Effect of Controlled-release Fertilizer and Root-proof Capillary Wick Addition to Root-zone on Tomato Growth and Yield

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of controlled-release fertilizers and wick addition to the root-zone on plant growth and yield of medium-fruit sized tomato up to the 18(th) truss in long-term forcing culture. The set-up consisted of a box partitioned by a board into two halves, named box 1 and box 2. Box 1 contained 2.8 ℓ of growth medium (soil : bark : perlite : peat=2 : 2 : 1 : 1). Plant was grown in box 1 with a capillary wick, and at flowering of the 8(th) truss, the partition was removed and box 2 filled with 2.8 ℓ of the medium. There were two treatments, with or without capillary wick in box 2, namely, single wick (S) and double wicks (D). Plant height was greater in D than S in January, and the difference increased gradually thereafter. Flowering time of 18(th) truss in D was 10 days earlier and decapitated shoot weight was twice that of S. Fruit yield per plant was 8 kg in S and 9 kg in D with similar value of Brix and titratable acidity. There was no difference between S and D in dry root weight (7g/plant) or in xylem exudates (8ml/h), while in S in April plant growth was inferior, leaf color yellow greenish and fruit colour uneven towards the end of growth of plants. Xylem sap analysis showed that NO(3)-N was 10 me/ℓ in S and 6 me/ℓ in D. This concentration is weaker than that of Enshi standard nutrient solution generally used in hydroponics. These results suggest that application of controlled-release fertilizers and wick addition to box 2 with root-zone extended was effective for plant growth performance and fruit yield.中玉トマト18段摘心の長期促成栽培における肥効調節型肥料の適用と生育途中の根域拡張に伴う「紐」適用が生育と果実収量に及ぼす効果を調べた．栽培容器は可動仕切り板で2つに仕切り区画当たり容量は2.8ℓとし，第8段花房開花時に仕切り板をはずして5.6ℓ（1st Box＋2nd Box）とした．試験区は2区で2nd Boxに紐を配置しない1本区と2nd Boxにもう１本を配した2本区である．2本区の草丈は1月以降，1本区に比べ高く推移し第18段花房の開花日が約10日早まり，成長の指標とした摘心時の茎頂部新鮮重も1本区の2倍となった．1株の果実収量は1本区で8kg，2本区で9kgとなり果実の糖度，酸度には両区間に差はなかった．栽培終了時の根の乾物重と茎切断面から採取した木部いっ泌液は両区間に差はなかったが，両区とも栽培終期の4月には生育が衰え葉色は黄緑色で果実の着色も不均一であった．木部いっ泌の成分分析ではNO(3)-N濃度が1本区で10me/ℓ，2本区で6me/ℓであり，これらの濃度は一般に養液栽培に使用される園試標準濃度よりも低かった．以上の結果から，第8段花房開花時に仕切りを開放し新区画への土壌と肥料ならびに紐の新たな適用は，生育安定と収量確保に効果的に作用することが明らかとなった．しかし，紐の有無にかかわらず生育後期の生育が不良となったことから，今後は施肥設計の面から，とくにNO(3)-NとSO(4)-Sの両面から検討する必要があると考察した

Stereoisomer-dependent conversion of dinaphthothienothiophene precursor films

Soluble precursor materials of organic semiconductors are employed for fabricating solution-processable thin film devices. While the so-called precursor approach has already been tried for various organic electronic devices such as transistors and solar cells, understanding of the conversion process in the film lags far behind. Here, we report that molecular aggregation of the precursor compound significantly influences the thermal conversion reaction in the film. For this study, two stereoisomers of a dinaphthothienothiophene (DNTT) precursor that are the endo- and exo-DNTT-phenylmaleimide monoadducts are focused on. The structural change during the thermal conversion process has been investigated by a combination of infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The results show that the endo-isomer is readily converted to DNTT in the film by heating, whereas the exo-isomer exhibits no reaction at all. This reaction suppression is found to be due to the self-aggregation property of the exo-isomer accompanying the intermolecular C–H⋯O interactions. This finding shows a new direction of controlling the on-surface reaction, as well as the importance of analyzing the film structure at the initial stage of the reaction

Preparatory study for the synthesis of the starfish alkaloid imbricatine. Syntheses of 5-arylthio-3-methyl-L-histidines

Chiral syntheses of 3-methyl-5-(phenylthio)-L-histidine (8a) and 3-methyl-5-(1-naphthalenylthio)-L-histidine (8b), selected as models for the asteroid alkaloid imbricatine (7), have been accomplished through a 10-step route starting from 4(5)-bromoimidazole (9). The key steps involved were methylation of 9, hydroxymethylation of 4-bromo-1-methyl-1H-imidazole (11), replacement of the 4-bromo group by an arylthio group in the aldehyde 14, and introduction of a chiral α-amino acid moiety into the chlorides 17a and 17b by the \u27bis-lactim ether\u27 method. The synthesis of the 4-(4-methoxybenzyl)thio analogue 17c, carried out in a similar manner, concluded formal syntheses of ovothiols A and C (1 and 3)

