Optical Method for Measuring Deposition Amount of Black Carbon Particles on Foliar Surface

Yamaguchi, Masahiro,Takeda, Kenta,Otani, Yoko,Murao, Naoto,Sase, Hiroyuki,Lenggoro, I. Wuled,Yazaki, Kenichi,Noguchi, Kyotaro,Ishida, Atsushi,Izuta, Takeshi Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment 2012 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.6 No.4

To perform quick measurements of black carbon (BC) particles deposited on foliar surfaces of forest tree species, we investigated an optical method for measuring the amount of BC extracted from foliar surfaces and collected on quartz fiber filters. The seedlings of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica were exposed to submicron BC particles for one growing season (1 June to 7 December 2009). At the end of the growing season, the leaves or needles of the seedlings were harvested and washed with deionized water followed by washing with chloroform to extract the BC particles deposited on the foliar surfaces. The extracted BC particles were collected on a quartz fiber filter. The absorption spectrum of the filters was measured by spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere. To obtain the relationship between the absorbance of the filter and the amount of BC particles on the filter, the amount of BC particles on the filter was determined as that of elemental carbon (EC) measured by a thermal optical method. At wavelengths below 450 nm, the absorption spectrum of the filter showed absorption by biological substances, such as epicuticular wax, resulting in the low coefficient of determination ($R^2$) in the relationship between the amount of EC on the filter ($M_{EC}$, ${\mu}g\;C\;cm^{-2}$ filter area) and the absorbance of the filter. The intercept of the regression line between $M_{EC}$ and the absorbance of the filter at 580 nm ($A_{580}$) was closest to 0. There was a significant linear relationship between the $A_{580}$ and $M_{EC}$ ($R^2$=0.917, p<0.001), suggesting that the amount of BC particles collected on the filter can be predicted from the absorbance. This optical method might serve as a simple, fast and cost-effective technique for measuring the amount of BC on foliar surfaces.

Effects of Long-term Exposure to Black Carbon Particles on Growth and Gas Exchange Rates of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica Seedlings

Masahiro Yamaguchi,Yoko Otani,Kenta Takeda,I. Wuled Lenggoro,Atsushi Ishida,Kenichi Yazaki,Kyotaro Noguchi,Hiroyuki Sase,Naoto Murao,Satoshi Nakaba,Kenichi Yamane,Katsushi Kuroda,Yuzou Sano,Ryo Funada 한국대기환경학회 2012 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.6 No.4

To clarify the effects of black carbon (BC) particles on growth and gas exchange rates of Asian forest tree species, the seedlings of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica were exposed to BC particles with sub-micron size for two growing seasons from 1 June 2009 to 11 November 2010. The BC particles deposited after the exposure to BC were observed on the foliar surface of the 4 tree species. At the end of the experiment, the amount of BC accumulated on the foliar surface after the exposure to BC aerosols were 0.13, 0.69, 0.32and 0.58 mg C m-2 total leaf area in F. crenata, C. sieboldii, L. kaempferi and C. japonica seedlings, respectively. In August 2010, the exposure to BC particles did not significantly affect net photosynthetic rate under any light intensity, stomatal diffusive conductance to water vapour (gs), stomatal limitation of photosynthesis,response of gs to increase in vapour pressure deficit and leaf temperature under light saturated condition in the leaves or needles of the seedlings. These results suggest that the BC particles deposited on the foliar surface did not reduce net photosynthesis by shading, did not increase leaf temperature by absorption of irradiation light, and did not induce plugging of stomata in the leaves or needles of the seedlings. There were no significant effects of BC particles on the increments of plant height and stem base diameter during the experimental period and the whole-plant dry mass at the end of the experiment. These results indicate that the exposure to BC particles with sub-micron size for two growing seasons did not significantly affect the growth and leaf or needle gas exchange rates of F. crenata, C. sieboldii,L. kaempferi and C. japonica seedlings. To clarify the effects of black carbon (BC) particles on growth and gas exchange rates of Asian forest tree species, the seedlings of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica were exposed to BC particles with sub-micron size for two growing seasons from 1 June 2009 to 11 November 2010. The BC particles deposited after the exposure to BC were observed on the foliar surface of the 4 tree species. At the end of the experiment, the amount of BC accumulated on the foliar surface after the exposure to BC aerosols were 0.13, 0.69, 0.32and 0.58 mg C m-2 total leaf area in F. crenata, C. sieboldii, L. kaempferi and C. japonica seedlings, respectively. In August 2010, the exposure to BC particles did not significantly affect net photosynthetic rate under any light intensity, stomatal diffusive conductance to water vapour (gs), stomatal limitation of photosynthesis,response of gs to increase in vapour pressure deficit and leaf temperature under light saturated condition in the leaves or needles of the seedlings. These results suggest that the BC particles deposited on the foliar surface did not reduce net photosynthesis by shading, did not increase leaf temperature by absorption of irradiation light, and did not induce plugging of stomata in the leaves or needles of the seedlings. There were no significant effects of BC particles on the increments of plant height and stem base diameter during the experimental period and the whole-plant dry mass at the end of the experiment. These results indicate that the exposure to BC particles with sub-micron size for two growing seasons did not significantly affect the growth and leaf or needle gas exchange rates of F. crenata, C. sieboldii,L. kaempferi and C. japonica seedlings.

