238 research outputs found

    Non-separable splines and numerical computation of evolution equations by the Galerkin methods

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    AbstractWe construct new non-separable splines and we apply the spline sampling approximation to the computation of numerical solutions of evolution equations. The non-separable splines are basis functions which give a fine sampling approximation which enables us to compute numerical solutions by means of the method of lines combined with the Galerkin method. To demonstrate our approach we compute numerical solutions of the Burgers equation and the Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation

    Fish assemblages associated with three types of artificial reefs: density of assemblages and possible impacts on adjacent fish abundance

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    We evaluated the effectiveness of wooden artificial reefs (ARs) as fish habitat. Three types of ARs, made of cedar logs, broadleaf tree logs, and PVC pipes, respectively, were deployed in triplicate at 8-m depth off Maizuru, Kyoto Prefecture, Sea of Japan, in May 2004. Fish assemblages associated with each of the nine ARs were observed by using SCUBA twice a month for four years. Fish assemblages in the adjacent habitat were also monitored for two years before and four years after reef deployment. In the surveyed areas (ca. 10 m2) associated with each of the cedar, broadleaf, and PVC ARs, the average number of fish species was 4.14, 3.49, and 3.00, and the average number of individuals was 40.7, 27.9, and 20.3, respectively. The estimated biomass was also more greater when associated with the cedar ARs than with other ARs. Visual censuses of the habitat adjacent to the ARs revealed that the number of fish species and the density of individuals were not affected by the deployment of the ARs. Our results support the superiority of cedar as an AR material and indicate that deployment of wooden ARs causes no reduction of fish abundance in adjacent natural reefs

    CpG Methylation in the Hexamerin 110 Gene in the European Honeybee, Apis mellifera

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    The European honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), has a full set of machinery for functional CpG methylation of its genome. A recent study demonstrated that DNA methylation in the honeybee is involved in caste differentiation. In this study, the expression and methylation of the hexamerin 110 gene (Hex110), which encodes a storage protein, was analyzed. High levels of the Hex110 transcript were expressed in both worker and queen larvae. Low levels of this transcript were also detected in adult fat bodies, and the expression level was higher in the queen than in the worker. Bisulfite sequencing revealed that the Hex110 gene is overall methylated at a low level, with a limited number of CpG sites methylated at relatively high levels. These highly methylated sites were exclusively located in the exon regions. The average methylation rate of the Hex110 gene was higher in the adult stage than in the larval stage. Furthermore, several CpG sites were differentially methylated between the worker and queen larvae. These observations suggest that the methylation of the Hex110 gene is regulated at the developmental stage and in a caste-dependent manner

    Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Sulfonylative Desymmetrization of Glycerol

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    Glycerol is the main side product in the biodiesel manufacturing process, and the development of glycerol valorization methods would indirectly contribute the sustainable biodiesel production and decarbonization. Transformation of glycerol to optically active C3 units would be one of the attractive routes for glycerol valorization. We herein present the asymmetric sulfonylative desymmetrization of glycerol by using a CuCN/(R,R)-PhBOX catalyst system to provide an optically active monosulfonylated glycerol in high efficiency. A high degree of enantioselectivity was achieved with a commercially available chiral ligand and an inexpensive carbonate base. The optically active monosulfonylated glycerol was successfully transformed into a C3 unit attached with differentially protected three hydroxy moieties. In addition, the synthetic utility of the present reaction was also demonstrated by the transformation of the monosulfonylated glycerol into an optically active synthetic ceramide, sphingolipid E

    The genotype-dependent phenotypic landscape of quinoa in salt tolerance and key growth traits

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    スーパー作物キヌアの多様性を解明 --高い環境適応性と優れた栄養特性をもつキヌアの品種改良に期待--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2020-10-15.Cultivation of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), an annual pseudocereal crop that originated in the Andes, is spreading globally. Because quinoa is highly nutritious and resistant to multiple abiotic stresses, it is emerging as a valuable crop to provide food and nutrition security worldwide. However, molecular analyses have been hindered by the genetic heterogeneity resulting from partial outcrossing. In this study, we generated 136 inbred quinoa lines as a basis for the molecular identification and characterization of gene functions in quinoa through genotyping and phenotyping. Following genotyping-by-sequencing analysis of the inbred lines, we selected 5, 753 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the quinoa genome. Based on these SNPs, we show that our quinoa inbred lines fall into three genetic sub-populations. Moreover, we measured phenotypes, such as salt tolerance and key growth traits in the inbred quinoa lines and generated a heatmap that provides a succinct overview of the genotype–phenotype relationship between inbred quinoa lines. We also demonstrate that, in contrast to northern highland lines, most lowland and southern highland lines can germinate even under high salinity conditions. These findings provide a basis for the molecular elucidation and genetic improvement of quinoa and improve our understanding of the evolutionary process underlying quinoa domestication

    Strain gauge basedsensor for real-time truck freightmonitoring

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    This study aims to develop a weight monitoring sensor for trucks used in sugarcane harvesting. Finite element simulation of the behavior of the load of harvested sugarcane in the bin acting on the truck chassis was established. The position of the weight sensors was determined based on the stress distribution results. The weight sensors were then designed and constructed. A testing unit representing the truck chassis was constructed for calibration of the weight sensors. The results showed that sensors should be installed on the chassis at 180 mm above the rear wheel mounting position, where the maximum stress was 7.64 MPa. The designed weight sensor consisted of four strain gauges attached to the end of two 30 mm diameter bolts. All strain gauges were wired into a Wheatstone bridge circuit (full bridge). A linear relationship between the signals from the sensor and weight was found for weights greater than 1000 N. The weight of sugarcane can be monitored during harvest to do yield mapping and support the combine while it harvests the field

    The QT Intervals in Infancy and Time for Infantile ECG Screening for Long QT Syndrome

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    Background: Electrocardiographic and molecular studies have clarified an association between sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and long QT syndrome (LQTS), and few data are available for the QT interval in infancy from birth to 1 year of age. Appropriate time of electrocardiographic screening is not clarified. Medical examinations during infancy are mandatory in Japan.Methods and Results: The study population included 1,058 infants. Electrocardiograms were collected with information of infants at birth and at examination. The QT intervals of three consecutive beats were measured in lead V5. Statistical analysis revealed that the following formula was appropriate to minimize the effect of heart rate for infants: corrected QT interval; QTc = QT interval/RR interval 0.43. Subjects were divided into four groups as follows: 0–2, 3–6, 6–11, and 12–52 weeks of age. Tukey's multiple comparison showed that the QTc intervals were longest (p < 0:0001) in subjects who were 6–11 weeks of age.Conclusions: The QTc interval showed the highest peak at 6-11 weeks of age in infancy. The peak period of occurrence of SIDS is at approximately 2 months of age. An appropriate time of electrocardiographic screening for QT prolongation will be one month of age, and follow-up studies are needed
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