Fluorescence properties of aromatic amine adsorbed on metallic and semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been enriched by 1-aminopyrene treatment of the mildly oxidized SWNTs due to removal of metallic SWNTs having a higher affinity for 1-aminopyrene. The enrichment was caused by the differences in the adsorption properties of 1-aminopyrene on the metallic and semiconducting SWNTs. The fluorescence properties of 1-aminopyrene adsorbed on the metallic and semiconducting SWNTs have been investigated in order to clarify its adsorption mechanism. 1-Aminopyrene was adsorbed on the metallic SWNTs through the interaction of the amino group with the graphene surface and through a hydrogen bonding interaction between the amino group and the carboxyl group on the graphene surface. On the other hand, in the case of semiconducting SWNTs, 1-aminopyrene was adsorbed through a pi-pi interaction on the graphene surface in addition to the hydrogen bonding interaction with the carboxyl groups.ArticleJOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY A-CHEMISTRY. 218(2-3):226-230 (2011)journal articl

Operation-Microscope-Mounted Touch Display Tablet Computer for Intraoperative Imaging Visualization

OBJECTIVE: The authors have developed a novel sterile draped touch display solution for convenient intraoperative access to imaging data. This study describes the technology and clinical experience of the system. METHODS: We developed a flexible, mounted touch display solution (Apple iPad) that allows fixation of the display on the operation microscope and fine adjustments during surgery when the microscope is moved. We compared this setup with a conventional wall-mounted flat-panel and a mobile display stand in illustrative cases of vestibular schwannoma. RESULTS: The surgeon was able to employ the system without the need to leave the operation field or the need for external assistance while referring to imaging data. Commanding through imaging data with sterile gloves on the touch display was more convenient, more precise, and faster compared with other modalities. CONCLUSION: The operation-microscope-mounted touch display provides useful assistance for intraoperative imaging visualization in neurosurgical procedures.ArticleWORLD NEUROSURGERY. 77(2):381-383 (2012)journal articl

Ocular Hypotensive Effect of ONO-9054, an EP3/FP Receptor Agonist: Results of a Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Dose Escalation Study

Purpose: To assess pharmacodynamic and safety profiles of ONO-9054 following single and multiple day dosing in subjects with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma. Materials and Methods: This was a phase I, single-center, randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled dose-escalation study. Nine subjects were randomized to each of ONO-9054 3, 10, 20, 30 μg/mL and 12 to placebo. Subjects received a single drop to each eye at 07:00±30 minutes (single dose). Following a 4-day no-treatment period, subjects were dosed once daily for 14 consecutive days (multiple day dosing). Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured regularly and compared with baseline measurements. Ocular examinations assessed safety and tolerability. Results: Mean IOP decreased dose dependently. Following single dosing, IOP decreased from 22.9±4.0 to 15.9±2.3 mm Hg (ONO-9054, 30 μg/mL) at peak effect 9 hours postdose; the reduction in placebo-treated subjects was from 22.3±2.4 to 21.5±3.3 mm Hg. Following multiple day dosing, the greatest reduction in IOP occurred 1 hour postdose on day 18, from 23.3±0.6 to 15.1±2.4 mm Hg (ONO-9054, 10 μg/mL); the smallest reduction at this time was from 23.9±0.8 to 18.6±2.0 mm Hg (ONO-9054, 3 μg/mL). Pressures remained reduced on day 19, 25 hours after the last dose, when the lowest measurement was 15.8±2.1 mm Hg (ONO-9054, 10 μg/mL). Anterior uveitis and vitreous detachment were each reported in 2 subjects and considered moderate by the Investigator. Ocular hyperemia and tolerability symptoms were generally mild and transient. Conclusions: ONO-9054 was well-tolerated and elicited dose-dependent reductions in IOP, which were sustained for at least 24 hours following 2 weeks of consecutive daily dosing

Hemodynamic Analysis of a Microanastomosis Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

[Background] Technical issues in free flap transfer, such as the selection of recipient vessels and the positioning and method of anastomosis of the vascular pedicle, have been the subject of vigorous debate. Recent developments in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have enabled the analysis of blood flow within microvessels. In this study, CFD was used to analyze hemodynamics in a microanastomosis. [Methods] In the fluid calculation process, the fluid domain modelizes microvessels with anastomosis. The inlet flow conditions were measured as venous waveform, and the fluid is simulated as blood. Streamlines (SL), wall shear stress (WSS), and oscillatory shear index (OSI) at the anastomosis were visualized and analyzed for observing effects from the flow field. [Results] Some flow disruption was evident as the SL passed over the sutures. The maximum recorded WSS was 13.37 Pa where the peak of a suture was exposed in the lumen. The local maximum value of the OSI was 0.182, recorded at the base of the anastomosis on the outflow side. [Conclusion] In the ideal anastomosis, the SL is disrupted as little as possible by the sutures. The WSS indicated that thrombus formation is unlikely to occur at suture peaks, but more likely to occur at the base of sutures, where the OSI is high. Tight suture knots are important in microanastomosis