Pomegranate Juice Inhibits Sulfoconjugation in Caco-2 Human Colon Carcinoma Cells

Ayako Saruwatari,Shigeaki Okamura,Yoko Nakajima,Yuji Narukawa,Tadahiro Takeda,Hiroomi Tamura 한국식품영양과학회 2008 Journal of medicinal food Vol.11 No.4

Several fruit juices have been reported to cause food–drug interactions, mainly affecting cytochrome P450 activity; however, little is known about the effects of fruit juices on conjugation reactions. Among several fruit juices tested (apple, peach, orange, pineapple, grapefruit, and pomegranate), pomegranate juice potently inhibited the sulfoconjugation of 1-naphthol in Caco-2 cells. This inhibition was both dose- and culture time-dependent, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) value calculated at 2.7% (vol/vol). In contrast, no obvious inhibition of glucuronidation of 1-naphthol in Caco-2 cells was observed by any of the juices examined. Punicalagin, the most abundant antioxidant polyphenol in pomegranate juice, was also found to strongly inhibit sulfoconjugation in Caco-2 cells with an IC50 of 45 μM, which is consistent with that of pomegranate juice. These data suggest that punicalagin is mainly responsible for the inhibition of sulfoconjugation by pomegranate juice. We additionally demonstrated that pomegranate juice and punicalagin both inhibit phenol sulfotransferase activity in Caco-2 cells in vitro, at concentrations that are almost equivalent to those used in the Caco-2 cells. Pomegranate juice, however, shows no effects on the expression of the sulfotransferase SULT1A family of genes (SULT1A1 and SULT1A3) in Caco-2 cells. These results indicate that the inhibition of sulfotransferase activity by punicalagin in Caco-2 cells is responsible for the reductions seen in 1-naphthyl sulfate accumulation. Our data also suggest that constituents of pomegranate juice, most probably punicalagin, impair the enteric functions of sulfoconjugation and that this might have effects upon the bioavailability of drugs and other compounds present in food and in the environment. These effects might be related to the anticarcinogenic properties of pomegranate juice.

