Dynamic responsive characteristics of nailed plywood–timber joints under harmonic vibrations

Dynamic tests of nailed plywood–timber joints are conducted under harmonic vibrations from 2 to 7 Hz. The principal results are as follows: under dynamic loading, nailed plywood–timber joints may break in low-cyclic bending fatigue failure of nails besides the other failure modes typical under static loading. The dynamic response of nailed plywood–timber joints is clearly dependent upon both the input frequency and the acceleration. These responsive characteristics arise from the nonlinear load–slip relationships and the characteristic cyclic stiffness degradation of nailed joints; that is, the cyclic degradation of the equivalent linear stiffness decreases the resonant frequencies of the same joints, which results in a transition of dynamic responses. It indicates that frequency components of seismic waves resonant to the frequencies corresponding to safety-limit stiffness of nailed joints may lead them to critical failures, even if the accelerations do not exceed the accelerations equivalent to the static damage-limit resistance.     

Root plasticity under fluctuating soil moisture stress exhibited by backcross inbred line of a rice variety,Nipponbare carrying introgressed segments from KDML105 and detection of the associated QTLs

In rainfed lowland rice ecosystem, rice plants are often exposed to alternating recurrences of waterlogging and drought due to erratic rainfall. Such soil moisture fluctuation (SMF) which is completely different from simple or progressive drought could be stressful for plant growth, thereby causing reduction in yield. Root plasticity is one of the key traits that play important roles for plant adaptation under such conditions. This study aimed to evaluate root plasticity expression and its functional roles in dry matter production and yield under SMF using Nipponbare, KDML 105 and three backcross inbred lines (BILs) and to identify QTL(s) associated with root traits in response to SMF at two growth stages using Nipponbare/KDML105 F₂ plants. A BIL, G3-3 showed higher shoot dry matter production and yield than Nipponbare due to its greater ability to maintain stomatal conductance concomitant with greater root system development caused by promoted production of nodal and lateral roots under SMF. QTLs were identified for total nodal root length, total lateral root length, total root length, number of nodal roots, and branching index under SMF at vegetative and reproductive stages. The QTLs detected at vegetative and reproductive stages were different. We discuss here that relationship between root system of G3-3 and the detected QTLs. Therefore, G3-3 and the identified QTLs could be useful genetic materials in breeding program for improving the adaptation of rice plants in target rainfed lowland areas.     

Development of a SYBR green real-time polymerase chain reaction assay for quantitative detection of Babesia gibsoni (Asian genotype) DNA.

A real-time fluorogenic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay based on SYBR green that allows for sensitive, reproducible, and accurate quantification of Babesia gibsoni (Asian genotype). DNA from peripheral blood of infected dogs was developed. Standard curves were created by plotting the input amount of a standard template, constructed with plasmid DNA containing 182 base pairs (bp) of the p18 gene, against threshold cycle numbers. The curves showed a wide dynamic range (1,000,000-fold input) and high correlation values (>0.99). The PCR amplification efficacy of the standard template was similar to that of intact genomic DNA obtained from peripheral blood with B. gibsoni infection. The detection limit of the assay was 9 parasites/microl of blood with B. gibsoni infection. The intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation of the threshold cycles ranged from 0.70% to 1.89% and from 1.18% to 1.92%, respectively. This assay system was found to be reproducible and accurate for the quantification of parasite DNA in experimentally infected dogs and far more sensitive than traditional microscopic examination.     

Metagenomic profiles of the rumen microbiota during the transition period in low‐yield and high‐yield dairy cows

We investigated potential relationships between rumen microbiota and milk production in dairy cows during the transition period. Twelve dairy cows were divided into a low‐yield (LY) or high‐yield (HY) group based on their milk yield. Rumen samples were taken from dairy cows at 3 weeks before parturition, and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after parturition. 16S rDNA‐based metagenomic analysis showed that diversities of rumen microbiota in both groups were similar and the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was lower in the postpartum than prepartum period in both groups. The abundance of Bacteroidetes and ratio of Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes was higher in the HY than the LY group. OTUs assigned to Prevotella bryantii, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, and Succinivibrio sp. were abundant in the HY group. These OTUs were significantly related to the propionate molar proportion of rumen fluids in the HY group. OTUs assigned to Lachnospiraceae, Bifidobacterium sp. and Saccharofermentans were dominant in the LY group. Predictive functional profiling revealed that abundance of gene families involved in amino acid and vitamin metabolism was higher in the HY than the LY group. These results suggest that the community structure and fermentation products of rumen microbiota could be associated with milk production of dairy cows.     

Characterization of a new cultural type (LP) of Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2 isolated from warm-season turfgrasses, and its genetic differentiation from other cultural types

Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani AG2-2 obtained from turf with symptoms of large-patch disease of warm-season turfgrasses were compared with known AG2-2 isolates belonging to cultural types IIIB and IV. Some isolates that were previously identified as type IV have been separated here and named LP isolates. Comparisons among isolates were based on cultural morphology, hyphal growth rate, pathogenicity and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis in the nuclear encoded ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes. The cultural characteristics of LP isolates varied from those of types IIIB and IV. LP isolates did not show distinct sclerotial formation and zonation, and the colour of their mycelia and pigment deposition was dark brown. LP isolates had slower hyphal growth rates than types IIIB and IV, with an optimum temperature of 25°C compared with 28°C for types IIIB and IV. LP isolates were less virulent on radish but highly virulent on zoysia grass when compared with isolates of types IIIB and IV. Genomic DNA was digested separately with Eco RI, Ban III, Xba I and Sal I, and probed with cloned rDNA from Alternaria alternata in Southern hybridizations. LP isolates had one RFLP pattern, while both IIIB and IV possessed four different patterns each. Cluster analysis of RFLPs showed that R. solani AG2-2 is divided into three genetic subgroups, consisting of the IIIB, IV and LP isolates, respectively. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified rDNA internally transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the IIIB, IV and LP isolates had the same length but produced different restriction patterns when digested with Msp I and Taq I. These results indicate that there are three cultural types in R. solani AG2-2, namely IIIB, IV and LP.     

