Effect of the muscle nanostructure changes during post-mortem aging on tenderness of different beef breeds

Soji, Zimkhitha Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.11

Objective: Tenderness is a very complex feature, and the process of its formation is very complicated and not fully understood. Its diversification is one of the most important problems of beef production, as a result beef aging is widely used to improve tenderness as it is believed to provide a homogeneous product to consumers. While few studies have evaluated the muscle structure properties in relation to tenderness from early post-mortem, there little to no information available on how the muscle nanostructure of beef carcasses changes during post-mortem ageing to determine the appropriate aging time for acceptable tenderness. Methods: Muscle nanostructure (myofibril diameter [MYD], myofibril spacing [MYS], muscle fibre diameter [MFD], muscle fibre spacing [MFS], and sarcomere length [SL]), meat tenderness and cooking loss [CL]) were measured on 20 A2 longissimus muscles of Bonsmara, Beefmaster, Hereford, and Simbra at 45_mins, 1, 3, and 7 days post-slaughter. Muscle nanostructure was measured using a scanning electron microscope, while tenderness was measured using Warner Bratzler shear force. Results: At 45 minutes post-slaughter, breed affected MYD and MYS only, while at 24_hrs it also affected MFD and MFS. On day 3 breed effected MFS and SL, while on day 7 breed effected tenderness only. As the muscles matured, both MYD and MYS decreased while CL increased, and the muscles became tender. There was no uniformity on muscle texture features (surface structure, fibre separation, muscle contraction, and relaxation) throughout the ageing period. Conclusion: Meat tenderness can be directly linked to breed related myofibril structure changes during aging in particular the MYD, spacing between myofibrils and their interaction; while the MFD, spacing between muscle fibres, SL, and CL explain the non-uniformity in beef tenderness.

Sparkover Voltage Estimation of Standard Sphere Gaps for Negative Polarity by Calculation of Ionization Index

Yasuo Nishikori,Soji Kojima,Teruya Kouno 대한전기학회 2004 KIEE International Transactions on Electrophysics Vol.4C No.2

Sparkover Voltage Estimation of Standard Sphere Gaps for Negative Polarity by Calculation of Ionization Index

Nishikori, Yasuo,Kojima, Soji,Kouno, Teruya The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2004 KIEE International Transactions on Electrophysics Vol.4C No.2

The field utilization factor (equation omitted) (the mean electric field / the maximum electric field) of standard sphere gaps was calculated by the charge simulation method, taking into account the ground plane and shanks. n changes mainly with g/r and slightly with 1$_1$, 1$_2$ and 1, where D=2r is the sphere diameter, g is the gap length, 1$_1$ and 1$_2$, respectively, are the lengths of the upper and lower shank, and t is the shank diameter. Generally, (equation omitted) increases as 1$_1$,1$_2$ and t each becomes larger. IEC standard 60052(2002) limits t$\leq$0.2D 1$_1$$\geq$1D and prescribes A=1$_2$+D+g where A is the height of the spark point on the upper sphere. Therefore, (equation omitted) is the largest when A=9D and the smallest when A=3D. The simple equation of a straight line, (equation omitted)=1- (g/3r), can generally be used as a representative value of (equation omitted) for a wide variety of sphere diameters that are permitted by the IEC standard. The maximum electric field E$_{m}$ at sparkover of standard air gaps has also been calculated by the relation E$_{m}$=V/(equation omitted)g). E$_{m}$ describes a U-curve for g/r, up to the sphere diameter of 1 m. Moreover, for 1.5-m and 2-m diameters and especially .for negative polarity, sparkover voltages have been calculated by integration of the ionization index.index.

