Effect of annual rings on transmission of 100 GHz millimeter waves through wood

For the application of millimeter wave (MMW) technique to nondestructive evaluation of wood, the effect of annual rings on the behavior of a 100 GHz MMW transmitted through wood was examined. The complex amplitude was measured for 2 mm thick flat- (LT) and quarter-sawn (LR) specimens of several species with different annual ring structures at 11 % moisture content, of which the density distribution was measured using X-ray radiography. For the LT specimens of all species and the LR specimens with small density fluctuation or with earlywood width smaller than the wavelength of the MMW (=3 mm), the amplitude and phase of the transmitted wave were similar to those of the wave without a specimen. For the LR specimen with large density fluctuation and with earlywood width close to or larger than the wavelength, the amplitude and phase were different from those of the wave without a specimen. All the measured complex amplitudes were well expressed using a diffraction model. It was concluded that the MMW is deformed by the density distribution, and then its components with periods shorter than the wavelength by diffraction are attenuated.     

Preliminary Studies on Stocking Density and Production of Hamoor Epinephelus tauvina in PVC-Lined Raceways

The results of two stocking density trials on the nursery and grow-out stages of Epinephelus tauvina (Family: Serranidae), in PVC-lined raceways are presented.
At the nursery stage, fry of 17.1 g initial mean weight showed no significant differences in growth rate, survival rate and condition factor when stocked at densities of 200 and 400 fish/m³ over a period of 52 days. Fish grew to mean weights of 61.7 and 63.7 g, giving growth rates of 0.86 and 0.90 g/fish/day and final biomasses of 12.1 and 2S.2 kg/m³ for densities of 200 and 400 fish/m³, respectively. Survival rates were excellent for both treatments at 98percnt; or greater. Food conversion efficiency was slightly improved at the higher density.
At the grow-out stage, E. tauvina of mean weights ranging from 150-170 g cultured for a period of 215 days grew better at a density of 5 fish/m³ than at densities of 20 and 60 fish/m³ (final size: 770, 560 and 450 g with growth rates of 2.8, 1.8 and 1.4 g/fish/day, respectively). Survival rates were higher at the two lower densities. Overall, total biomass increased with stocking density (3.9, 11.1 and 23.4 kg/m³, for 5, 20 and 60 fish/m³, respectively). These results indicate that hamoor has potential to be successfully cultured in raceways.     

An approach to achieve sustainable development goals through participatory land and forest conservation: a case study in South Kalimantan Province,Indonesia

The delivery of sustainable development goals (SDGs) through a participatory land and forest conservation initiative was evaluated in South Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. The initiative focused on the rehabilitation of a 410 ha forest that was managed by local villagers. A forest rehabilitation and management initiative was developed through participatory action, establishing a well-managed rubber plantation that provided new livelihood opportunities. Poverty reduction was promoted, evidenced by a reduction in inequality amongst the local community. Between 2010 and 2018 the Gini coefficient of inequality declined from 34.6% to 31.3%, demonstrating a contribution to SDGs 1 (No Poverty) and 10 (Reduced Inequalities). In addition, forest rehabilitation resulted in improved carbon stock and biodiversity management contributing to SDG15 (Life on Land). This was attributed to successful forest rehabilitation and the reduced incidence of forest fires. Cooperation amongst local villagers categorized as living in poor households was improved, facilitated by capacity building. This focused on rubber plantation management, cooperative action, and firefighting activities. This capacity building contributed to the delivery of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Results from a socio-economic survey demonstrated that group activities and cooperation amongst stakeholders were essential to improve both livelihoods and forest management practices.     

