Roles of silica and lignin in horsetail (Equisetum hyemale), with special reference to mechanical properties

This research deals with detailed analyses of silica and lignin distribution in horsetail with special reference to mechanical strength. Scanning electron images of a cross-section of an internode showed silica deposited densely only around the outer epidermis. Detailed histochemical analyses of lignin showed no lignin deposition in the silica-rich outer internodes of horsetail, while a characteristic lignin deposition was noticed in the vascular bundle in inner side of internodes. To analyze the structure of horsetail from a mechanical viewpoint, we calculated the response of a model structure of horsetail to a mechanical force applied perpendicularly to the long axis by a finite element method. We found that silica distributed in the outer epidermis may play the major structural role, with lignin's role being limited ensuring that the vascular bundle keep waterproof. These results were in contrast to more modern tall trees like gymnosperms, for which lignin provides mechanical strength. Lignin has the advantage of sticking to cellulose, hemicellulose, and other materials. Such properties make it possible for plants containing lignin to branch. Branching of tree stems aids in competing for light and other atmospheric resources. This type of branching was impossible for ancient horsetails, which relied on the physical properties of silica. From the evolutional view points, over millennia in trees with high lignin content, true branching, and many chlorophyll-containing leaves developed. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3688253]ArticleJOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS. 111(4):044703 (2012)journal articl

Structures and physiological functions of silica bodies in the epidermis of rice plants

We characterized silica structures in the epidermis of rice plant leaves and investigated their physiological functions from optical and mechanical viewpoints. By treating the distribution of silica bodies as a triangular lattice in the xy plane, and performing a theoretical optical analysis on this lattice, we discovered that a reduction in the photonic density of states may inhibit leaves of rice plant from being heated markedly higher than 20 degrees C. Ladderlike structures in the epidermis were mechanically investigated. These structures are conjectured to inhibit flat leaves from undergoing twisting torsions, which may assist the leaf to absorb sunlight more effectively for photosynthesis. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3232204]ArticleAPPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS. 95(12):123703 (2009)journal articl

SHAFT DRIVE CVT -A NEW TYPE CVT APPLYING CROSSED AXLE TRACTION DRIVE

ABSTRACT The crossed axle traction drive developed by the authors is applied to a new mechanism of CVT, the Shaft Drive CVT. The input and output shafts with conical disks are parallel and a idler shaft having conical rollers at both ends is placed perpendicular to the input/output shafts. This idler shaft transmits a torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and its movement produces the speed variation by changing the contact point between the input/ output disks and the idler rollers. The purposes of this study are 1) to propose the new CVT mechanism, 2) to design a curved shape of disk to decrease an amount of spin caused by the movement of contact point, 3) to develop a prototype to confirm the CVT to work and to evaluate the effect of curved disk by means of a power transmission efficiency. The design procedure of shapes of disk and roller are shown by geometrical analysis. The amount of spin is reduced 80% using the proposed concave disk. The range of speed changing ratio of the prototype is 0.5 to 2. The efficiency of 80% was obtained in case of input torque 10 Nm at uniform rate by using the conical disks. The effectiveness of concave disk is evaluated by comparing the experimental results using the conical and concave disks, respectively

A survey of dietary habits on first-year female university students from the viewpoint of access to food and dietary information

N大学における栄養教育学分野では，食生態学の視点を取り入れ，管理栄養士として質の高い社会的活動ができる教育カリキュラムの検討を進めている．そこで，食環境とのかかわりで高い実践力を持つ管理栄養士養成に有効な栄養教育学の教材開発の一環として，学習者である学生の食生活について食物入手および食情報入手の両面から特徴と課題を明らかにすることを目的とした検討を行なった． 計画的行動理論を取り入れた食生態調査の枠組みに基づいて調査票を設計し，007年７月にN大学１年生を対象に行なわれたセルフ・ヘルスプロモーション調査の一環として自記式質問紙調査を集合法で実施した．回答の得られた170人のうち，本報では女子146人について解析を行なった． 因子分析の結果，食物入手（栄養のことを考えた食事摂取）に影響を及ぼす要因は，行動意図および態度，昼・夕食の入手しやすさ，面倒くささ，朝食，昼・夕食におけるセルフエフィカシー，身近な人の ６ つに集約された．これら ６ つを独立変数，食物入手を従属変数とした重回帰分析を行なった結果，朝食，行動意図および態度，面倒くささが有意な影響を及ぼしていた．一方，食情報入手（栄養に関する情報入手）に影響を及ぼす要因は，行動意図および態度，身近な人，コントロール感，入手しやすさ，先生の ５ つに集約された．コントロール感が食情報入手に有意な影響を及ぼしていた． 計画的行動理論を取り入れた食生態調査の枠組みに基づいて，学生の食生活を食物摂取，食情報入手の両面から明らかにすることができ，教育内容の充実，発展に貢献する可能性を確認できた点で本研究の意義は大きいと考える．しかし，食環境がどのように両者の関係に関与するかの構造までは明らかにできなかったため，食環境も考慮したさらなる検討が必要であると考える．The nutrition education of N university bases on the theory of ecology of human and food and aims to provide highly qualified registered dietician enough to contribute our society. Therefore, we investigated students’ dietary habits to clarify how they access foods and dietary information in order to improve the education contents. A questionnaire survey was conducted in July 2007 on freshmen of N university. The questionnaire was designed based on the framework of ecology of human and food including the Theory of Planned Behavior. The subjects of analysis were only female (n=146). The factor analysis showed that the following six factors had influence on behavior of accessing food: “behavioral intention and attitude”, “accessibility of lunch or dinner”, “troublesome”, “breakfast”, “self-efficacy at lunch or dinner” and “close people”. The multiple regression analysis with these six factors as independent variables and behavior of accessing food as a dependent variable showed that “breakfast” was the strongest predictor of behavior. “Behavioral intention and attitude” and “troublesome” were also significant predictors of behavior. As for accessing dietary information, the factor analysis showed the following five factors had influence on behavior: “behavioral intention and attitude”, “close people”, “perceived behavioral control”, “accessibility of information” and “teachers”. The multiple regression analysis with these five as independent variables and behavior of accessing dietary information as a dependent variable showed that “perceived behavioral control” was the strongest predictor of behavior. Although we need more investigation considering food environment, the results will be able to contribute to improvement of the education.departmental bulletin pape

