Effects of Rising Temperature on Grain Quality and Palatability of Rice Cultivars

The effects of high temperatures on grain quality and palatability of cooked rice of four rice cultivars were examined in a temperature gradient chamber (TGC). Experimental plots going from TG1 (near the air intake side) to TG3 (near the air exhaust side) along the temperature gradient in TGC, corresponding to low and high temperature, and an open field plot (outside of TGC) were arranged. The mean and maximum air-temperatures in TG3 were 3.6℃ and 7.2℃ higher, respectively, than those in TG1. Brown rice yield per m2 in the outside was the highest, and those in the TGC plots were lower than outside in all cultivars. This yield decline was due to the decrease in the percentage of ripened spikelets. The increase in the percentage of sterile spikelets due to high temperatures in Nikomaru and Akimasari was larger than that in Hinohikari and Akebono. The yield difference among TGC plots was not significant. High temperature increased the white berry grains and white back grains in Hinohikari and Akebono, respectively. The overall eating quality (＋3 to －3) in the outside was in the order of Nikomaru (0.56) ＞Akimasari (0.50)＞Hinohikari (0.00)＞Akebono (－0.06). The overall eating quality in TG3 was lower than outside, especially in the quality of appearance. However, the decreasing degrees of appearance quality in Nikomaru and Akimasari were smaller than those in Hinohikari and Akebono. The protein content of milled rice in TG3 (6.0−7.8%) was higher than that in the outside (8.6−10.4%) in all cultivars. The increase in protein content by higher temperature was in the order of Akebono (4.4%)＞Hinohikari (1.9%)＝Akimasari (1.9%)＝Nikomaru (0.8%). In terms of grain quality, the cultivation of new cultivars, Nikomaru and Akimasari are recommended when air temperature exceeds normal years. However, yield reductions in Nikomaru and Akimasari caused by high temperatures were larger than those in the conventional cultivars, Hinohikari and Akebono.岡山県平野部の主要水稲品種は，中生のヒノヒカリ，晩生のアケボノである．近年，夏期の高温障害が原因とされる乳白米，腹白米などのいわゆる白未熟粒の発生による玄米外観品質の低下が顕著となっており，その回避技術やより高品質，良食味品種の選択など，さまざまな対策が検討されている．このような背景のもと，1996年に九州地方において多収，良食味の観点から「にこまる」，「あきまさり」が育成された．にこまるはヒノヒカリと同等の熟期で極良食味であることに加えて，玄米外観品質が優れ，高温下における白未熟粒の発生が少ない品種である．一方あきまさりは，アケボノと同等の熟期で，ヒノヒカリ並みの食味を有する品種である．すなわち，これら２品種をヒノヒカリ，アケボノに替わる品種として導入することにより，より良食味で高品質米の生産が可能であると考えられる．著者らは，水田および畑圃場に温度勾配チャンバー（TGC）を設置し，温暖化による気温上昇を想定した作物（水稲，ダイズ，冬コムギ）の生産性を評価してきた．水稲（品種：日本晴）では，気温上昇によって不稔籾の増加することで減収となること，白未熟粒の発生によって玄米外観品質が低下することを報告した．また，気温上昇下での米飯の食味についても検討したが，その品種間差については検討を行っていない．本研究では，水田内に設置した TGC を用いて，移植から収穫に至る生育期間全体の気温上昇が，水稲４品種の収量，玄米外観品質，米飯の食味におよぼす影響の品種間差異を検討した

Caracterización de suelos contaminados por actividad minera informal en el centro poblado Los Huertos de Río Seco, distrito de Carabayllo, provincia de Lima

Caracteriza y analiza elemental y mineralógicamente, los relaves y suelos agrícolas aledaños a la actividad minera del Centro poblado “Los Huertos de Río Seco. La investigación de suelos agrícolas contaminados con metales pesados por causa de actividades mineras es un tema de gran interés para los investigadores relacionados al estudio del medio ambiente, ya que dichos suelos contaminados, producen impactos significativos en el ecosistema y en la salud humana. En consecuencia, el trabajo de esta investigación ha tomado como marco de estudio a una de las actividades antropogénicas más contaminantes que se da en el sector minero (con referencia a los metales pesados). Esta actividad, es la minería artesanal aun no formalizada o llamada también minería ilegal. Asimismo, se ha descrito que los metales pesados son elementos químicos que exhiben propiedades metálicas en la mayoría de sus casos y que, al reaccionar fisicoquímicamente con otros componentes del suelo, en ciertas condiciones ambientales, producen indicadores negativos en el ecosistemaTesi

Mitral valve repair in patient with absent right superior vena cava in visceroatrial situs solitus

We report on a 74-year-old woman with an absence of right superior vena cava in visceroatrial situs solitus who underwent mitral valve plasty for severe mitral regurgitation. Preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography revealed an absent right and persistent left superior vena cava that drained into the right atrium by way of the coronary sinus. Perioperaively, placement of pulmonary artery catheter, site of venous cannulation, and management of associated rhythm abnormalities were great concern. Obtaining the information about this central venous malformation preoperatively, we performed mitral valve plasty without any difficulties related to this anomaly

Estimation equation for the evaluation of the health status of middle-aged and elderly individuals based on the results of physical fitness tests: a proposal for use as an initial screening test