Optical Method for Measuring Deposition Amount of Black Carbon Particles on Foliar Surface

Masahiro Yamaguchi,Kenta Takeda,Yoko Otani,Naoto Murao,Hiroyuki Sase,I. Wuled Lenggoro,Kenichi Yazaki,Kyotaro Noguchi,Atsushi Ishida,Takeshi Izuta 한국대기환경학회 2012 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.6 No.4

To perform quick measurements of black carbon (BC)particles deposited on foliar surfaces of forest tree species, we investigated an optical method for measuring the amount of BC extracted from foliar surfaces and collected on quartz fiber filters. The seedlings of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica were exposed to submicron BC particles for one growing season (1June to 7 December 2009). At the end of the growing season, the leaves or needles of the seedlings were harvested and washed with deionized water followed by washing with chloroform to extract the BC particles deposited on the foliar surfaces. The extracted BC particles were collected on a quartz fiber filter. The absorption spectrum of the filters was measured by spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere. To obtain the relationship between the absorbance of the filter and the amount of BC particles on the filter,the amount of BC particles on the filter was determined as that of elemental carbon (EC) measured by a thermal optical method. At wavelengths below 450nm, the absorption spectrum of the filter showed absorption by biological substances, such as epicuticular wax, resulting in the low coefficient of determination (R2) in the relationship between the amount of EC on the filter (MEC, μg C cm-2 filter area) and the absorbance of the filter. The intercept of the regression line between MEC and the absorbance of the filter at 580 nm (A580) was closest to 0. There was a significant linear relationship between the A580 and MEC (R2=0.917, p⁄0.001), suggesting that the amount of BC particles collected on the filter can be predicted from the absorbance. This optical method might serve as a simple, fast and cost-effective technique for measuring the amount of BC on foliar surfaces. To perform quick measurements of black carbon (BC)particles deposited on foliar surfaces of forest tree species, we investigated an optical method for measuring the amount of BC extracted from foliar surfaces and collected on quartz fiber filters. The seedlings of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica were exposed to submicron BC particles for one growing season (1June to 7 December 2009). At the end of the growing season, the leaves or needles of the seedlings were harvested and washed with deionized water followed by washing with chloroform to extract the BC particles deposited on the foliar surfaces. The extracted BC particles were collected on a quartz fiber filter. The absorption spectrum of the filters was measured by spectrophotometer with an integrating sphere. To obtain the relationship between the absorbance of the filter and the amount of BC particles on the filter,the amount of BC particles on the filter was determined as that of elemental carbon (EC) measured by a thermal optical method. At wavelengths below 450nm, the absorption spectrum of the filter showed absorption by biological substances, such as epicuticular wax, resulting in the low coefficient of determination (R2) in the relationship between the amount of EC on the filter (MEC, μg C cm-2 filter area) and the absorbance of the filter. The intercept of the regression line between MEC and the absorbance of the filter at 580 nm (A580) was closest to 0. There was a significant linear relationship between the A580 and MEC (R2=0.917, p⁄0.001), suggesting that the amount of BC particles collected on the filter can be predicted from the absorbance. This optical method might serve as a simple, fast and cost-effective technique for measuring the amount of BC on foliar surfaces.

Effects of Long-term Exposure to Black Carbon Particles on Growth and Gas Exchange Rates of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica Seedlings

Yamaguchi, Masahiro,Otani, Yoko,Takeda, Kenta,Lenggoro, I. Wuled,Ishida, Atsushi,Yazaki, Kenichi,Noguchi, Kyotaro,Sase, Hiroyuki,Murao, Naoto,Nakaba, Satoshi,Yamane, Kenichi,Kuroda, Katsushi,Sano, Yuz Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment 2012 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.6 No.4

