A physically based FVM watershed model fully coupling surface and subsurface water flows

A sophisticated modeling approach for simulating-coupled surface and subsurface flows in a watershed is presented. The watershed model developed is a spatially distributed physically based model of composite dimension, consisting of 3-D variably saturated groundwater flow submodel, 2-D overland flow submodel and 1-D river flow submodel. The 3-D subsurface flow is represented by the complete Richards equation, while the 2-D and 1-D surface flows by the diffusive approximations of their complete dynamic equations. For piecewise integration of these equations, the finite volume method (FVM) is employed assuming unknown variables such as the water depth and the pressure head to be volume-averaged state ones. Problem plane geometry is meshed with the unstructured cells of triangular shape which conforms to external as well as internal irregular boundaries such as those between 1-D and 2-D flows. A cell size controlling scheme, referred to as quasi-adaptive meshing scheme, is introduced to keep the local discretization errors caused by topographic elevation gradient even over the entire-meshed geometry. Performance of the model is tested through its practical application to a rugged intermountain watershed. Tuning the values of the three key parameters ensures successful calibration of the model. Once the model is so calibrated, it could reproduce satisfactory runoff response to any rainfall event. Expansion and shrinkage of the contributing area importantly affecting the direct runoff, caused by the vicissitude of rainfall during its total duration, are well reproduced, like what the commonly accepted runoff theory argues. It is thus concluded that the model developed could serve as a powerful watershed simulator usable for investigating and assessing the hydrological aspect of a watershed.     

Choanephora rot of floral tops of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyoscyamus muticus</Emphasis> caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Choanephora cucurbitarum</Emphasis>

Floral rot of Egyptian henbane (Hyoscyamus muticus L.) was found on potted plants in a greenhouse in Yamaguchi city, Japan, in the late summer of 2008 and 2009. The symptoms were identical to those of rots caused by Choanephora species. The pathogen was isolated and identified as C. cucurbitarum (Berkeley and Ravenel) Thaxter. This new disease was named Choanephora rot (Kougai-kabi-byo) of Egyptian henbane.     

Effect of height-to-diameter ratio on stem stiffness of sugi (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cryptomeria japonica</Emphasis>) cultivars

The lumber from sugi plantations in Japan displays large intra- and intertree variation in mechanical properties, even within a stand. These variations seem to be induced by the effects of the characteristics of cultivars as well as the effects of growth traits on mechanical properties. Therefore, the effects of growth traits on mechanical properties per cultivar need to be precisely examined. In this study, we focused on the effects of growth traits, especially height-to-diameter ratio (H/D ratio), on stem stiffness per cultivar. Sixteen cultivars were classified into three groups according to the relationships between stem stiffness and growth traits. In cultivars that showed a close correlation between growth traits and stem stiffness, it was assumed that stem stiffness could be controlled to a certain extent by silvicultural practices using the H/D ratio as an indicator. In cultivars that showed a weak correlation between growth traits and stem stiffness, selecting cultivars for the production of logs with higher mechanical properties seemed to be effective; in this study, Kumotoshi, Tanoaka, and Edanaga were found to be suitable. Tree age and site index may be important factors for producing wood with higher mechanical properties.     

Exclusion of cytoplasmic fragments in flow cytometric analysis of lymph node samples from dogs with lymphoma using membrane-permeable violet laser-excitable DNA-binding fluorescent dye (DyeCycle Violet)

Background: Cytoplasmic fragments derived from fragile neoplastic lymphocytes are common in samples of lymph nodes collected from dogs with lymphoma. These cytoplasmic fragments interfere with accurate gating of target cells and quantification protocols used for flow cytometry because of their variable size and expression of lymphoid cell surface antigens on their membranes. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a method to efficiently exclude cytoplasmic fragments from flow cytometric analysis of canine lymph nodes in which lymphoma was present. Methods: Single‐cell suspensions of neoplastic cells were prepared from biopsy samples and fine‐needle aspirates of lymph nodes from 23 dogs with lymphoma. Suspensions were stained using a violet laser‐excitable (405 nm) membrane‐permeable DNA‐binding fluorescent dye (DyeCycle Violet [DCV]), incubated with antibodies against CD3, CD5, CD21, CD22, and CD45, and then stained with 7‐amino‐actinomycin D (7‐AAD), an argon‐excitable (488 nm) membrane‐impermeable DNA‐binding fluorescent dye. Multiparameter flow cytometry was used for analysis based on selective uptake and laser‐activated fluorescence of these dyes. Results: Cytoplasmic fragments, which were DCV‐negative and CD45‐positive, and dead cells, which were positive for 7‐AAD, were efficiently separated from neoplastic cells. Conclusion: Staining with DCV is a useful method to improve flow cytometric gating methods and quantitative analyses of lymph node samples from dogs with lymphoma.     