This study prepared an estimation equation for the evaluation of health status of middle-aged and elderly males and females on the basis of physical fitness tests easily performed at fitness facilities not equipped to conduct medical checkups. The participants were 2,096 males and females aged 30 to 69 years. All participants underwent medical checkups and physical fitness tests, which, based on the judgment of a medical doctor, determined categorization into two groups; namely, a healthy group and an unhealthy group. Multiple discriminant analysis was applied to prepare an estimation equation, and correct discriminant probabilities were used to evaluate the validity of the equation. Physical fitness variables selected for the equations were height, weight, body mass index, percent body fat, grip strength, one leg balance with eyes closed, reaction time, sit-ups, Vo2max, and age. The correct discriminant probabilities of discriminant functions obtained for males and females were 66.5 % to 76.6 % and 62.7 % to 76.4 %, respectively. This suggested that health status could be evaluated with relatively high accuracy by the estimation equation derived from the physical fitness test. The equation presented in this study as an initial screening test is useful in the practical field of exercise instruction for the promotion and maintenance of health in middle-aged and elderly individuals

Two Cases of Severe Degeneration of the Macula Following Vitrectomy with Indocyanine Green-Assisted Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling for Idiopathic Macular Hole

We describe three eyes of two cases of severe degeneration of the macula following vitrectomy with indocyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling for idiopathic macular hole. We need to remember the possibility of these complications and have to select the procedures that are safest to use for macular hole surgery

Phosphorylation of proteins and apoptosis induced by c-Jun N-terminal kinase1 activation in rat cardiomyocytes by H2O2 stimulation

AbstractCytokines and various cellular stresses are known to activate c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK1), which is involved in physiological function. Here, we investigate the activation of JNK1 by oxidative stress in H9c2 cells derived from rat cardiomyocytes. H2O2 (100 μM) significantly induces the tyrosine phosphorylation of JNK1 with a peak 25 min after the stimulation. The amount of JNK1 protein remains almost constant during stimulation. Immunocytochemical observation shows that JNK1 staining in the nucleus is enhanced after H2O2 stimulation. To clarify the physiological role of JNK1 activation under these conditions, we transfected antisense JNK1 DNA into H9c2 cells. The antisense DNA (2 μM) inhibits JNK1 expression by 80% as compared with expression in the presence of the sense DNA, and significantly blocks H2O2-induced cell death. Consistent with the decrease in cell number, we detected condensation of the nuclei, a hallmark of apoptosis, 3 h after H2O2 stimulation in the presence of the sense DNA for JNK1. The antisense DNA of JNK1 inhibits the condensation of nuclei by H2O2. Under these conditions, the H2O2-induced phosphorylation of proteins with molecular masses of 55, 72, and 78 kDa is blocked by treatment with the antisense DNA for JNK1 as compared with the sense DNA for JNK1. These findings suggest that JNK1 induces apoptotic cell death in response to H2O2, and that the cell death may be involved in the phosphorylations of 55, 72, and 78 kDa proteins induced by JNK1 activation

Fabrication of Planar Power Inductor for Embedded Passives in LSI Package for Hundreds Megahertz Switching DC–DC Buck Converter

Recently, research and development of integrated low-voltage dc-dc converter to LSIs has been active. In order to realize such integrated dc power supply, power magnetic devices must be integrated in it. The authors have fabricated planar power inductor embedded in LSI package for hundreds megahertz switching dc-dc buck converter. In this study, two types of planar power inductors have been fabricated: one was spin-sprayed Zn-ferrite thick film magnetic core inductor, and the other was composite magnetic core (Fe-based amorphous/polyimide) inductor. Footprint of the fabricated inductors was 850 x 850 mu m(2), their inductance was about 10 nH, and the quality factor Q was about 20 at 100 MHz. The rating current which depends on the superimposed dc characteristic was at least up to 2 A.ArticleIEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MAGNETICS. 47(10):3204-3207 (2011)journal articl

Type IV collagen-degrading enzyme activity in human serum.

Type IV collagen-degrading enzyme activity was detected in human serum. Serum was preincubated with 4-aminophenylmercuric acetate and trypsin to activate the enzyme prior to assay. Type IV collagen, purified from human placentas and radiolabeled with [1-14C] acetic anhydride, was used as the substrate. The enzyme activity was measured at pH 7.5 and inhibited by treatment with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or heat. The assay of type IV collagen-degrading enzyme in human serum might be useful for estimating the degradation of type IV collagen.</p

Fabrication of Planar Power Inductor for Embedded Passives in LSI Package for Hundreds Megahertz Switching DC-DC Buck Converter

Recently, research and development of integrated low-voltage dc-dc converter to LSIs has been active. In order to realize such integrated dc power supply, power magnetic devices must be integrated in it. The authors have fabricated planar power inductor embedded in LSI package for hundreds megahertz switching dc-dc buck converter. In this study, two types of planar power inductors have been fabricated: one was spin-sprayed Zn-ferrite thick film magnetic core inductor, and the other was composite magnetic core (Fe-based amorphous/polyimide) inductor. Footprint of the fabricated inductors was 850 x 850 mu m(2), their inductance was about 10 nH, and the quality factor Q was about 20 at 100 MHz. The rating current which depends on the superimposed dc characteristic was at least up to 2 A.ArticleIEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MAGNETICS. 47(10):3204-3207 (2011)journal articl