To clarify the effects of black carbon (BC) particles on growth and gas exchange rates of Asian forest tree species, the seedlings of Fagus crenata, Castanopsis sieboldii, Larix kaempferi and Cryptomeria japonica were exposed to BC particles with sub-micron size for two growing seasons from 1 June 2009 to 11 November 2010. The BC particles deposited after the exposure to BC were observed on the foliar surface of the 4 tree species. At the end of the experiment, the amount of BC accumulated on the foliar surface after the exposure to BC aerosols were 0.13, 0.69, 0.32 and 0.58 mg C $m^{-2}$ total leaf area in F. crenata, C. sieboldii, L. kaempferi and C. japonica seedlings, respectively. In August 2010, the exposure to BC particles did not significantly affect net photosynthetic rate under any light intensity, stomatal diffusive conductance to water vapour ($g_s$), stomatal limitation of photosynthesis, response of $g_s$ to increase in vapour pressure deficit and leaf temperature under light saturated condition in the leaves or needles of the seedlings. These results suggest that the BC particles deposited on the foliar surface did not reduce net photosynthesis by shading, did not increase leaf temperature by absorption of irradiation light, and did not induce plugging of stomata in the leaves or needles of the seedlings. There were no significant effects of BC particles on the increments of plant height and stem base diameter during the experimental period and the whole-plant dry mass at the end of the experiment. These results indicate that the exposure to BC particles with sub-micron size for two growing seasons did not significantly affect the growth and leaf or needle gas exchange rates of F. crenata, C. sieboldii, L. kaempferi and C. japonica seedlings.

The Impact of 3D-CAD on New Product Development

Yaichi Aoshima,Kentaro Nobeoka,Yoko Takeda 한국경제발전학회 2004 經濟發展硏究 Vol.10 No.2

정보기술의 급속한 발전은 많은 제조업체의 신제품개발과정에 심대한 영향을 미쳤다. 본 연구의 초점인 3D-CAD 기술은 그러한 정보기술의 예이다. 최근의 3D-CAD는 제품의 모든 부분들을 디지털 데이터로서 정의하는 것을 가능하게 한다. 이것은 신제품이 개발되는 방식과 계발계획의 수행에 상당한 효과를 갖는다. 안전히 디지털화된 데이터는 컴퓨터에 의한 모의 실험을 가능하게 한디. 또한 상이한 개발 단계에서의 정보의 흐름과 전달을 간단하게 한다. 컴퓨터에 의해 직관적으로 이해되는 형태로 시각화된 디자인 정보는 특별한 훈련없이도 전방과 후방 단계의 기술자들의 초기협력을 강화한다. 이러한 모든 효과는 이론상으로 리드 타임과 엔지니어링 시간(lead-time and engineering hours)을 가소시키고 제품의 질을 향상시킨다. 그러나, 실제적으로는 기업은 그러한 이익을 완전히 향유하지 못한다. 이유가 무엇인가? 기업은 실제로 어떻게 3D-CAD를 이용하는가? 무엇이 이 신기술의 효율적 이용을 방해하는가? 본 논문은 이러한 의문들에 대한 연구이다. 우리는 1998, 2001, 2004년에 각각 700 개의 일문 회사들에 대해서 이루어진 설문조사로부터 추출된 데이터를 이용한다. 우리는 첫째, 3D-CAD 는 엔지니어링 시간의 감소에는 직접적 효과가 별로 없는 반면, 리드 타임을 감소시켰고 제품의 질을 상당히 향상시켰다는 점을 발견했다. 둘째, 우리의 분석은 3D-CAD 가 프로세스 변화로의 영향을 통해서 간접적으로 작용하는 효과가 중요함을 보인다. 그러한 프로세스 변화는 개발성과를 상당히 향상시킨다. 셋째, 3D-CAD 도입을 위한 조직상의 과정이, 기업이 이 기술로부터 얻는 이익을 다르게 한다. 상향식 도입에 의한 적응은 3D-CAD 의 글로벌적인 최적 사용을 방해하는 것 같다. 결론은 3D-CAD 가 바로 이익을 가져오지 않고, 적절한 과정 및 조직변화와 연계되어야 함을 암시한다. (JEL O31) The rapid advancement of information technology has profoundly influenced the process of new product development in many manufacturing companies. 3D-CAD technology, the focus of this study, is an example of such information technology. The latest 3D-CAD makes it possible to define all product constituent components and units as digital data. This has a substantial impact on the way new products are developed and performance of development projects. Having fully digitized product data enables computer-simulated testing without real prototypes. It also simplifies information flows and transmissions across different development stages. Visualizeddesign information by computer in an intuitively understandable form facilitates early collaboration among up-stream and down-stream engineers with different disciplines All these effects should, in theory, reduce lead-time and engineering hours, and improve product quality. However, in reality, such benefits are not fully captured by companies. Why is it? How do companies actually utilize 3D-CAD? What impedes the effective use of this new technology? What should companies understand to fully benefit from this tool? These are the questions addressed in this paper. To address these questions, we analyzedata obtained from questionnaire surveys conducted three times, in 1998, 2001, and 2004, each on 700 Japanese companies. We found, first, that the use of 3D-CAD has little direct effect on a reduction of engineering hours while it reduces lead-time and substantially improves product quality. Second, our analysis shows that an indirect effect through its impact on process changes associated with redefined task boundaries is important. Such process changes as downstream incorporation and task integration significantly improve development performance. Third, an organizational process for 3D-CAD introduction differentiates benefits that companies obtain from this technology. Localized adaptation driven by a bottom-up introduction process seems to impede global maximization for a 3D-CAD use. The result implies that just devising 3D-CAD does not bring about expected benefits: it must be associated with appropriate process and organizational change.