1 인 미디어 창작자를 위한 딥러닝 기반 작곡 어플리케이션

김보경 ( Bogyung Kim ),윤소지 ( Soji Yun ),이승희 ( Seunghee Lee ),임예진 ( Yejin Lim ),유견아 ( Kyeonah Yu ),임성현 ( Sunghyun Lim ) 한국정보처리학회 2021 한국정보처리학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.28 No.2

1 인 미디어 산업의 성장으로 다양한 콘텐츠 제작의 증가와 함께 영상의 분위기를 좌우하는 BGM 의 수요도 급증하고 있다. 그러나 무료 음원은 한정되어 있으며 이미 많은 영상에 쓰여 시청자에게 흔한 느낌을 준다. 특히 MCN 에 소속되지 않은 콘텐츠 크리에이터들은 개성 있고 영상에 어울리는 음원 확보에 어려움을 겪고 있다. 본 연구는 이러한 콘텐츠 제작 환경을 개선하기 위해 창작자가 직접 녹음하거나 악보를 스캔해 자신만의 음원을 제작할 수 있는 웹 애플리케이션 ‘플랫’을 제안한다. 본 연구를 통해 콘텐츠 크리에이터들은 독창적이고 풍성한 콘텐츠를 만들 수 있으며, 음악적 숙련도와 관계없이 쉽게 음원을 만들 수 있어 작곡에 대한 접근성이 좋아질 것으로 보인다. 또한, 딥러닝을 활용해 음악을 창작함으로써 인공지능 작곡 분야를 활성화하고 디지털 음악시장의 새로운 분야를 개척하는 데 이바지할 것으로 기대한다.

Sketch-based Solid Prototype Modeling System with Dual Data Structure of Point-set Surfaces and Voxels

Takeuchi, Ryota,Watanabe, Taichi,Yamakawa, Soji Society for Computational Design and Engineering 2011 International Journal of CAD/CAM Vol.11 No.1

This paper proposes a new solid-shape modeling system based on a lusterware-image illustration. The proposed method reconstructs a three dimensional solid shape from a set of rough sketches that are typically drawn in the early stages of the design process. The sketches do not have to be strictly accurate, and this tolerance to the roughness of the input sketches is one of the major advantages of the proposed method. The proposed system creates an initial shape based on the silhouette of the input lusterware-images. Then the user can edit the initial shape with intuitive cutting and dishing-up operations, which are based on sketching user interface. To achieve the goal, the system retains the geometric model with two representations: a point-set data and a volume data. This dual data structure allows the program to create an initial shape from the input images with little computational cost, and the user can apply cutting and dishing-up operations without substantially increasing computational and memory requirements. In this research, we have tested the proposed system by reconstructing solid models of some mechanical parts from rough sketches. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method is useful for the prototyping of a solid shape.

A KAP1 phosphorylation switch controls MyoD function during skeletal muscle differentiation

Singh, Kulwant,Cassano, Marco,Planet, Evarist,Sebastian, Soji,Jang, Suk Min,Sohi, Gurjeev,Faralli, Hervé,Choi, Jinmi,Youn, Hong-Duk,Dilworth, F. Jeffrey,Trono, Didier Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press 2015 Genes & development Vol.29 No.5

<P>The transcriptional activator MyoD serves as a master controller of myogenesis. Singh et al. identify KAP1/TRIM28 as a key regulator of MyoD function. In myoblasts, KAP1 is present with MyoD and Mef2 at many muscle genes, where it acts as a scaffold to recruit not only coactivators such as p300 and LSD1 but also corepressors such as G9a and HDAC1, with promoter silencing as the net outcome. Upon differentiation, MSK1-mediated phosphorylation of KAP1 releases the corepressors from the scaffold, unleashing transcriptional activation by MyoD/Mef2 and their positive cofactors.</P><P>The transcriptional activator MyoD serves as a master controller of myogenesis. Often in partnership with Mef2 (myocyte enhancer factor 2), MyoD binds to the promoters of hundreds of muscle genes in proliferating myoblasts yet activates these targets only upon receiving cues that launch differentiation. What regulates this off/on switch of MyoD function has been incompletely understood, although it is known to reflect the action of chromatin modifiers. Here, we identify KAP1 (KRAB [Kréééüppel-like associated box]-associated protein 1)/TRIM28 (tripartite motif protein 28) as a key regulator of MyoD function. In myoblasts, KAP1 is present with MyoD and Mef2 at many muscle genes, where it acts as a scaffold to recruit not only coactivators such as p300 and LSD1 but also corepressors such as G9a and HDAC1 (histone deacetylase 1), with promoter silencing as the net outcome. Upon differentiation, MSK1-mediated phosphorylation of KAP1 releases the corepressors from the scaffold, unleashing transcriptional activation by MyoD/Mef2 and their positive cofactors. Thus, our results reveal KAP1 as a previously unappreciated interpreter of cell signaling, which modulates the ability of MyoD to drive myogenesis.</P>

