A STUDY ON THE EFFECTS OF VIEWING ANGLE VARIATION IN SUGARCANE RADIOMETRIC MEASURES

Remote Sensing techniques, such as field spectroscopy provide information with a large level of detail about spectral characteristics of plants enabling the monitoring of crops. The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of viewing angle in estimating the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) for the case of sugarcane. The study on the variation of the spectral reflectance profile can help the improvement of algorithms for correction of BRDF in remote sensing images. Therefore, spectral measurements acquired on nadir and different off-nadir view angle directions were considered in the experiments. Change both anisotropy factor and anisotropy index was determined in order to evaluate the BRDF variability in the spectral data of sugarcane. BRDF correction was applied using the Walthall model, thus reducing the BRDF effects. From the results obtained in the experiments, the spectral signatures showed a similar spectral pattern varying mainly in intensity. The anisotropy factor which showed a similar pattern in all wavelengths. The visual analysis of the spectral reflectance profile of sugarcane showed variation mainly in intensity at different angles. The use of Walthall model reduced the BRDF effects and brought the spectral reflectance profiles acquired on different viewing geometry close to nadir viewing. Therefore, BRDF effects on remote sensing data of vegetation cover can be minimized by applying this model. This conclusion contributes to developing suitable algorithms to produce radiometrically calibrated mosaics with remote sensing images taken by aerial platforms

Neural Basis of Psychological Growth following Adverse Experiences: A Resting-State Functional MRI Study

Over the past decade, research on the aftereffects of stressful or traumatic events has emphasized the negative outcomes from these experiences. However, the positive outcomes deriving from adversity are increasingly being examined, and such positive changes are described as posttraumatic growth (PTG). To investigate the relationship between basal whole-brain functional connectivity and PTG, we employed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and analyzed the neural networks using independent component analysis in a sample of 33 healthy controls. Correlations were calculated between the network connectivity strength and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) score. There were positive associations between the PTGI scores and brain activation in the rostral prefrontal cortex and superior parietal lobule (SPL) within the left central executive network (CEN) (respectively, r = 0.41, p < 0.001; r = 0.49, p < 0.001). Individuals with higher psychological growth following adverse experiences had stronger activation in prospective or working memory areas within the executive function network than did individuals with lower psychological growth (r = 0.40, p < 0.001). Moreover, we found that individuals with higher PTG demonstrated stronger connectivity between the SPL and supramarginal gyrus (SMG). The SMG is one of the brain regions associated with the ability to reason about the mental states of others, otherwise known as mentalizing. These findings suggest that individuals with higher psychological growth may have stronger functional connectivity between memory functions within the CEN and social functioning in the SMG, and that their better sociality may result from using more memory for mentalizing during their daily social interactions

Expression in E. coli of finger-domain lacking tissue-type plasminogen activator with high fibrin affinity

AbstractTissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) has a high affinity for fibrin and induces lysis of fibrin (fibrinolysis) on the surface of fibrin without degrading circulating fibrinogen. cDNA for t-PA which lacks the ‘fingerdomain’ (the site for fibrin affinity) was isolated from Detroit 562 cells. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed a lack of the sequences which code for the finger-domain. A plasmid (pDPAT 1) containing the Escherichia coli tac promoter/operator and the cDNA sequence coding for ‘finger-domain lacking t-PA’ was constructed for expression in E. Coli. The polypeptide so produced was a new type of t-PA lacking finger-domain, but revealed plasminogen activator activity with the function of fibrin affinity.Tissue-type plasminogen activatorFinger-domainFibrin affinityPlasmid E. coli tac promoter/operatorDetroit 562 cel

Spontaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Submandibular Gland in a Rat

At necropsy, a white nodule (about 5 × 3 mm in size) was observed in the right submandibular gland of a 10-week-old female GALAS rat. Histopathologically, oval to spindle-shaped and pale basophilic tumor cells proliferated closely, and formed variably sized foci. The nodule partially spread into or invaded the surrounding normal tissue, and necrotic foci were recognized in the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the nuclei of the tumor cells showed a diffusely positive reaction for p63, and the cytoplasm showed a diffusely positive reaction for cytokeratin and negative reaction for αSMA, vimentin, desmin and S-100. Many tumor cells were positive for PCNA. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells contained many tonofilaments in the cytoplasm and a few desmosomes at the intercellular portion. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as a basal cell carcinoma originating from the duct in the rat submandibular gland

大阪府における暑さ対策の現状分析

Due to global warming and the heat island effect, temperatures are rising, and this is having a negative impact on people’s lives. Therefore, it is necessary to take measures against heat and its effects. The purpose of the study is to analyze actual measures implemented at a local level, in order to understand their effectiveness in large urban areas and to consider further responses. As an example of an urban area, Osaka Prefecture was chosen. This research investigated the specific heat countermeasures taken there, their effects, and the efforts of Osaka Prefectural government. In addition, 31 sites were identified as examples of current heat countermeasures in Osaka Prefecture. A comparison was made between the current situation and the policies for heat countermeasures according to the local characteristics of each type of thermal environment map, and proposals for the future given.原著論

南丹市美山地区におけるエコツーリズムの現状と課題

Ecotourism is a travel system carried out for the purpose of environmental preservation, environmental education, economic promotion, and tourism promotion. What is indispensable for ecotourism is “Eco Tour”. Ecotour is a tour conducted by the definition of ecotourism, accompanied by a guide to explain the nature, culture, history etc. appropriately during the course. The eco tour guide, has roles of promoting environmental conservation education, grasping current condition of the tour target area, and being a successor as maintenance and management. In 2007 the Ecotourism Promotion Act was established in Japan and in 2014 the Nantan City Miyama Ecotourism Council was designated as the sixth ecotourism promotion organization in the country. This study was discussed about the current situation and problems in Miyama ecotourism and Advanced land of eco-tourism and challenges in the future of eco-tourism promotion.研究ノー