A Case Study of Risk Assessment of Ozone Impact on Forest Tree Species in Japan

Watanabe, Makoto,Yamaguchi, Masahiro,Matsumura, Hideyuki,Kohno, Yoshihisa,Koike, Takayoshi,Izuta, Takeshi Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment 2011 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.5 No.4

Ozone ($O_3$) is a main component of photochemical oxidants and a phytotoxic air pollutant. Although the current levels of tropospheric $O_3$ in East Asia could adversely affect productivity of forest tree species, risk assessments of $O_3$ impact were limited. In this paper, we summarize the methodology of risk assessment of $O_3$ on forest tree species based on our two previous studies, risk assessments of $O_3$ impact on the growth of Fagus crenata by Watanabe et al. (2012) and on the annual carbon absorption of three representative conifers, Cryptomeria japonica, Pinus densiflora and Larix kaempferi by Watanabe et al. (2010). $O_3$ sensitivity of each tree species obtained from an experimental study, $O_3$ exposure and atmospheric N deposition based on field monitoring and vegetation survey were integrated by geographic information system method. Based on the results, we conclude that the area with high risk of $O_3$ impact does not necessarily correspond to the area with high $O_3$ exposure. The varieties of tree habitat, tree sensitivity to $O_3$ and annual carbon absorption among the tree species, and N deposition-induced change in the $O_3$ sensitivity of F. crenata are raised as the factors of discordance between areas with high risk and those with high $O_3$ exposure. In the last part of this paper, we discuss the present uncertainty and perspectives of risk assessment for the future studies on the impact of $O_3$ on forest tree species in East Asia.

A Case Study of Risk Assessment of Ozone Impact on Forest Tree Species in Japan

Makoto Watanabe,Masahiro Yamaguchi,Hideyuki Matsumura,Yoshihisa Kohno,Takayoshi Koike,Takeshi Izuta 한국대기환경학회 2011 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.5 No.4

Ozone (O_3) is a main component of photochemical oxidants and a phytotoxic air pollutant. Although the current levels of tropospheric O_3 in East Asia could adversely affect productivity of forest tree species,risk assessments of O_3 impact were limited. In this paper, we summarize the methodology of risk assessment of O_3 on forest tree species based on our two previous studies, risk assessments of O_3 impact on the growth of Fagus crenata by Watanabe et al. (2012) and on the annual carbon absorption of three representative conifers, Cryptomeria japonica, Pinus densiflora and Larix kaempferi by Watanabe et al. (2010). O_3 sensitivity of each tree species obtained from an experimental study, O_3 exposure and atmospheric N deposition based on field monitoring and vegetation survey were integrated by geographic information system method. Based on the results, we conclude that the area with high risk of O_3 impact does not necessarily correspond to the area with high O_3 exposure. The varieties of tree habitat, tree sensitivity to O_3 and annual carbon absorption among the tree species, and N deposition-induced change in the O_3 sensitivity of F. crenata are raised as the factors of discordance between areas with high risk and those with high O_3 exposure. In the last part of this paper, we discuss the present uncertainty and perspectives of risk assessment for the future studies on the impact of O_3 on forest tree species in East Asia.

Relationship between water-holding capacity and intramuscular fat content in Japanese commercial pork loin

Watanabe, Genya,Motoyama, Michiyo,Nakajima, Ikuyo,Sasaki, Keisuke Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2018 Animal Bioscience Vol.31 No.6

Objective: The relationship between water-holding capacity (WHC) and intermuscular fat (IMF) was studied in Japanese commercial pork. Methods: Longissimus muscles of pigs (n = 62), obtained from two meat packing plants, were analyzed for IMF content, moisture content, drip loss, cooking loss, and pH. Pairwise relationships among these traits were determined using correlation analyses. Results: IMF content was significantly correlated with moisture content (r = -0.88; p<0.01) and pH (r = 0.32; p<0.05), but not with drip loss (r = -0.23; p = 0.07) or cooking loss (r = -0.10; p = 0.42). In contrast, drip loss was significantly (and negatively) correlated with pH (r = -0.57; p<0.01). Conclusion: IMF content was not significantly correlated with WHC in pork, and so ultimately, we consider pH to be one of the most important factors influencing WHC in pork meat.

Anti-dementia Effects of Gouteng-san and Si-Wu-Tang

Watanabe, Hiroshi The Korean Society of Toxicology Korea Environment 2001 Toxicological Research Vol.17 No.-

