Brassinolide induces stem growth of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica Forsk.)

This report is a preliminary study to clarify the effects of exogenous brassinolide (BL) on the stem tissue growth of water spinach. Local varieties in Taiwan were used for the indoor experiments. The clones were propagated and grown under fluorescent lamps for plant growth, and the clones with 5 leaves were cut off and grown in a water culture for 7 days. Distilled water was used for diluting the concentration of BL, and the BL concentrations used were 0, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 ppb (w/v). Each clone was cultured in 80 ml of the water solution. The plant height and stem diameter at the centre of the first internode above the point of cutting were measured after 5 days of treatment. The stem diameter and pith thickness increased significantly as the BL concentration in the water culture increased, whereas the cortex thickness was not affected by the BL concentration. The cavity diameters in the 5 and 10 ppb plots were significantly larger than those in the other plots. There was no significant difference in plant height among the treatments, although the plant height tended to be higher with increasing BL concentration.Article信州大学農学部AFC報告 11（1-2）: 1-4(2013)departmental bulletin pape

Method to determine argon metastable number density and plasma electron temperature from spectral emission originating from four 4p argon levels

A simple model and method is proposed here to determine argon metastable number densities and electron temperature with the assumption of a Maxwell-Boltzmann electron energy distribution. This method is based on the availability of experimental relative emission intensities of only four argon lines that originate from any of the 4p argon levels. The proposed model has a relatively wide range of validity for laboratory plasmas that contain argon gas and can be a valuable tool for the emerging field of atmospheric microplasmas, for which diagnostics is still limited

Regulatory T Cell Immunity in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder involving innate and adaptive immunity process. Effector T cell (Teff) responses promote atherosclerotic disease, whereas regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to play a protective role against atherosclerosis by down-regulating inflammatory responses which include multiple mechanisms. Compelling experimental data suggest that shifting the Treg/Teff balance toward Tregs may be a possible therapeutic approach for atherosclerotic disease, although the role of Tregs in human atherosclerotic disease has not been fully elucidated. In this review, we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the roles of Tregs and Teffs in experimental atherosclerosis, as well as human coronary artery disease

An Adaptive Load Frequency Control Based on Least Square Method

Modern power system becomes a complex system consisted with various load and power stations. Therefore, it may spread into some areas of power system in neighborhood, and so a load frequency control (LFC) is a necessity device to regulate the frequency of the power system by distributing the load to the generating units and controlling tie-line power interchange between areas. The integration of renewable energy sources (RES) into a power grid has presented important issues about stability and security of power system. In such conditions, the use of conventional LFC may not be sufficient to protect the power system against the power changes. In this chapter, an adaptive LFC controller is proposed using the least square method (LSM). The controller adopts an internal model control (IMC) structure in two scenarios, i.e., static controller gain with adaptive internal model and both the adaptive controller gain and adaptive internal model. A two-area power system is used to test and to validate both performance and the effectiveness of this controller through some case studies

Risk Factors for Severe Dysphagia after Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancers

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for dysphagia induced by chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers. Forty-seven patients with head and neck cancers who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy from December 1998 to March 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Median age was 63 years (range, 16-81). The locations of the primary lesion were as follows: larynx in 18 patients, oropharynx in 11, nasopharynx in 7, hypopharynx in 7 and others in 4. Clinical stages were as follows: Stage II in 20 and Stages III-IV in 27. Almost all patients underwent platinum-based concomitant chemoradiotherapy. The median cumulative dose of cisplatin was 100 mg/m(2) (range, 80-300) and median radiation dose was 70 Gy (range, 50-70). Severe dysphagia (Grade 3-4) was observed in 22 patients (47%) as an acute toxic event. One patient required tube feeding even at 12-month follow-up. In univariate analysis, clinical stage (III-IV) (P = 0.017), primary site (oro-hypopharynx) (P = 0.041) and radiation portal size (> 11 cm) (P < 0.001) were found to be associated with severe dysphagia. In multivariate analysis, only radiation portal size was found to have a significant relationship with severe dysphagia (P = 0.048). Larger radiation portal field was associated with severe dysphagia induced by chemoradiotherapy.ArticleJAPANESE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY. 39(7):413-417 (2009)journal articl

