Culture and climate change: Japanese cherry blossom festivals and stakeholders’ knowledge and attitudes about global climate change

Most global climate change models predict serious ecological and social problems. In Japan, biologists have found climate change is affecting species and ecosystems, including the earlier flowering time of cherry trees which are an important cultural symbol in Japan. Cherry blossom festivals are also important to local economies. This study explored the perceptions of Japanese residents regarding climate change impacts on culturally significant events such as flower timing of cherry trees. We conducted interviews of stakeholders of three cherry blossom festivals, including sixteen organizers of festivals and 26 managers of festival-dependent businesses, to understand their awareness, attitudes and behaviors toward global climate change and impacts on cherry blossom festivals. Most organizers of the festival in Kakunodate were concerned about global warming and its impact on cherry blossom times while organizers of festivals in Nakano and Komoro felt it was unimportant if flower timing affected the festival schedule. Most (92%) managers of festival-dependent businesses mentioned that global warming is occurring and affecting the flower timing of cherry trees, but there were diverse perceptions of global warming impacts on their business. Managers more dependent on income from cherry blossom festivals indicated greater concern for the effects of climate change.     

Effects of trypsin on cytosolic calcium levels in the rat aortic endothelium

The effect of trypsin on vascular tone and the cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) of endothelial and smooth muscle cells were examined in the rat aorta. A calcium indicator, fura-PE3, was used to measure [Ca(2+)](i) simultaneously with vascular tone. In the endothelium-intact rat aorta, carbachol and trypsin increased [Ca(2+)](i) in a dose-dependent manner. In the endothelium-denuded rat aorta, carbachol did not change [Ca(2+)](i), but trypsin slightly increased it. Addition of trypsin to the norepinephrine-stimulated rat aorta relaxed the muscle with an additional increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Under calcium-free conditions, trypsin induced a transient increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Trypsin-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation was inhibited by preincubation with l-NMMA, an endothelial NO synthase inhibitor, U-73122, a phospholipase C inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid, a sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase blocker, and lanthanum, a nonselective Ca(2+) channel blocker. However, indomethacin, a nonselective cyclooxygenase inhibitor, and SKF-96365, a store-operated Ca(2+)-channel blocker, had no effect on the trypsin-induced relaxation. These results suggest that trypsin increases [Ca(2+)](i) in the endothelial cells through SKF-96365-insensitive Ca(2+) channels and regulates the release of NO, which results in relaxation of the rat aorta.     

Participation of iron in denitrification in waterlogged soil

A study was made of the formation of anaerobiosis in a waterlogged soil. A dilute soil suspension containing NO^?₃, Fe³⁺, sodium citrate, a limited amount of O₂, and trace elements was used as a model of waterlogged soil. Polarography was used to detect dissolved O₂, Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺. The fates of the NO^?₃ and Fe³⁺ during and after O₂ consumption by the microorganisms were studied in a specially designed vessel. A close correspondence was obtained between the reduction of NO^?₃, NO^?₂ and Fe³⁺ and the growth of denitrifying bacteria in the closed system employed. From the experimental results we presume that microorganisms which respire NO^?₃ are also capable of utilising Fe³⁺ in their respiration. The mechanisms of reduction of these chemical species by the microorganisms are also discussed, emphasising the possibility of the participation of chemical reduction of NO^?₂ by Fe²⁺ in the over-all reduction process.     

First report of Helleborus net necrosis virus isolated from hellebores with black death syndrome in Japan

Helleborus net necrosis virus (HeNNV) in hellebores (Helleborus spp.) has been detected for the first time in Japan. Infected plants had black streaks on fresh leaves and black spots on sepals, which resembled the symptoms of black death disease. The morphology of the virus particles isolated from infected plants was comparable to that of carlaviruses. RT-PCR analysis showed that the entire HeNNV genomic sequence isolated in Japan shared 99% identity with that of HeNNV previously reported in the United States.     