Cellulose synthesis during endocarp hardening of peach fruit

Summary

Changes in cellulose content and the accumulation of PpCesA1 mRNA, putatively encoding the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase (CesA), were analysed in endocarp and mesocarp during endocarp hardening in peach fruit. The cellulose content of the endocarp was undetectable or very low [< 0.1 mg g^–1 fresh weight (FW) of endocarp] until 48 d after full bloom (DAFB), but began to increase rapidly at 55 DAFB, when the endocarp had attained its maximum size, and reached 4.4 mg g^–1 FW of endocarp at 85 DAFB. In contrast, the cellulose content of the mesocarp reached a detectable level (1.5 mg g^–1 FW of mesocarp) at 34 DAFB, stayed at this level until 85 DAFB, but then was lower at 107 DAFB. PpCesA1 mRNA was detected in the endocarp throughout the hardening, but was undetectable in the mesocarp. It is suggested that PpCesA1 has a role in the rapid synthesis of cellulose in the secondary cell walls of endocarp tissue during hardening.     

Gene response in rice plants treated with continuous fog influenced by pH,was similar to that treated with biotic stress

Background

Throughout Asia, including Japan, rice plants are cultivated in a wide range of areas from lowlands to highlands and are frequently exposed to fog, including acid fog. Some physiological studies have shown that acid fog can be a stress factor for plants. We analyzed the gene expression profiles of rice plants treated with artificially prepared simulated acid fog (SiAF) or simulated neutral fog (SiNF) for 1 or 7 days.

Results

Microarray analysis results suggested that both the SiAF and the SiNF treatments induced the expression of genes involved in the defense and stress responses in rice plants. Induction of such genes was detected in plants treated with SiAF for 1 day, and the number of induced genes increased in plants treated with SiAF for 7 days. The genes for defense and stress responses were also induced by SiNF for 7 days, although they were not induced by SiNF for 1 day. The gene expression profiles of the SiAF-treated and the SiNF-treated plants were compared to those of plants treated with other stress factors. The comparison revealed that both SiAF and SiNF treatments have similar effects to biotic stresses and ozone stress. The genes encoding NADPH oxidase and germin, which function in apoplasts, were also induced by SiAF, SiNF and biotic stresses.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that both the SiAF and the SiNF treatments may result in oxidative stress through the apoplastic production of reactive oxygen species.     

The quality of cryopreserved sperm collected from feline caudal epididymides stored at room temperature

On the assumption that animals of wild feline species died in the field, caudal epididymal sperm were cryopreserved following storage of the feline epididymides at 20°C for 0-24 hr, and their qualities were observed. Compared to the qualities at 0 hr, no significant differences were noted following 12 hr of storage at 20°C. On comparison of the qualities between caudal sperm cryopreserved after 24 hr storage at 4°C and after 12 hr at 20°C followed by 12 hr storage at 4°C, no significant differences were noted. These findings suggest that the cryopreserved sperm collected from epididymides of dead animals might be useful for artificial insemination if cryopreservation was performed within 12 hr exposure to ambient temperature.     

Comparison of the blood coagulation profiles of ferrets and rats

The aim of this study was to examine the blood coagulation profiles of ferrets and compare them with those of rats. The ferret activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was slightly longer than the rat aPTT. In contrast, the ferret prothrombin time and thrombin time were profoundly shorter than the corresponding rat values. The fibrinogen level in ferret plasma was 2 times higher than that in rats. Heparin prolonged all blood coagulation times in a concentration-dependent manner in both ferret and rat plasma. A significantly (P<0.01) higher concentration of heparin was required to double the aPTT in ferrets than rats. These blood coagulation data for ferrets will be useful in experimental animal studies.     

Molecular changes associated with adaptation of equine influenza H3N8 virus in embryonated chicken eggs

Embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs) are routinely used to isolate equine influenza virus. Propagation of the virus in ECEs results in selection of variants. In the present study, we determined nucleotide sequences of entire coding regions of parent A/equine/Tottori/1/07 (H3N8) and its derivatives that have different passage histories in ECE. After 12 passages, nucleotide sequence analysis predicted 3 amino acid substitutions in hemagglutinin (HA; 2 in HA1 and 1 in HA2). The two amino acid substitutions in HA1 were located in the vicinity of the cell receptor-binding site. Three other amino acid substitutions were predicted in internal proteins, 1 in the M1, 1 in the NP and 1 in the PA. This is the first report showing mutations in the internal protein genes of equine influenza virus associated with adaptation to ECE.     

Identification of the strong vasorelaxing substance scirpusin B, a dimer of piceatannol, from passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds

Piceatannol is present in passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) seeds in high amounts. In this study, we isolated the second major polyphenolic compound of passion fruit seeds and identified it as scirpusin B, which is a dimer of piceatannol. We investigated the antioxidant activities and vasorelaxing effects of these polyphenols. Their antioxidant effects were measured using an in vitro 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, and their vasorelaxant effects were determined ex vivo in rat thoracic aorta. Both polyphenolic compounds exhibited potent antioxidant activities and significant vasorelaxant effects in endothelium-intact aortas. More specifically, scirpusin B exerted a greater antioxidant activity and vasorelaxant effect compared with that of piceatannol. Additionally, the vasorelaxation effects of the compounds were induced via the NO derived from the endothelium. This study provides the possibility that polyphenols in passion fruit seeds are effective against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).