intense short duration storms) at this site can explain the conservative year-to-year Ei variations. Small interannual variations in meteorological conditions and absence of severe drought during the study period can explain the small year-to-year Et variations. To characterize ET at our site, we also compared Ei and ET at our site with those of other tropical forests. Based on the derived ET characteristics, we discuss possible ET changes in response to changes in rainfall regime at this site.     

中日传统家具的用材文化比较

中日传统家具由于受不同的社会因素的影响,形成了各自不同的选材原则。在传统家具的用材方面,中国传统家具表现出一种独具特色的"硬木"文化情结,而日本传统家具则表现出一种"轻材质重工艺"的审美意趣。日本传统家具在选材与用材方面的审美意识应成为中国对日出口家具企业进行原材料选择、成本分析与产品设计定位的依据。     

Cytotoxic constituents in the holdfast of cultivated Laminaria japonica

ABSTRACT:     Four steroidal ketones were isolated from the holdfast of cultivated Laminaria japonica . The structures were characterized as ergosta-4,24(28)-diene-3-one (1), ergosta-4,24(28)-diene-3,6-dione (2), stigmasta-4,24(28)-diene-3-one (3) and stigmasta-4,24(28)-diene-3,6-dione (4), by spectral data. Compounds 2 and 4 were shown to be cytotoxic against the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell, and the growth of MCF-7 was inhibited by 96% and 79%, respectively, at 10 µg/mL. It is the first report on the isolation of cytotoxic steroidal ketones from the kelp in the genus of Laminaria.     

Immunohistochemical analysis for G protein in the olfactory organs of soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis

In turtles, the epithelia lining the upper and lower chambers of the nasal cavity project axons to the ventral and dorsal parts of the olfactory bulbs, respectively. In a semi-aquatic soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, more than 1,000 odorant receptor genes have been found, but it is not known where they are expressed. In this study, we aimed to clarify the distribution of cells expressing these genes in the olfactory organs of soft-shelled turtles. Immunoreactions for the Gαolf, the α subunit of G protein coupled to the odorant receptors, were detected on the surface of epithelia lining both the upper and lower chambers of the nasal cavity. The receptor cells in the epithelium of both chambers possessed cilia on the tip of their dendrites, whereas microvillous, non-ciliated, receptor cells were not found. These data suggest that the odorant receptor genes are expressed by the ciliated receptor cells in the upper and lower chamber epithelia. Precise location of the vomeronasal epithelium is not known at present.     

Idling noise from circular saws made of metals with different damping capacities

Circular saw construction using materials with high internal damping has been found to be an effective way to suppress whistling noise during saw idling. A high-damping alloy called Silentalloy (12Cr-3Al-Fe) was previously shown to be an effective material for this purpose. Tests with Silentalloy suggested that a logarithmic decrement of at least 0.07 is needed. Silentalloy does have some disadvantages, such as modest strength, difficult heat treatability, and special order status. The purpose of these experiments was to confirm the general applicability of the minimum effective logarithmic decrement of 0.07 and to find more practical metals for saw-blade construction. Three commercially available metals of different damping capacity were selected. The idling noises of saws made of these metals were compared with those of saws made of typical saw steel and Silentalloy. The minimum logarithmic decrement for whistling-noise suppression was found to be approximately 0.01. On a logarithmic scale, this value is similar to the 0.07 value previously found for a Silentalloy saw. A ferromagnetic steel (20Cr-3A1-Fe) was found to be a useful alternative to Silentalloy from the viewpoint of strength, but the cost of this steel makes it unsuitable for mass production. The success in identifying an effective alternative material to Silentalloy provides encouragement for the identification of other high-damping alloys among the 13Cr-Fe to 18Cr-Fe series without the cost disadvantage of ferromagnetic steel.     

Effects of feeding calves genetically modified corn bt11: a clinico-biochemical study

Genetically modified corn Bt11 is insect-resistant and expresses Cry1Ab toxin, an insecticidal protein, in kernels. Although Bt11 corn is considered safe based on animal performance, there are no reports available on the clinico-biochemical effects of feeding it to cattle. In this study, we evaluated the effects of feeding Bt11 to calves, using blood and ruminal clinico-biochemical parameters. Our three-month-long feeding experiment demonstrated that calves (n=6), fed with a ration containing 43.3% of Bt11 corn kernels as dry matter, did not develop any discernible clinical, hematological, biochemical, or ruminal abnormalities as compared with control calves (n=6) fed non-Bt11 corn. The results suggest that the transgenic Bt11 has no negative clinico-biochemical effects on calves.