Physically based soil water characteristic curves function for soils with inner porosity

Many unimodal models have been developed to describe the soil water characteristic curves (SWCC). However, for soils with inner porosity the independent draining of the structural and matrix pores frequently results in two distinct air-entry values, which any single unimodal function does not reproduce adequately. In the presented study, a bimodal lognormal (BLN) SWCCs function have been developed for soils with inner porosity. The model involved two overlaying continua pore systems, the pore probability density functions of systems were assumed as lognormal distribution and them can be superposed to obtain the overall probability density function of the soil. The experimental SWCCs data were used to verify the proposed method. The fitted result showed that the BLN approach resulted in the best agreement between measurement and simulation (R² > 0.99, RSME < 0.66). Another advantage of proposed function was capable of simulating bimodal SWCC using parameters which can be related to physical properties of the structural soils. These physically based parameters could more intuitively analyse the measured data. The BLN approach can potentially be used as effective tool for identifying mechanical and hydraulic porosities in the structural mediums.     

Evaluation of the thermal property of bovine intramuscular adipose tissue using differential scanning calorimetry

The thermal property of bovine intramuscular adipose tissue (IAT) was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and compared with the melting point temperature (MP) of the fat extract of IAT, which was measured using the slip point method. The beef samples were classified according to the beef marbling score (BMS). Beef with a high BMS contained less protein than that with middle or low BMS. Beef with a high BMS contained significantly more fat than that with a low BMS (P < 0.05). The endothermic point temperature (EP) of IAT, measured by DSC, was significantly higher than the MP of IAT fat (P < 0.05). The EP showed no significant difference among the three marbling grade groups. Although the MP was correlated with the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content of IAT (R² = 0.505), there was no correlation between the EP and the MUFA (R² = 0.040). However, the EP of IAT treated with collagenase was relatively highly correlated with the MP (R² = 0.655). Thus, these results suggested that DSC analysis would give us the practical thermal information regarding the melt‐in the‐mouth of beef such as the gelatinization of collagen, along with the melting of fat in IAT.     

Genome-wide SNP genotyping reveals hidden population structure of an acroporid species at a subtropical coral island: Implications for coral restoration

1. It is essential to consider genetic composition for both conventional coral restoration management and for initiating new interventions to counter the significant global decline in living corals. Population genetic structure at a fine spatial scale should be carefully evaluated before implementing strategies to achieve self-sustaining ecosystems via coral restoration.
2. This study investigated the population genetic structure of two acroporid species at Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan. There were 140 colonies of Acropora digitifera collected from seven study sites, and 81 colonies of Acropora tenuis from six sites. In total, 384 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci for A. digitifera and 470 SNPs for A. tenuis were obtained using a comparatively economical technique, Multiplexed ISSR Genotyping by sequencing.
3. Observed heterozygosity was significantly lower than expected heterozygosity at all SNP sites in both acroporid species, suggesting deficient genetic diversity possibly caused by past massive coral bleaching. Even though both species are broadcast spawners, the population structure was different in the two species. No detectable structure was evident in A. digitifera, but two distinct clades were found in A. tenuis. The genetic homogeneity of A. digitifera at Kume Island suggests that this species could be used as a focal species for active restoration in terms of genetic differentiation at this island. By contrast, A. tenuis unexpectedly included two distinct clades with little or no admixture within a small study area, possibly representing two reproductively isolated cryptic species. Thus, when using A. tenuis, it would be prudent to avoid disturbing the genetic composition of wild populations until this question is answered.

     

Molecular ordering of organic molten salts triggered by single-walled carbon nanotubes

When mixed with imidazolium ion-based room-temperature ionic liquid, pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes formed gels after being ground. The heavily entangled nanotube bundles were found to untangle within the gel to form much finer bundles. Phase transition and rheological properties suggest that the gels are formed by physical cross-linking of the nanotube bundles, mediated by local molecular ordering of the ionic liquids rather than by entanglement of the nanotubes. The gels were thermally stable and did not shrivel, even under reduced pressure resulting from the nonvolatility of the ionic liquids, but they would readily undergo a gel-to-solid transition on absorbent materials. The use of a polymerizable ionic liquid as the gelling medium allows for the fabrication of a highly electroconductive polymer/nanotube composite material, which showed a substantial enhancement in dynamic hardness.     

Patient-side assay of lipase activity correlating with pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity in the dog

Pancreatitis is a common exocrine pancreatic disease in dogs, and the pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI) test is used for diagnosis. Enzyme catalytic assay is thought to have low specificity, but a lipase activity assay with increased specificity has been developed in human clinical chemistry. We measured serum lipase activity of 65 client-owned dogs using the newly developed FUJI DRI-CHEM slide and compared the results with their PLI concentrations. The results showed a good correlation (r = 0.91), and the normal and pancreatitis dogs identified based on the PLI values were correctly separated based on lipase activity. The present study suggests that FUJI DRI-CHEM lipase activity would be helpful for diagnosis of pacreatitis in dogs and, in particular, that it can be used as a patient-side assay and contributes to immediate treatment.     