Synthesis of a Tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulene by a “Fold‐In” Oxidative Fusion Reaction

Chen, Fengkun,Hong, Yong Seok,Shimizu, Soji,Kim, Dongho,Tanaka, Takayuki,Osuka, Atsuhiro WILEY‐VCH Verlag 2015 Angewandte Chemie Vol.127 No.36

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Tetrabenzotetraaza[8]circulene (<B>1</B>) has been synthesized in good yield by a “fold‐in” oxidative fusion reaction of a 1,2‐phenylene‐bridged cyclic tetrapyrrole. X‐ray diffraction analysis of <B>1</B> has revealed a planar square structure with a central cyclooctatetraene (COT) core that shows little alternation of the bond lengths. Despite these structural features, <B>1</B> shows aromatic‐like character, such as sharp absorption bands, high fluorescence quantum yields (<I>Φ</I><SUB>F</SUB>=0.55 in THF), and a single exponential fluorescence decay with <I>τ</I><SUB>F</SUB>=3.8 ns. These observations indicate a dominant contribution of an [8]radialene‐like π conjugation and hence aromatic character of the local aromatic segments in <B>1</B>.</P>

Solvent- and temperature-dependent conformational changes between H?ckel antiaromatic and M?bius aromatic species in meso-trifluoromethyl substituted [28]hexaphyrins.

Yoon, Min-Chul,Kim, Pyosang,Yoo, Hyejin,Shimizu, Soji,Koide, Taro,Tokuji, Sumito,Saito, Shohei,Osuka, Atsuhiro,Kim, Dongho American Chemical Society 2011 The Journal of physical chemistry B Vol.115 No.50

<P>We investigated the photophysical properties of figure-eight-like meso-hexakis(trifluoromethyl) [26]- and [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) denoted as TFM26H and TFM28H, respectively, using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy along with theoretical calculations to explore their electronic and magnetic natures depending on their molecular aromaticity. TFM26H exhibited a well-resolved absorption feature and intense fluorescence, both of which were neither solvent- nor temperature-dependent. These optical properties were in agreement with its H?ckel's [4n + 2] aromaticity as observed in typical aromatic porphyrinoids. The S(1)-state lifetime of ~50 ps for TFM26H in solution was shorter than those in planar aromatic hexaphyrins (>100 ps) presumably due to nonplanar figure-eight geometry of TFM26H. However, TFM28H exhibited remarkable changes in solvent- and temperature-dependent absorption spectra as well as excited-state lifetimes indicating that a dynamic equilibrium occurs between the two conformational species. With the help of quantum mechanical geometry optimization and vertical excitation energy calculations, we found that the figure-eight double-sided conformer observed in the solid-state and single-sided distorted one could be the best candidates for the two conformers, which should be H?ckel antiaromatic and M?bius aromatic species, respectively, based on their optical characteristics, molecular orbital structures, and excited-state lifetimes. Conformational dynamics between these two conformers of TFM28H was scrutinized in detail by temperature-dependent (1)H NMR spectra in various solvents, which showed that the conformational equilibrium was quite sensitive to solvents and that a conformational change faster than the NMR time-scale occurs even at 173 K.</P>

