Net depth response of a depth-controllable (towed) gillnet for fish sampling

SUMMARY: Flume-tank experiments were performed to examine the depth response of a new type of depth-controlled gillnet. Variations of net depth were investigated as the warp was paid out and wound up for different changes of warp length, main sinker weights, and winch speeds. In most experiments, when the warp finished paying out, the net continued to descend and then ascended slightly to an equilibrium depth (overshoot phenomenon). The overshoot distance was nearly constant when the warp was wound up and increased linearly with increasing winch speed when the warp was paid out. An increase in winch speed reduced net settling time, which converged on a constant value for both paying out and winding up.     

Effects of Monoglycerides of Varying Fatty Acid Chain Length and Mixtures Thereof on Sponge‐and‐Dough Breadmaking Quality

Monoglycerides are widely used in the baking industry because of their antistaling effects, mainly suppressing crumb firming. Commercial monoglycerides are normally prepared from hydrogenated fats, with stearate being the most common fatty acid. In a previous study, monoglycerides such as monopalmitate (C16) and monostearate (C18) had positive effects on Canadian short process bread but no improvements on sponge‐and‐dough process (SDP) bread. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of saturated monoglycerides of varying fatty acid chain length (C14–C22) on SDP breadmaking quality by using volume judgment, crumb image analysis, and texture measurements. Higher levels (1.00–1.50%) of all monoglycerides (C14, C16, and C18) significantly (P < 0.05) increased loaf volume and cell diameter. The larger cell diameter with increasing levels of these monoglycerides may have resulted from softer, more extensible dough handling properties and greater gas cell stability during baking. Addition of C16 and C18 caused the largest increase in crumb softness with increasing monoglyceride levels but showed relatively low resilience, which might be related to larger loaf volume (i.e., lower density of bread). However, addition of blended monoglycerides C14+C16 increased crumb softness and loaf volume while partially retaining resilience. Each monoglyceride had a different function in breadmaking quality and somewhat positive effects on SDP.     

Effects of leptin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha on degranulation and superoxide production of polymorphonuclear neutrophils from Holstein cows

Leptin, a pleiotropic hormone regulating food intake and energy expenditure, has been shown to directly modulate human polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) functions or indirectly through the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Bovine PMN have considerable different characteristics from human PMN. For example, it does not respond to N-formyl-Methionyl-Leucyl-phenylalanine, a well known human PMN activator. In the present study, we tested the effects of leptin and TNF-alpha on superoxide production and degranulation of bovine peripheral PMN, in which both long isoform of leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) and TNF receptor 1 were expressed. Human leptin, human TNF-alpha, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and opsonized zymosan particles (OZP) did not stimulate degranulation responses, while zymosan-activated serum (ZAS) did. Neither leptin nor TNF-alpha enhanced the ZAS-induced degranulation responses. TNF-alpha, PMA, OZP and ZAS increased superoxide production in different magnitudes, whereas leptin did not. TNF-alpha, but not leptin, enhanced OZP- and ZAS-induced superoxide production, possibly, in part due to facilitating translocation of p47(phox), a component of NADPH oxidase. These results indicate that, unlike in human PMN, leptin does not have any direct effect on degranulation and superoxide production in bovine PMN, although TNF-alpha influences superoxide production.     

Development of a plant conveyance system using an AGV and a self-designed plant-handling device: A case study of DIY plant phenotyping

Plant phenotyping technology has been actively developed in recent years, but the introduction of these technologies into the field of agronomic research has not progressed as expected, in part due to the need for flexibility and low cost. “DIY” (Do It Yourself) methodologies are an efficient way to overcome such obstacles. Devices with modular functionality are critical to DIY experimentation, allowing researchers flexibility of design. In this study, we developed a plant conveyance system using a commercial AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) as a case study of DIY plant phenotyping. The convey module consists of two devices, a running device and a plant-handling device. The running device was developed based on a commercial AGV Kit. The plant-handling device, plant stands, and pot attachments were originally designed and fabricated by us and our associates. Software was also developed for connecting the devices and operating the system. The run route was set with magnetic tape, which can be easily changed or rerouted. Our plant delivery system was developed with low cost and having high flexibility, as a unit that can contribute to others’ DIY’ plant research efforts as well as our own. It is expected that the developed devices will contribute to diverse phenotype observations of plants in the greenhouse as well as to other important functions in plant breeding and agricultural production.     

The significance of meandering channel morphology on the diversity and abundance of macroinvertebrates in a lowland river in Japan

• 1. Many rivers and streams across the world have been channelized for various purposes. Channel cross‐sections of meandering rivers are asymmetrical and have cross‐sectional diversity in their physical environment; cross‐sections of a channelized river are typically trapezoidal and have little cross‐sectional diversity, both in physical and ecological conditions. Several programmes to restore stream meanders have been undertaken to improve river ecosystems degraded by channelization. However, the association between diversification in the physical environment due to meander restoration and the macroinvertebrate community structure is poorly known.
• 2. This study of a lowland river in Japan assessed how the cross‐sectional diversity of the physical environment changed with restoration of a meander in a channelized river, and how the macroinvertebrate communities responded to the changes in physical habitat variation. Comparisons were made between the macroinvertebrate communities of a channelized reach, the restored meandering reach, and a natural meandering reach.
• 3. Natural meandering and restored meandering reaches showed higher cross‐sectional diversity in physical variables and total taxon richness across a reach than did the channelized reach. Almost all taxa observed in the natural and restored meandering reaches were concentrated in the shallowest marginal habitats near the banks. Shear velocity increasing with water depth had a negative association with macroinvertebrate density and richness.
• 4. This study demonstrated that the shallow river bed along the inside of bends formed point bars that provided a highly stable substrate, a suitable habitat for macroinvertebrates in a lowland river. It is concluded that meander restoration could be an effective strategy for in‐stream habitat restoration in lowland meandering rivers.

Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Life-history variation in relation to nest site abundance in males of the freshwater goby Tridentiger brevispinis

Abstract –  Age at maturity in males of the freshwater goby Tridentiger brevispinis , a species with exclusive paternal care, was investigated in two populations in Lake Biwa, Japan, that differed markedly in nest site abundance. At Ohmi-maiko, where nest sites were scarce, most males matured at age 3, and mean body size of males guarding eggs in nests was larger than that of males sampled randomly (including both guarding and nonguarding males) in the population. Conversely, at Minamihama, where nest sites were abundant, many males matured at age 1, and there was no difference in body size between guarding males and males collected randomly. The slope of regression lines between body size of the guarding male and the number of eggs in his nest was greater in Ohmi-maiko than in Minamihama. These results suggest that the shortage of nest sites enhances reproductive success in larger males, probably through male–male competition for nest sites and female mate choice for larger males. I conclude that in nest spawners, the availability of nest sites should strongly affect life-history traits of males through sexual selection.     

Lysozyme-glucose stearic acid monoester conjugate formed through the Maillard reaction as an antibacterial emulsifier

Lysozyme-glucose stearic acid monoester (HEL-GE) conjugate was prepared through the Maillard reaction as an antibacterial emulsifier. The molar ratio of GE to HEL was 1:1. The isoelectric point was 6-7, which is lower than that of native HEL. Spectroscopic studies indicated that the alpha-helix content was slightly lower but the conformation around Trp had not changed and that the surface of the conjugate was covered with the GE moiety. The conjugate maintained approximately 53-57% of the enzymatic activity of native HEL at 40-60 degrees C and exhibited considerable resistance to proteolysis. The denaturation temperature of the conjugate was approximately 74 degrees C, somewhat higher than that of control HEL, whereas the enthalpy was about one-third of that of control HEL. The emulsifying activity of the conjugate and the emulsion stability were much enhanced compared to those of native HEL, and the conjugate maintained approximately 70% of the bactericidal activity.     

Functional changes in beta-lactoglobulin by conjugation with cationic saccharides

Bovine beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) was conjugated to each of three cationic saccharides [glucosamine (GlcN), chitopentaose (CPO), and chitosan (CHS)] by means of a water-soluble carbodiimide or by the Maillard reaction in an effort to improve the functional properties of beta-LG. The molar ratios of beta-LG to the cationic saccharide in the beta-LG-GlcN, beta-LG-CPO, and beta-LG-CHS conjugates were 2:1, 2:5, and 2:1, respectively. Fluorescence studies indicated that the conformation around Trp had changed in each conjugate and that the surface of each of the conjugates was covered with a saccharide chain. Structural analysis using monoclonal antibodies indicated that the conformation around (15)Val-(29)Ile (beta-sheet region) in beta-LG-GlcN and beta-LG-CPO had changed but that in beta-LG-CHS was maintained, whereas the conformation around (125)Thr-(135)Lys (alpha-helix region) in the conjugates had changed. The emulsifying activity of beta-LG was improved by conjugation with CPO or CHS, and aggregation of beta-LG was suppressed by conjugation with CHS. Reduction of the antigenicity and immunogenicity of beta-LG was achieved by conjugation with CHS.     

Dietary apigenin suppresses IgE and inflammatory cytokines production in C57BL/6N mice

Flavonoids ubiquitously exist in plants, vegetables, fruits, and teas. We evaluated the effect of dietary apigenin, one of the well-known flavonoids, on the immune system in C57BL/6N mice. Mice were fed experimental diets containing apigenin for 2 weeks. After the experimental period, there was no significant difference in body and organ weights between the control and the apigenin group. The total immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels in mice fed apigenin were significantly suppressed, whereas levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA were not affected. We also examined the effect of the apigenin diet on cytokine expression in mice sera using a cytokine array. The production of regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNFRI) in mice sera was down-regulated by the apigenin diet. These results suggest that a diet containing apigenin can reduce serum IgE and inflammatory cytokines such as RANTES and sTNFRI in mice.     

Thermal behavior of beta-1 subunits in lignin: pyrolysis of 1,2-diarylpropane-1,3-diol-type lignin model compounds

1,2-Diarylpropane-1,3-diol-type lignin model compounds, 1,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol (1) and 1-(3,4-diethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol (2), were pyrolyzed at 500 degrees C for 4 s to clarify the thermal behavior of beta-1 subunits in lignin. Products were monitored by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The cleavage of the Calpha-Cbeta bond to produce benzaldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (9) and phenylethanals as the counterparts such as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethanal (10) occurred in pyrolyses of both 1 and 2. In pyrolysis of 1, an oxetane pathway leading to the formation of Z/E-stilbenes without the gamma-CH2OH group such as Z/E-4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxystilbene (3) was predominant. In pyrolysis of 2, the oxetane pathway was minor, while pathways producing a dimer with a =CgammaH2 group by loss of water and a dimer with an alpha-carbonyl group were predominant. Pyrolysis of Japanese cedar wood provided 3 and 10 in approximately 0.8% and 0.6% yields, respectively, based on the Klason lignin content, while pyrolysis of a guaiacyl bulk dehydrogenation polymer gave them in a very small amount.