Composition of photosynthetic products in Lake Biwa, Japan; vertical and seasonal changes and their relation to environmental factors

The seasonal and vertical changes in photosynthetic productswere determined in Lake Biwa, which is the largest lake in Japan,by combined ¹³C and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (¹³C-GC-MS).The temperature dependence of the production rates differedamong organic compounds. The seasonal change in the proteinspecific production rate (SPR) showed a strong temperature dependence,indicating that photoplankton growth rate was primarily governedby water temperature. In August and September, low protein SPRwas, however, observed, probably due to low inorganic nitrogenconcentration. Nitrogen deficiency in the late stagnation periodwas also suggested by high C:N ratios both in paniculate matterand photosynthetic products. The glucose SPR did not show anysignificant correlation with water temperature, irradiance andinorganic nitrogen concentration. Highly variable glucose SPRmight be due to high turnover of glucose, and vertical mixingin the mixed surface layer may be one of the most importantfactors causing variability of glucose SPR.     

Chromosomal Assignment of Short cDNA Sequences by PCR Using Overlapping and Tailed Short Primers

Overlapping primers and tailed short primers are effective agentsfor mapping very short cDNA sequences. By using such primers,human cDNAs as short as 32 nucleotides in length can producePCR bands. Using these and other primers of ordinary size, 44cDNAs were assigned to chromosomes, of which 24 were assignedto single chromosomes, and 2 were assigned to two chromosomesand two were assigned to three chromosomes, respectively. Amongthe 24 cDNAs, all of which matched GenBank entries, 6 cDNAswere observed to map to the same chromosomes as reported previously.     

A Survey of Attitudes of Local Citizens of a Residential Area Toward Urban Stray Cats in Japan

This study surveyed the attitudes of local residents living in an urban area in Japan toward stray cats. An anonymous questionnaire asked local residents (359 houses) about their attitudes toward stray cats. Responses were received from126 houses (35%). Answers about nuisance, respondents' actions, and actions to be taken with regard to stray cats did not differ by place or type of residence of respondents. More than one third (36.7 ± 16.6%) of the respondents answered that the “bad smell of the feces and urine” was a nuisance. Respondents who lived in detached houses tended to like cats compared with those who lived in condominiums. Respondents who liked cats took care of cats more frequently, whereas those who disliked cats chased cats away and prevented their intrusion into their houses and land. However, it is noteworthy that one third or more (minimum value: 37.8%) of respondents of all kinds answered that neutering is one effective way to suppress the population of stray cats.     

Nitrogen budget in the euphotic zone of Lake Biwa from spring to summer, 1986

The production rate of participate nitrogen (PN) in Lake Biwafrom March to June 1986 was calculated by monthly measurementsof the proteinaceous nitrogen production rates. The ‘new’production rate was estimated from the decrease in nitrate inthe euphotic zone; during this period (91 days) it was estimatedas 93 mg atoms m^–2, and accounted for 20% of the ‘total’PN production (460 mg atoms m^–2). This implies that {smalltilde}80% of the PN produced might be recycled in the euphoticzone. The increase in PN in the euphotic zone during this period(27 mg atoms m^–2) accounted for 5.9% of the ‘total’PN production. This indicates that the remaining 14% of PN producedin the euphotic zone was vertically transported. Sediment trapexperiments at 30 m depth indicate that 8.1% of the PN producedin the euphotic zone was measured as downward flux at 30 m depthduring the stagnation period. Decompositional loss of PN between12.5 (bottom of the euphotic zone) and 30 m depth was estimatedas 17 mg atoms m^–2. This was calculated on the basis ofaccumulation of ammonium, which accounted for 3.7% of the ‘total’PN production. The flux from the euphotic zone thus accountedfor 12% of the ‘total’ PN production, suggestingthe validity of the production model.     

Effects of high-temperature treatment on two essential light processes and an intervening dark process in photoinduced pileus primordium formation of a basidiomycete,Favolus arcularius

The photoinduced formation of pileus primordia inFavolus arcularius involves two essential light processes and an inserting dark process. The nature of these elementary proceses in epileate stipes was examined by the use of high temperature under a 1-h light-7-h dark-continuous light regimen. Epileate stipes were exposed to a temperature treatment of 37°C for 15 min after the beginning of pileus primordium formation, which disrupted the photomorphogenetic progress without any after-effects. When high temperature was applied in the first light process or the early phase of the dark process, it completely voided the established career. A temperature-sensitive key dark reaction may have occurred in the period of 0–2 h. When high temperature was applied during the late phase of the dark period, it caused only a delay in pileus primordium, formation, suggesting that the high temperature might only retard the progression of the dark morphogenetic reaction in this period. In addition, the early phase of the second light process was effectively disrupted by the use of high temperature, but sensitivity to high temperature gradually decreased with the progress of pileus differentiation.     

Synthesis of l-3, 4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine from l-Tyrosine by Microorganisms

l-3, 4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine can be synthesized efficiently from l-tyrosine under acidic conditions by Aspergillus oryzae and other fungi.     

Function of Tongue-Playing of Cattle in Association With Other Behavioral and Physiological Characteristics

To study the function of tongue-playing of cattle, this study observed 71 Japanese Black × Holstein steers after feeding in 2 repetitive experiments. The number of steers who performed tongue-playing did not differ among the 3 levels of environmentally enriched pens. Most (90.6%) performances of tongue-playing terminated within 20 min. Frequency of tongue-playing positively correlated with the frequency of resting (r = 0.25, p < .05). Frequency of eating was lower in tongue-playing steers (n = 40) than in non-tongue-playing steers (n = 31; p < .05). Frequencies of self-grooming (p < .05), ruminating (p < .05), and lying ruminating (p < .01) were higher in tongue-playing steers. Plasma dopamine concentration was lower in tongue-playing steers (p < .05). In conclusion, tongue-playing that lasts only for a short time after feeding was induced by behavioral features of steers who rest more and eat hay less at the same time as they perform grooming and ruminating.     

Gallyas-Schiff Stain for Senile Plaques

Gallyas technique was modified by a direct application of Schiff's reagent after physical development, resulting in distinctive staining of amyloid deposits in argyrophilic structures. With this modified method, senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease are clearer. This method is easy to perform and suitable for routine neuropathol-ogical examination.