A new liquid-type diet for leptocephali in mass production of artificial glass eels

Fisheries Science - Development of artificial production of glass eels still presents many problems to be solved. What and how to feed larvae is one of the most crucial problems for commercial mass...     

Involvement of nitric oxide generation in hypersensitive cell death induced by elicitin in tobacco cell suspension culture

Recent studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO), an important signaling and defense molecule in mammals, plays a key role in activating disease resistance in plants. We characterized NO production by tobacco Bright Yellow-2 cells pharmacologically after treatment with INF1, the major elicitin secreted by the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans, prepared from Escherichia coli. NO production rapidly occurred within 1h and reached a maximum level 3–6h after the addition of INF1. Carboxy-PTIO, a NO-specific scavenger, abolished INF1-induced NO production in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment of protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide and protein kinase inhibitor K252a blocked NO production 3–12h after INF1 treatment, indicating that NO production requires de novo protein synthesis and protein phosphorylation. In an investigation of the relations between NO generation and several defense responses induced by INF1, carboxy-PTIO completely suppressed activation of a 41-kDa protein kinase and cell death by INF1. Carboxy-PTIO also suppressed the induction of hypersensitive-related (hsr) genes HSR515 and HSR203J, the expression of which is strongly correlated with the hypersensitive response in plants. The results suggest that NO plays a crucial role in the induction of hypersensitive cell death.     

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the KIT and KITLG genes in pigs

Here, we report the variability in the KIT tyrosine kinase receptor and its ligand KITLG genes by determining single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 384 individuals including 11 pig breeds, two synthetic-line cross pigs, two cross breeds, and one Japanese wild boar. SNPs and indels within the coding sequence regions of KITLG and KIT and their 5'-flanking regions were detected by aligning sequences from eight pigs, and subsequently the SNPs were genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF-MS). Principal component analysis using allele frequencies in the SNP locus showed a distant relationship between Asian and Euro-American pig groups, except for Berkshire and Tokyo X breeds. These breeds were located within the mid-portion of the distribution in the first principal component. The Hampshire breed was distant from the other pig groups on the axis of the second principal component. Haplotype frequencies that were deduced using non-synonymous substitutions of the KIT gene revealed the uniqueness of Landrace, Large White, Middle White, and three-way cross pigs (LWD) and of the Hampshire breed. On the other hand, the haplotypes of KITLG and KIT detected in the Berkshire breed were prevalent in Asian pig groups. This tendency is different from that observed in other Euro-American pig breeds.     

Population size estimation of the pond smelt Hypomesus nipponensis in Lake Kasumigaura and Lake Kitaura,Japan

We estimated the population size of the pond smelt Hypomesus nipponensis at the beginning of the fishing season in Lake Kasumigaura and Lake Kitaura, Japan using two DeLury methods and cohort analysis. A growth curve was estimated on the basis of monthly standard length. The relationship between standard length and weight was utilized for calculating the mean weight on the survey day in a particular month. Total monthly catches in Lake Kasumigaura and Lake Kitaura were calculated using partial monthly pond smelt catch obtained from processing plants located near the lakes between July and December. The total monthly catch was calculated from the total monthly catch weight and the monthly mean weight. The number of boats operating each month, compiled by the Kasumigaura-Kitaura Fisheries Office of Ibaraki Prefecture, was also employed. The estimated initial population sizes were compared with the population level index (PLI) estimated from survey data before the start of the fishing season. No significant differences were detected among the initial population sizes estimated by DeLury method, cohort analysis and PLI. The estimates ranged from 7.4 million to 410 million in Lake Kasumigaura, and from 7.7 million to 44 million in Lake Kitaura.     

Effects of feeding high volumes of milk replacer on reproductive performance and on concentrations of metabolites and hormones in blood of Japanese black heifer calves

We evaluated the effects of feeding high volumes of milk replacer on growth and reproductive performances in Japanese black heifers. Fifty-one heifers were fed milk replacer at 9 L/day for 60 days (9 L × 60 days; n = 18) or 41 days (9 L × 41 days; n = 15), or at 7 L/day for 40 days (7 L × 40 days; n = 18). Artificial insemination (AI) was performed on heifers with ≥270 kg body weight and ≥116 cm body height at 300 days of age. The age at the first AI was 0.35 month later for 7 L × 40 days than the other groups (p < .01). However, age at calving did not differ among treatments (22.1 months). The interval from the first AI to pregnancy tended to be ~2 months longer for the 9 L × 60 days than the other groups (p = .07). Our results showed that feeding high volumes of milk replacer may reduce the age at calving via an improved rate of growth. In addition, we propose that feeding a maximum of 7 L milk replacer for 40 days may be the most appropriate rearing regime because the success of pregnancy per AI may be reduced in calves fed a maximum of 9 L for 41 and 60 days.