Roles of silica and lignin in horsetail ( Equisetum hyemale

This research deals with detailed analyses of silica and lignin distribution in horsetail with special reference to mechanical strength. Scanning electron images of a cross-section of an internode showed silica deposited densely only around the outer epidermis. Detailed histochemical analyses of lignin showed no lignin deposition in the silica-rich outer internodes of horsetail, while a characteristic lignin deposition was noticed in the vascular bundle in inner side of internodes. To analyze the structure of horsetail from a mechanical viewpoint, we calculated the response of a model structure of horsetail to a mechanical force applied perpendicularly to the long axis by a finite element method. We found that silica distributed in the outer epidermis may play the major structural role, with lignin's role being limited ensuring that the vascular bundle keep waterproof. These results were in contrast to more modern tall trees like gymnosperms, for which lignin provides mechanical strength. Lignin has the advantage of sticking to cellulose, hemicellulose, and other materials. Such properties make it possible for plants containing lignin to branch. Branching of tree stems aids in competing for light and other atmospheric resources. This type of branching was impossible for ancient horsetails, which relied on the physical properties of silica. From the evolutional view points, over millennia in trees with high lignin content, true branching, and many chlorophyll-containing leaves developed. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3688253]ArticleJOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS. 111(4):044703 (2012)journal articl

Complete Genetic Correction of iPS Cells From Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Human artificial chromosome (HAC) has several advantages as a gene therapy vector, including stable episomal maintenance that avoids insertional mutations and the ability to carry large gene inserts including the regulatory elements. Induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells have great potential for gene therapy, as such cells can be generated from the individual's own tissues, and when reintroduced can contribute to the specialized function of any tissue. As a proof of concept, we show herein the complete correction of a genetic deficiency in iPS cells derived from Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) model (mdx) mice and a human DMD patient using a HAC with a complete genomic dystrophin sequence (DYS-HAC). Deletion or mutation of dystrophin in iPS cells was corrected by transferring the DYS-HAC via microcell-mediated chromosome transfer (MMCT). DMD patient- and mdx-specific iPS cells with the DYS-HAC gave rise to differentiation of three germ layers in the teratoma, and human dystrophin expression was detected in muscle-like tissues. Furthermore, chimeric mice from mdx-iPS (DYS-HAC) cells were produced and DYS-HAC was detected in all tissues examined, with tissue-specific expression of dystrophin. Therefore, the combination of patient-specific iPS cells and HAC-containing defective genes represents a powerful tool for gene and cell therapies

Superconductivity and physical properties of Ba24Si100 determined from electric transport, specific-heat capacity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements

Both Ba24Si100 and Ba24Ge100 with crystallographically identical structure are found to be superconducting at 1.4 and 0.27 K, respectively. Physical properties of this superconductor Ba24Si100 are studied by electric transport, specific heat capacity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The density of states at the Fermi level NEF=0.148 states eV-1(Siatom)-1 and a distinct jump of Cp at the superconducting transition temperature ΔCp=0.272JK-1mol-1 are obtained. An exponential fit of Cp below the superconducting states gives an energy gap 2Δ=0.423meV and shows that this is a superconductor having s-wave character or isotropic energy gap. On the basis of our experimental data other important physical parameters are also derived

Amino acids in the 308°C deep-sea hydrothermal system of the Suiyo Seamount, Izu-Bonin Arc, Pacific Ocean

Deep-sea hydrothermal systems are of significant interest as a new scientific frontier in a number of fields. This report analyzes data obtained in ocean-drilling surveys at submarine hydrothermal vents on the Suiyo Seamount in the Izu-Bonin Arc, Pacific Ocean. These surveys obtained direct data regarding subjacent extreme environments under extreme conditions of 308°C and greater than 14 MPa. Evaluation of the vertical distribution and stereochemistry of amino acids in such a vigorous hydrothermal system leads to a model of deep-sea subterranean chemistry and biology that describes a lack of evidence of abiotically synthesized amino acids. Large enantiomeric excesses of L-form amino acids supported the existence of a vigorous subjacent microbial oasis in a hydrothermal system