Mechanical stress grading of tropical timbers without regard to species

Some reports have shown that for single species the correlation between modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) in bending is quite high. Tropical timbers consist of hundreds of species that are difficult to identify. This report deals with the mechanical stress grading of tropical timber regardless of species. Nine timber species or groups of species with a total number of 1094 pieces measuring 60 × 120 × 3000 mm, were tested in static bending. The MOE was measured flat wise, while MOR was tested edge wise. Statistical analysis of linear regression with a dummy model and analysis of covariance were used to analyze the role of MOE and the effect of species on prediction of MOR. The analysis showed that using MOE as a single predictor caused under/overestimation for one or more species and/or groups of species. The accuracy of prediction would be increased with species identification. An allowable stress and reference resistance for species and/or groups of species were provided to compare with the prediction of strength through timber grading. The timber strength class for species and/or groups of species was also established to support the application of mechanical timber grading.     

Effect of intramammary injection of RbIL-8 on milk levels of somatic cell count, chemiluminescence activity and shedding patterns of total bacteria and S. aureus in Holstein cows with naturally infected-subclinical mastitis

Summary The effect of intramammary injection of recombinant bovine interleukin-8 (rbIL-8, 1 mg/10 ml of saline) on quarter milk levels of somatic cell count (SCC), chemiluminescence (CL) activity and counts of total bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was investigated, using 10 Holstein cows with an early stage or a late stage of subclinical mastitis naturally infected with S. aureus. In the late-stage group, milk SCC and CL activity had significant rises with maximum levels at 6 h, following maintained high levels thereafter post-cytokine injection. The counts in milk total bacteria and S. aureus were insignificantly decreased, being increased back on day 7 post-cytokine injection. Thus, the cytokine was inefficient for the late-stage subclinical mastitis. However, in the early-stage group milk SCC and CL activity declined to under pre-injection levels on day 7 after marked and significant rises at 6 h and day 1 post-cytokine injection. The milk total bacterial count decreased significantly on days 0.25 and 2. Furthermore, the milk S. aureus count was decreased significantly on days 1, 2, 3 and 7 by the cytokine injection. These results suggest that the rbIL-8 has a potential as a therapeutic agent of the subclinical mastitis of dairy cows, if the cytokine is applied at an initial stage of infection.     

Encapsulation of molecular hydrogen in fullerene C60 by organic synthesis

In spite of their importance in fundamental and applied studies, the preparation of endohedral fullerenes has relied on difficult-to-control physical methods. We report a four-step organic reaction that completely closes a 13-membered ring orifice of an open-cage fullerene. This process can be used to synthesize a fullerene C60 encapsulating molecular hydrogen, which can be isolated as a pure product. This molecular surgical method should make possible the preparation of a series of C60 fullerenes, encapsulating either small atoms or molecules, that are not accessible by conventional physical methods.     

Evaluation of the PATHFAST Chemiluminescent Enzyme Immunoassay for Measuring Progesterone in Whole Blood and Serum of Mares

Evaluation of a new chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay, the PATHFAST assay system (PATHFAST), for measurement of circulating progesterone in mares was performed. Five mares at the mid-luteal stage were administrated a single i.m. injection of prostaglandin F2α analog (PGF2α; cloprostenol 250 μg/ml), and then blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at 0, 15, 30 and 45 min, at one-hour intervals until 24 and at 48 hr via a catheter in the jugular vein. To monitor the physiological changes in circulating progesterone in mares after induced luteolysis, concentrations of progesterone in whole blood and serum samples were measured by PATHFAST. In addition, concentrations of progesterone in serum samples measured by PATHFAST were compared with those measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Using PATHFAST, the serum concentrations of progesterone in mares correlated highly with those of whole blood samples (r=0.9672, n=88). The serum concentrations of progesterone as measured by PATHFAST correlated well with RIA (r=0.9654, n=88) and EIA (r=0.9323, n=112). An abrupt decline in circulating progesterone in whole blood samples was observed within 2 hr (50%), followed by a gradual decline until 48 hr later. The results for progesterone in whole blood samples correlated highly with those in serum samples, and the declining pattern paralleled that of the serum samples. These results demonstrated that PATHFAST is useful in the equine clinic as an accurate diagnostic tool for rapid assay of progesterone within 26 min, using unextracted whole blood.