Prepulse Inhibition of Startle Response: Recent Advances in Human Studies of Psychiatric Disease

Hidetoshi Takahashi,Ryota Hashimoto,Masao Iwase,Ryouhei Ishii,Yoko Kamio,Masatoshi Takeda 대한정신약물학회 2011 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.9 No.3

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is considered to be one of the most promising neurophysiological indexes for translational research in psychiatry. Impairment of PPI has been reported in several psychiatric diseases, particularly schizophrenia, where PPI is considered a candidate intermediate phenotype (endophenotype) of the disease. Recent findings from a variety of research areas have provided important evidence regarding PPI impairment. Human brain imaging studies have demonstrated the involvement of the striatum, hippocampus, thalamus and frontal and parietal cortical regions in PPI. In addition, several genetic polymorphisms,including variations in the genes coding for Catechol O-methyltransferase, Neuregulin 1, nuclear factor kappa-B subunit 3 and serotonin-2A receptor were related to PPI; and these findings support PPI as a polygenetic trait that involves several neurotransmitter pathways. Early psychosis studies suggest that PPI disruption is present before the onset of psychosis. Also, discrepancy of PPI impairment between children and adults can be found in other psychiatric diseases, such as autistic spectrum disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder, and comprehensive investigation of startle response might contribute to understand the impairment of the neural circuitry in psychiatric diseases. Finally, recent studies with both Asian and Caucasian subjects indicate that patients with schizophrenia exhibit impaired PPI, and impaired sensorimotor gating might be a global common psychophysiological feature of schizophrenia. In conclusion, studies of PPI have successfully contributed to a better understanding of the fundamental neural mechanisms underlying sensorimotor gating and will certainly be most valuable in devising future approaches that aim to investigate the complex pathogenesis of psychiatric diseases.

Infl iximab Therapy Impacts the Peripheral Immune System of Immunomodulator and Corticosteroid Naive Patients with Crohn`s Disease

( Kyoichi Kato ),( Ken Fukunaga ),( Koji Kamikozuru ),( Shinichiro Kashiwamura ),( Nobuyuki Hida ),( Yoshio Ohda ),( Naohisa Takeda ),( Koji Yoshida ),( Masaki Iimuro ),( Yoko Yokoyama ),( Risa Kikuya 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2011 Gut and Liver Vol.5 No.1