Role of Gap Junctions in the Endothelium-Dependent Hyperpolarization of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Yoshimichi Yamamoto,Megan F. Klemm,Hikaru Hashitani,Richard J. Lang,Tsuyoshi Soji.,Hikaru Suzuki 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2001 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.5 No.1

<P> Hyperpolarization of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholine is considered to be produced by the release of an unidentified chemical substance, an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Several chemicals have been proposed as the candidate for EDHF. However, none of them fulfil completely the nature and property of EDHF. Ultrastructural observation with electron microscope reveals that in some arteries, gap junctions are formed between endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In small arterioles, injection of gap junction permeable dyes into an endothelial cell results in a distribution of the dye to surrounding cells including smooth muscle cells. These observations allow the speculation that myoendothelial gap junctions may have a functional significance. Simultaneous measurement of the electrical responses in both endothelial and smooth muscle cells using the double patch clamp method demonstrates that these two cell types are indeed electrically coupled, indicating that they behave as a functional syncytium. The EDHF-induced hyperpolarization is produced by an activation of Ca<SUP>2⁢</SUP>-sensitive K<SUP>⁢</SUP>-channels that are inhibited by charybdotoxin and apamin. Agonists that release EDHF increase [Ca<SUP>2⁢</SUP>]<SUB>i</SUB> in endothelial cells but not in smooth muscle cells. Inhibition of gap junctions with chemical agents abolishes the agonist- induced hyperpolarization in smooth muscle cells but not in endothelial cells. All these observations can be explained if EDHF is an electrotonic signal propagating from endothelium to smooth muscle cells through gap junctions.

Distribution pattern and prevalence of West Nile virus infection in Nigeria from 1950 to 2020: a systematic review

Idris Nasir Abdullahi,Anthony Uchenna Emeribe,Peter Elisha Ghamba,Pius Omoruyi Omosigho,Zakariyya Muhammad Bello,Bamidele Soji Oderinde,Samuel Ayobami Fasogbon,Lawal Olayemi,Isa Muhammad Daneji,Muhamm 한국역학회 2020 Epidemiology and Health Vol.42 No.-

OBJECTIVES: West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging mosquito-borne viral infection. This study investigated the pooled prevalence pattern and risk factors of WNV infection among humans and animals in Nigeria. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of eligible studies published in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science from January 1, 1950 to August 30, 2020. Peer-reviewed cross-sectional studies describing WNV infections in humans and animals were systematically reviewed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Cochrane Q statistic. RESULTS: Eighteen out of 432 available search output were eligible and included for this study. Of which 13 and 5 were WNV studies on humans and animals, respectively. Although 61.5% of the human studies had a low risk of bias, they all had high heterogeneity. The South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria had the highest pooled prevalence of anti-WNV immunoglobulin M (IgM; 7.8% in humans). The pooled seroprevalence of anti-WNV IgM and immunoglobulin G (IgG) was 7.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.9 to 8.3) and 76.5% (95% CI, 74.0 to 78.8), respectively. The WNV RNA prevalence was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.4 to 2.9), while 14.3% (95% CI, 12.9 to 15.8) had WNV-neutralizing antibodies. In animals, the pooled seroprevalence of anti-WNV IgM and IgG was 90.3% (95% CI, 84.3 to 94.6) and 3.5% (95% CI, 1.9 to 5.8), respectively, while 20.0% (95% CI, 12.9 to 21.4) had WNV-neutralizing antibodies. Age (odds ratio [OR], 3.73; 95% CI, 1.87 to 7.45; p<0.001) and level of education (no formal education: OR, 4.31; 95% CI, 1.08 to 17.2; p<0.05; primary: OR, 7.29; 95% CI, 1.80 to 29.6; p<0.01) were significant risk factors for WNV IgM seropositivity in humans. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study highlight the endemicity of WNV in animals and humans in Nigeria and underscore the need for the One Health prevention and control approach.