Matching Capital Investment Management with Business Strategy

Most competitive strategic theory employs the assumption that firms should undertake appropriate management actions for each particular strategy. Studies in managerial accounting also use this to examine how the practice of business management fits the firm’s strategy. This paper clarifies how the consistency between a firm’s business strategy and investment management efforts affects business performance. We employ a mail survey of Japanese manufacturing firms conducted in 2009 to identify Miles–Snow strategic types among respondent firms and test hypotheses concerning the effects of the interaction between investment management and firm strategic tendencies on firm performance, as measured by the return on assets. We find that investment management for Defender-type firms corresponds with traditional managerial accounting methods such as planning and control, while that for Prospector-type firms does not

Maternal exposure to nanoparticulate titanium dioxide during the prenatal period alters gene expression related to brain development in the mouse

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nanotechnology is developing rapidly throughout the world and the production of novel man-made nanoparticles is increasing, it is therefore of concern that nanomaterials have the potential to affect human health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal exposure to nano-sized anatase titanium dioxide (TiO₂) on gene expression in the brain during the developmental period using cDNA microarray analysis combined with Gene Ontology (GO) and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms information.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Analysis of gene expression using GO terms indicated that expression levels of genes associated with apoptosis were altered in the brain of newborn pups, and those associated with brain development were altered in early age. The genes associated with response to oxidative stress were changed in the brains of 2 and 3 weeks old mice. Changes of the expression of genes associated with neurotransmitters and psychiatric diseases were found using MeSH terms.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Maternal exposure of mice to TiO₂nanoparticles may affect the expression of genes related to the development and function of the central nervous system.</p

Study on roles of anaplerotic pathways in glutamate overproduction of Corynebacterium glutamicum by metabolic flux analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Corynebacterium glutamicum </it>has several anaplerotic pathways (anaplerosis), which are essential for the productions of amino acids, such as lysine and glutamate. It is still not clear how flux changes in anaplerotic pathways happen when glutamate production is induced by triggers, such as biotin depletion and the addition of the detergent material, Tween 40. In this study, we quantitatively analyzed which anaplerotic pathway flux most markedly changes the glutamate overproduction induced by Tween 40 addition.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We performed a metabolic flux analysis (MFA) with [1-¹³C]- and [U-¹³C]-labeled glucose in the glutamate production phase of <it>C. glutamicum</it>, based on the analysis of the time courses of ¹³C incorporation into proteinogenic amino acids by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The flux from phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) to oxaloacetate (Oxa) catalyzed by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPc) was active in the growth phase not producing glutamate, whereas that from pyruvate to Oxa catalyzed by pyruvate carboxylase (Pc) was inactive. In the glutamate overproduction phase induced by the addition of the detergent material Tween 40, the reaction catalyzed by Pc also became active in addition to the reaction catalyzed by PEPc.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It was clarified by a quantitative ¹³C MFA that the reaction catalyzed by Pc is most markedly increased, whereas other fluxes of PEPc and PEPck remain constant in the glutamate overproduction induced by Tween 40. This result is consistent with the previous results obtained in a comparative study on the glutamate productions of genetically recombinant Pc- and PEPc-overexpressing strains. The importance of a specific reaction in an anaplerotic pathway was elucidated at a metabolic level by MFA.</p

軟体動物における貝殻形成の発生メカニズムと進化

学位の種別:課程博士University of Tokyo(東京大学

Small sensor probe for measuring plasma waves in space Space science

Background: Since conventional one-point observations of plasma phenomena in space cannot distinguish between time and spatial variations, the missions on the basis of multiple-point observations have become the trend. We propose a new system for multiple-point observation referred to as the monitor system for space electromagnetic environments (MSEE). Findings: The MSEE consists of small sensor probes that have a capability to measure electromagnetic waves and transfer received data to the central station through wireless communication. We developed the prototype model of the MSEE sensor probe. The sensor probe includes a plasma wave receiver, the microcontroller, the wireless communication module, and the battery in the 75-mm cubic housing. In addition, loop antennas, dipole antennas, and actuators that are used for expanding dipole antennas are attached on the housing. The whole mass of the sensor probe is 692 g, and the total power consumption is 462 mW. The sensor probe can work with both inner battery and external power supply. The maximum continuous operation time on battery power is more than 6 h. We verified the total performance for electric field measurements by inputting signal to preamplifier. In this test, we found that analog components had enough characteristics to measure electric fields, and the A/D conversion and the wireless transmission worked correctly. In the whole performance for electric fields, the sensor probe has equivalent noise level of - 135 dBV/m/√Hz. Conclusions: We succeed in developing the prototype model of the small sensor probe that had enough sensitivity for electric field to measure plasma waves and the ability to transfer observation data through wireless communication. The success in developing the small sensor probe for the measurement of plasma waves leads to the realization of the multiple-point observations using a lot of small probes scattered in space