Fatty acid compositions in muscles of wild and cultured ocellate puffer Takifugu rubripes

Lipid contents and fatty acid compositions were compared among 110 muscle samples of Japanese wild, Japanese cultured, and Chinese cultured ocellate puffer Takifugu rubripes. The effects of diet on muscle lipids in cultured ocellate puffer were also investigated. There was no noticeable difference between the wild and cultured fish with regard to the lipid content, but there were significant differences in the fatty acid composition ratio such as C16:0, C16:1n-7, and C20:4n-6. Moreover, the percentages of the fatty acids C18:2n-6 and C22:5n-3 were correlated with those in the diet. These results suggest that the muscle lipid content was not affected by diet, whereas fatty acid composition was affected. There were significant differences in fatty acid composition among Japanese wild fish, Japanese cultured fish, and Chinese cultured fish. The results suggest that the fatty acid composition is applicable as a tool to distinguish between wild and cultured ocellate puffer as well as those cultured in Japan and China.     

Foraging behavior of Osmia cornifrons in an apple orchard

An apple orchard consisting of a single commercial cultivar and of pollinizers such as Crab apples under the condition of natural pollination needs pollinators for stable fruit production. We investigated the foraging behavior of pollinators, especially Osmia cornifrons Radoszkowski, in order to evaluate their use instead of honeybees.     

A calibration method for adjusting hemispherical photographs to appropriate black-and-white images

In order to quantify the light conditions of a deciduous broad-leaved forest, we proposed a method to determine the threshold level of the brightness of a hemispherical photograph when converting it into a one-bit screen image. The coefficient of determination was examined for the regression between the measured ISF (indirect site factor) using the quantum sensors and the estimated ISF from the photographs, by changing the threshold level for the photographs. In the range of threshold levels between 60 and 180, the coefficients of determination (r ²) were all significant, andr ² had a single maximum value at the threshold level of 115. This method was found to be effective for determining a single threshold level without subjectivity at any season.     

Terrestrial prey inputs to streams bordered by deciduous broadleaved forests,conifer plantations and clear‐cut sites in southwestern Japan: effects on the abundance of red‐spotted masu salmon

Terrestrial invertebrates falling from the riparian canopy are a major energy source for fishes in headwater streams. Because quantity and quality of such allochthonous resources can vary depending on riparian conditions, conversion of riparian forests to conifer plantations may affect stream productivity. We compared falling and drifting invertebrate abundances and the diet of masu salmon (Oncorhynchus masou) among stream reaches bordered by deciduous broadleaved forests, conifer plantations (Cryptomeria japonica), and clear‐cut sites in southwestern Japan. We also examined whether among‐reach variation in salmon abundance was related to the riparian vegetation types. The results indicated that, on an annual basis, falling inputs of terrestrial invertebrates at the broadleaved reaches were 2–4 times higher than those at the plantation and clear‐cut reaches. In nonwinter seasons, terrestrial invertebrates made up 40–60% and 30–90% of drift and masu salmon diets, respectively, and drifting invertebrate abundance was higher in the broadleaved reaches than in the plantation reaches. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis of salmon abundance showed that variation in salmon biomass was explained primarily by riparian vegetation type, with broadleaved and clear‐cut reaches having higher biomass than the plantation reaches. These results indicate that terrestrial invertebrates are an important resource for masu salmon, and suggest that streams bordered by conifer plantations receive lower terrestrial prey inputs, which results in lower salmon abundance. In regions where natural forests have been extensively converted to conifer plantations, forest management that allows and facilitates recovery of natural riparian stands is important.     

Structure-activity relationships of some congeners of 4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid against aspen decay and stain fungi

Phellinus tremulae is the most important decay fungus on Populus tremuloides. In forest industries using aspen wood chips, two blue-stain fungi Ophiostoma crassivaginatum and Ophiostoma piliferum cause considerable reduction in the value of the end product. Thirty-eight homologues and analogues of 4-phenyl-3-butenoic acid were studied against P. tremulae, O. crassivaginatum, and O. piliferum. Varied inhibition of the in vitro growth of these fungi was observed at 1–1000 μg/ml. The wood-chip colonization by P. tremulae was not affected by the six most active compounds at 1 μg/ml, however, at 10 and 100 μg/ml the growth of P. tremulae on wood chips was totally arrested. 4-Phenyl-3-butenoic acid and 4-phenyl-3-butynoic acid prevented blue-stain development on wood chips at 1 μg/ml.