In-field film antitranspirants application shows potential yield protection from flowering 1 stage drought periods in winter canola (Brassica napus L.)

Crop-management solutions that simulate plant water-saving strategies might help to mitigate drought damage in crops. Winter canola (Brassica napus L.) is significantly drought-sensitive from flowering to mid-pod development, and drought periods lead to significant yield losses. In this study, the drought-protection efficacy of different chemicals with antitranspirant activity applied just before key drought-sensitive phenological stages was tested on field-grown canola in two years. Drought was artificially imposed with rain shelters. The results suggest that in-field application of 1 L ha–1 of antitranspirant (Vapor Gard (VG), a.i. di-1-p-menthene) at GS6.0 (BBCH growth scale, initiation of flowering) mitigated drought-induced yield loss leading to a 22% seed-yield benefit on average over 2 years of experiments compared with the unsprayed unirrigated plots. No significant yield responses were found from application at GS7.0, with increasing VG concentrations (i.e. 2 and 4 L ha–1), or with an antitranspirant with short-lasting effectiveness. The data suggest that in field conditions where drought occurs during the flowering stage, application of 1 L ha–1 of VG just before the drought event can reduce yield loss. This result should encourage further work on water-saving management strategies during key drought-sensitive phenological stages as drought mitigation tools in canola and under different environments

A Fourier transform infrared trace gas and isotope analyser for atmospheric applications

Concern in recent decades about human impacts on Earth's climate has led to the need for improved and expanded measurement capabilities of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In this paper we describe in detail an in situ trace gas analyser based on Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy that is capable of simultaneous and continuous measurements of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>), methane (CH<sub>4</sub>), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide (N<sub>2</sub>O) and <sup>13</sup>C in CO<sub>2</sub> in air with high precision. High accuracy is established by reference to measurements of standard reference gases. Stable water isotopes can also be measured in undried airstreams. The analyser is automated and allows unattended operation with minimal operator intervention. Precision and accuracy meet and exceed the compatibility targets set by the World Meteorological Organisation – Global Atmosphere Watch for baseline measurements in the unpolluted troposphere for all species except <sup>13</sup>C in CO<sub>2</sub>. <br><br> The analyser is mobile and well suited to fixed sites, tower measurements, mobile platforms and campaign-based measurements. The isotopic specificity of the optically-based technique and analysis allows its application in isotopic tracer experiments, for example in tracing variations of <sup>13</sup>C in CO<sub>2</sub> and <sup>15</sup>N in N<sub>2</sub>O. We review a number of applications illustrating use of the analyser in clean air monitoring, micrometeorological flux and tower measurements, mobile measurements on a train, and soil flux chamber measurements

Assessing direction-specific adaptation using the steady-state visual evoked potential: Results from EEG source imaging

Studying directional selectivity using neuroimaging in humans is difficult because the resolution is insufficient to directly access directionally selective activity. Here we used motion adaptation of the steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) and source imaging in the frequency domain to detect brain areas that contain direction-selective cells. This study uses a definitive electrophysiological marker for direction-specific adaptation in the SSVEP to localize cortical areas that are direction selective. It has been shown previously that an oscillating stimulus produces an SSVEP response that is dominated by even harmonics of the stimulus frequency. This pattern of response is consistent with equal population responses to each direction of motion. Prolonged exposure to unidirectional motion induces an asymmetry in the population response that is consistent with adaptation of direction-selective cells. This asymmetry manifests itself in the presence of odd harmonic components after adaptation Critically, the feature that indicates the direction used for adaptation is the phase of the odd-harmonic responses. We recorded this signature of direction selectivity in a group of observers whose retinotopic visual areas had been defined from fMRI mapping. We find direction-specific responses throughout retinotopic cortex, with the largest effect in areas V1 (occipital pole) and V3/V3a (dorsal)

Rising CO2 from historical concentrations enhances the physiological performance of Brassica napus seedlings under optimal water supply but not under reduced water availability

The productivity of many important crops is significantly threatened by water shortage, and the elevated atmospheric CO2 can significantly interact with physiological processes and crop responses to drought. We examined the effects of three different CO2 concentrations (historical ~300 ppm, ambient ~400 ppm and elevated ~700 ppm) on physiological traits of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) seedlings subjected to well-watered and reduced water availability. Our data show (1) that, as expected, increasing CO2 level positively modulates leaf photosynthetic traits, leaf water-use efficiency and growth under non-stressed conditions, although a pronounced acclimation of photosynthesis to elevated CO2 occurred; (2) that the predicted elevated CO2 concentration does not reduce total evapotranspiration under drought when compared with present (400 ppm) and historical (300 ppm) concentrations because of a larger leaf area that does not buffer transpiration; and (3) that accordingly, the physiological traits analysed decreased similarly under stress for all CO2 concentrations. Our data support the hypothesis that increasing CO2 concentrations may not significantly counteract the negative effect of increasing drought intensity on Brassica napus performance

はじめに : 人文社会科学研究科研究プロジェクト報告書第237集『起業家教育に関する実践的研究』

千葉大学大学院人文社会科学研究科研究プロジェクト報告書第237集『起業家教育に関する実践的研究』 藤川 大祐 編“A Practical Study About Entrepreneurship education Report on Research Project No.23

A scoping review of psychoeducational interventions for people after transient ischemic attack and minor stroke

Background: Psychoeducation can provide information and support to cope with the physical and emotional effects of a health condition. This scoping review aimed to identify the evidence regarding psychoeducational interventions for people after a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) and minor stroke. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO) were searched for articles on interventions related to psychoeducational support post TIA and minor/mild stroke. Search retrieved 3722 articles. Three reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, full-texts, and then extracted data for included studies. Study quality was assessed using the JADAD scale. TIDieR checklist was used to describe interventions. Results: Fifteen RCTs were included. Twelve studies were of high quality (JADAD score ≥2), two were low quality. A total of 1500 participants were recruited across the studies. Definition of TIA and minor stroke were unclear, leading to the exclusion of several studies. Various interventions were included, including education/psychoeducation (n=4); exercise and lifestyle advice (n=3); telephone-based education/counselling (n=3); secondary prevention education (n=1); motivational interviewing (n=2); self-management (n=2). Interventions were inconsistently described, with information missing about who delivered it and tailoring. Conclusions: Definitions of stroke severity are not adequately reported. There are variety of interventions including education about a range of stroke-specific topics. Many interventions are not adequately defined, thus making it difficult to determine if the aim was to provide information or support to promote self-management and wellbeing post TIA/minor stroke. There is a need for a more in-depth systematic review to develop a clear definition of psychoeducation