Structure-activity study of herbicidal N-chloroacetyl-N-phenylglycine esters

N-Chloroacetyl-N-phenylglycine esters were shown to exert various degrees of growth inhibiting activity against young shoots of annual grasses. The activity against the rice plant and barnyard-grass was determined for 58 derivatives where either the aromatic substituent or ester moiety was modified. The structure-activity relationships were analyzed using physicochemical parameters of the molecule such as log P, σ, and E_s, and regression analysis. By comparing the correlations derived for the rice plant and barnyard-grass, the selectivity in herbicidal activity is discussed.     

Ontogenetic changes in water-use efficiency (δC) and leaf traits differ among tree species growing in a semiarid region of the Loess Plateau,China

On the Loess Plateau, China, several planted tree species such as Populus hopeinsis and Robinia pseudoacacia suffer occasional diebacks in the top shoots, reducing growth rates after maturation. However, this does not usually occur in other species, e.g., Ulmus pumila and Zizyphus jujuba. We compared stable carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) as indicators of leaf water-use efficiency (WUE), leaf mass per unit area (LMA), and leaf area- and mass-based nitrogen content (N_area and N_mass) by tree height (1, 5, and 10 m) in P. hopeinsis, R. pseudoacacia, U. pumila, and Z. jujuba. In P. hopeinsis and R. pseudoacacia, leaf δ¹³C and N_area were significantly lower in 10-m trees than in 1-m saplings, indicating that leaf WUE and photosynthetic rates of both species decreased with tree height. In contrast, δ¹³C in Z. jujuba varied little with tree height. The δ¹³C of 10-m-tall U. pumila trees was significantly higher than that of 1-m plants, demonstrating an increase in WUE with tree height. Decreasing WUE, leaf N_area, and N_mass with height increases in P. hopeinsis and R. pseudoacacia may be related to water and nutrient limitations for these species in semiarid regions. In contrast, stable or increasing δ¹³C with tree height in U. pumila and Z. jujuba may account (to some extent) for successful production of these species under identical environmental conditions. Diameter growth rate also decreased with maturity in P. hopeinsis and R. pseudoacacia, but increased or was stable for U. pumila and Z. jujuba. The differences in leaf WUE and LMA among species with tree maturity may be related to species’ growth patterns and susceptibility to drought stress, and are likely to be important new criteria for plantation species selection on the Loess Plateau.     

Analysis of plasmids encoding the histidine decarboxylase gene in Tetragenococcus muriaticus isolated from Japanese fermented seafoods

In order to analyze the genes related to histamine production in halophilic lactic acid bacteria, 16 strains of histamine-producing bacteria were isolated from three fermented seafoods produced in the Hokuriku region of Japan. Phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses identified all of the strains as those of Tetragenococcus muriaticus. Pyruvoyl-dependent histidine decarboxylase gene (hdcA) was determined from all strains using the PCR method with an hdcA-specific detection primer set. Genetic analyses (Southern blot and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis) of hdcA and genes related to histamine production (the hdc cluster) confirmed that all of the strains harbored 21–23 kbp plasmids encoding a single copy of hdcA. The four representative strains were selected based on isolation source and genetic analysis, and subsequently full sequences of plasmids harbored in these strains were determined. hdc cluster sequences from the plasmids showed very high similarity (>99 %) to known hdc clusters of T. halophilus, Lactobacillus hilgardii 0006, and other lactic acid bacteria. The structures of the plasmids, the replication region, the hdc cluster, and the plasmid maintenance system were conserved between the plasmids present in new isolates and the T. halophilus strains. These results indicate that plasmids encoding hdcA are widely distributed among T. halophilus and T. muriaticus and function in both species.     

Characterization by conventional techniques and PCR of Rhizoctonia solani isolates causing banded leaf sheath blight in maize

Rhizoctonia -diseased specimens were collected from various host species growing in or near maize fields in different geographic regions of the Philippines. A greater range of host species, with varying types of disease symptoms, was found in Mindanao than in Luzon. Fifty-two isolates belonged to anastomosis group AG1-IA and caused banded leaf and sheath blight in maize ( Zea mays ), but they showed considerable variation in virulence. The most and least virulent isolates recovered from maize were both collected from Mindanao. Isolates from necrotic spots/foliar blight of durian and coffee, which were collected from the same region, showed the lowest lesion heights. UPGMA-SAHN clustering analysis from RAPD fingerprint data of 30 haplotypes of R. solani AG1-IA isolates from the Philippines and Japan resolved seven groups of AG1-IA at the 75% similarity level. Variation among isolates from upland crops seemed to be partially correlated with geographical origin and virulence. In the case of paddy rice isolates from Japan and the Philippines, some were closely related, with over 75% similarity, suggesting a common origin. In PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region, no polymorphism was observed among the AG1-IA isolates but they were differentiated from subgroups AG1-IB and AG1-IC using the endonucleases Eco RI, Mbo I and Hin fI.