Validation of the Total Dysphagia Risk Score (TDRS) as a predictive measure for acute swallowing dysfunction induced by chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers

Background and purpose: Methods for predicting acute swallowing dysfunction in patients with head and neck cancers undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy have not been established. We investigated the validity of the Total Dysphagia Risk Score (TDRS) as a predictive measure for this morbidity. Materials and methods: Forty-seven patients with head and neck cancers who underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy between December 1998 and March 2006 were reviewed retrospectively. Median age was 63 years (range, 16-81). Almost all patients underwent platinum-based concomitant chemoradiotherapy. Factors of the TDRS were as follows: T-classification, neck irradiation, weight loss, primary tumour site and treatment modality. Patients were classified into three risk groups according to the TDRS. Results: Swallowing dysfunction was observed in 27 patients (57%) as RTOG grade 2 or higher acute morbidity. This classification was significantly associated with grade 2 or higher acute swallowing dysfunction (P = 3) acute swallowing dysfunction was similarly obtained. Conclusion: The TDRS is a useful tool to predict acute swallowing dysfunction induced by chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers.ArticleRADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY. 97(1):132-135 (2010)journal articl

Effects of fruit skin and water temperature during soaking before germination on the emergence rates of common buckwheat

The studies focused effects of the presence of fruit skin (hull or pericarp) and water temperature during water soaking before germination on the emergence rates of common buckwheat (Fagophyrum esculentum Moench) after seeding. We aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying the poor emergence rates that have been observed after water flooding before germination. Shinano No.1 was exposed to water soaking treatments at temperatures of 10,15,20, or 25℃ for 3 days. After soaking, the seeds were grown at 20℃, and the percentages of emerged seedlings were investigated 7 days after seeding. Dehulled seeds and normal seeds were soaked for 4 days at 25℃, and the contents of dissolved oxygen were measured in the water. The emergence rates of normal intact seeds (fruits)decreased significantly (p＜0.01)with an increase in soaking water temperature before germination. The emergence rates of dehulled seeds improved after removing the fruit skin, and it reached 70%,even at 25℃.Soaking treatment for 96 h at 25℃ decreased the emergence rates of normal seeds and dehulled seeds. The emergence rate of normal seeds was significantly lower than that of dehulled seeds (p＜0.001). Moreover, there was no difference in the emergence rates of dehulled seeds between plots with or without daily water replacement. The contents of dissolved oxygen in the water at 25℃ did not differ between normal seeds and dehulled seeds after 50h. These results suggested that high temperatures affected embryo viability and that the relative mechanical resistance of the fruit skin on the embryo directly affected the seed emergence rate.Article信州大学農学部AFC報告 13: 113-118 (2015)departmental bulletin pape

Influence of organic fertilizer on rhizome yield and α-tocopherol content of Codonopsis lanceolata

Codonopsis lanceolata (Sieb. et Zucc.) Trautv. is a valuable wild vegetable in East Asian countries, especially Korea. We investigated effects of organic fertilizer application on rhizome yield and quality under Andosol soil conditions in the AFC field of Shinshu University. Commercial barnyard manure, which was fermented with crushed bark and beef cattle dung, and Japanese oak leaf mold were applied at the rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g m-2. Barnyard manure increased the fresh weight yield of rhizomes but decreased the DL-α-tocopherol (vitamin E) content. The rhizome yield was drastically influenced by the C/N ratio of the soil from the surface to 30 cm below ground level that was controlled by the application ratio of barnyard manure to leaf mold. Total N, soluble P, exchangeable K, Ca, and Mg did not significantly affect the rhizome yield. There was a significant negative correlation between the rhizome fresh weight and vitamin E content at harvest time. The highest vitamin E content of 9-10 mg 100 g-1 dry matter was obtained at a leaf mold application rate of 10 g m-1. Nitrogen supply from the soil to plants primarily influenced the yield and quality of rhizomes as vegetables or drugs. The vitamin E content under a higher soil C/N ratio was the highest among commercial vegetables available in common Japanese food markets.Article信州大学農学部AFC報告 10: 1-7(2012)departmental bulletin pape

Measurement of persistence in YAG:Ce3+ scintillator with pulsed synchrotron X-rays

The decay time of YAG:Ce3+ scintillator was estimated to be 60 ns by using a fast CMOS camera and synchrotron bunches