Background/Aims: Infliximab (IFX), an antibody to tumor necrosis factor, (TNF)-α has effi cacy in treating Crohn`s disease (CD). However, knowledge of the potential effects of IFX on patients` immune profi les is lacking. The purpose of this study was to reveal the immunological effects of IFX. Methods: Twenty-two patients with a CD activity index (CDAI) of 194.2±92.9 and an average duration of disease of 3.26 months and 21 healthy controls were included. Patients were to have their fi rst IFX remission induction therapy with 3 infusions (5 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2, and 6. Oral 5-aminosalicylic acid was the only ongoing medication in the patient population. Blood samples at baseline, 12 hours after the first infusion and at week 14 were labeled with anti-CD4/ CD25 antibodies for immunohistochemical measurement of regulatory T-cells (Treg). Serum cytokines and chemokines were measured by suspension array and ELISA. Results: CDAI signifi cantly decreased prior to the second IFX infusion (p<0.001). Clinical remission rates were 77.3% and 91% by the second and third infusions, respectively. At baseline, interleukin (IL)-6 (p<0.03), IL-8 (p<0.03), IL-10 (p=0.050), IL-13 (p<0.01), transforming growth factor-β1 (p<0.01), and ``regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted`` (RANTES) (p<0.01) were elevated in patients. After the initial IFX infusion, TNF-α (p<0.04), IL-6 (p<0.03), interferon (IFN)-γ (p<0.04), IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 (p<0.01), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (p<0.01), macrophage infl ammatory protein-1β (p<0.01), and RANTES (p<0.01) were decreased. IFX infusion was associated with an increase in Treg (p<0.01) and a decrease in the Th1 (IFN-γ)/Th2 (IL-4) ratio (p<0.03). Conclusions: IFX use was associated with restoration of the Th1/Th2 balance after a single infusion and seemed to promote induction of naive Th0 lymphocytes to Treg. This knowledge should have clinical relevance. (Gut Liver 2011;5:37-45)

Infl iximab Therapy Impacts the Peripheral Immune System of Immunomodulator and Corticosteroid Naïve Patients with Crohn’s Disease

Kyoichi Kato,Ken Fukunaga,Koji Kamikozuru,Shinichiro Kashiwamura,Nobuyuki Hida,Yoshio Ohda,Naohisa Takeda,Koji Yoshida,Masaki Iimuro,Yoko Yokoyama,Risa Kikuyama,Hiroto Miwa,Takayuki Matsumoto 거트앤리버 소화기연관학회협의회 2011 Gut and Liver Vol.5 No.1

Background/Aims: Infliximab (IFX), an antibody to tumor necrosis factor, (TNF)-α has effi cacy in treating Crohn’s disease (CD). However, knowledge of the potential effects of IFX on patients’ immune profi les is lacking. The purpose of this study was to reveal the immunological effects of IFX. Methods: Twenty-two patients with a CD activity index (CDAI)of 194.2±92.9 and an average duration of disease of 3.26months and 21 healthy controls were included. Patients were to have their fi rst IFX remission induction therapy with 3 infusions (5 mg/kg) at weeks 0, 2, and 6. Oral 5-aminosalicylic acid was the only ongoing medication in the patient population. Blood samples at baseline, 12 hours after the first infusion and at week 14 were labeled with anti-CD4/CD25 antibodies for immunohistochemical measurement of regulatory T-cells (Treg). Serum cytokines and chemokines were measured by suspension array and ELISA. Results:CDAI signifi cantly decreased prior to the second IFX infusion (p<0.001). Clinical remission rates were 77.3% and 91% by the second and third infusions, respectively. At baseline, interleukin (IL)-6 (p<0.03), IL-8 (p<0.03), IL-10 (p=0.050), IL-13(p<0.01), transforming growth factor-β1 (p<0.01), and ‘regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted’(RANTES) (p<0.01) were elevated in patients. After the initial IFX infusion, TNF-α (p<0.04), IL-6 (p<0.03), interferon (IFN)-γ(p<0.04), IFN-γ-inducible protein-10 (p<0.01), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (p<0.01), macrophage infl ammatory protein-1β (p<0.01), and RANTES (p<0.01) were decreased. IFX infusion was associated with an increase in Treg (p<0.01)and a decrease in the Th1 (IFN-γ)/Th2 (IL-4) ratio (p<0.03). Conclusions: IFX use was associated with restoration of the Th1/Th2 balance after a single infusion and seemed to promote induction of naïve Th0 lymphocytes to Treg. This knowledge should have clinical relevance.