Recently, a traditional medicine called Gouteng-san, which consists of eleven herbs, was reported to be effective in treating vascular dementia with a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Gout-eng-san is also used for patients with vascular dementia in combination with Si-Wu-Tang. The effect of Gouteng-san and Si-Wu-Tang on deficit of learning behavior was investigated using step-down passive avoidance task in mice. Hot-water extract of Gouteng-san (1.5 and 6 g/kg, p.o.) significantly prolonged the step-down latency shortened by scopolamine. The extract of Uncaria hook (150 mg/kg, p.o.), one of the component herb of Gouteng-san, significantly prevented the decrease in the latency after scopolamine. Hot-water extract of Si-Wu-Tang (1.5 and 6 g/kg of dried herbs, p.o.) prevented dose-dependently scopola-mine-induced disruption qf learning behavior. Si-Wu-Tang also prevented the ischemia-induced deficit of learning behavior. Both hot water extract of peony and angelica (1.5 g/kg, p.o.), which are component herbs qf Si-Wu-Tang, prevented the scopolamine-induced learning behavior deficit. Scopolamine (10 uM) suppressed long-term potentiation (LTP) of population spike in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampal slices. Peoniflorin (0.1~ 1uM) extracted from paeony root significantly ameliorated scopolamine-induced inhibition of LTR These results suggest that improvement of deficit of learning behavior by Gouteng-san and Si-Wu-Tang is mediated by direct and/or indirect activation of the cholinergic system in the brain.

Dissipation-induced squeezing

Watanabe, Gentaro,Mä,kelä,, Harri American Physical Society 2012 Physical review. A. Atomic, molecular, and optical Vol.85 No.2

Uncertainty in the ENSO amplitude change from the past to the future

Watanabe, Masahiro,Kug, Jong‐,Seong,Jin, Fei‐,Fei,Collins, Mat,Ohba, Masamichi,Wittenberg, Andrew T. American Geophysical Union 2012 Geophysical research letters Vol.39 No.20

<P>Due to errors in complex coupled feedbacks that compensate differently in different global climate models, as well as nonlinear nature of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), there remain difficulties in detecting and evaluating the reason for the past and future changes in the ENSO amplitude,σnino. Here we use physics parameter ensembles, in which error compensation was eliminated by perturbing model parameters, to explore relationships between mean climate and variability. With four such ensembles we find a strong relationship between σniño and the mean precipitation over the eastern equatorial Pacific ( urn:x-wiley:00948276:media:grl29646:grl29646-math-0001). This involves a two?way interaction, in which the wetter mean state with greater urn:x-wiley:00948276:media:grl29646:grl29646-math-0001acts to increase the ENSO amplitude by strengthening positive coupled feedbacks. Such a relationship is also identified in 11 single?model historical climate simulations in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 5 despite mean precipitation biases apparently masking the relationship in the multi?model ensemble (MME). Taking changes inσniño and urn:x-wiley:00948276:media:grl29646:grl29646-math-0001between pre-industrial and recent periods eliminates the bias, and therefore results in a robustσnino-urn:x-wiley:00948276:media:grl29646:grl29646-math-0001connection in MME, which suggests a 10-15% increase in the ENSO amplitude since pre-industrial era mainly due to changing mean state. However, theσniño– urn:x-wiley:00948276:media:grl29646:grl29646-math-0001 connection is less clear for their future changes, which are still greatly uncertain.</P>

Writer Identification using Wii Remote Controller

Watanabe, Takashi,Shin, Jung-Pil,Chong, Ui-Pil The Korea Institute of Convergence Signal Processi 2013 융합신호처리학회 논문지 (JISPS) Vol.14 No.1

The objective of this study was to develop a system for handwriting recognition in three dimensions (3D) to authenticate users. While previous studies have used a stylus pen for two-dimensional input on a tablet, this study uses the Wii Remote controller because it can capture 3D human motion and could therefore be more effective means of recognition. The information obtained from a Wii Remote controller included x and y coordinates, acceleration (x, y, z), angular velocity (pitch, yaw, roll), twelve input buttons, and time. The proposed system calculates distances using six features extracted after preprocessing the data. In an experiment where 15 subjects wrote "AIZU" 10 times, we obtained a 94.8% identification rate using a combination of writing velocity, the peak value of pitch, and the peak value of yaw. This suggests that this system holds promise for handwriting-based authentication in the future.

The review of IFMFC (International Forum on Magnetic Force Control) -The accumulated knowledge and experience of the magnetic force control with IFMFC

Watanabe, Tsuneo The Korea Institute of Applied Superconductivity a 2018 한국초전도저온공학회논문지 Vol.20 No.2

The practical use of superconducting magnets is limited to medical equipment, energy equipment and the like. Therefore, it does not fully utilize the superior features of superconducting magnet or magnetic force. In order to overcome this blockage condition, The international Forum on Magnetic Force Control (IFMFC) was launched in Tokyo in 2010 by the magnetic separation researchers in Japan, Korea and China. The policy is to hold around the country every year, to apply the application to the engineering field of magnetic force utilization and information exchange about the development of applied science to mutual visit of researchers and to develop the application field of superconducting magnets in particular. The main object is to review the field of application of magnetic force with respect to published papers at 8 IFMFCs, and to introduce the trend of research forum utilizing strong magnetic force which is rare in the world. The United Nations is asking each country to achieve Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) targets for 2030. This IFMFC review will be utilized in this field.

Ultra Fine Soft Magnetic Powders Produced by High Pressure Water Atomization Process

Watanabe Atsushi,Otsuka Isamu,Wada Kimio 한국분말야금학회 2006 한국분말야금학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2006 No.1

Metal powder for dust core application was developed. The powder can be produced improved high-pressure water atomization process. The process has produced powder of spherical shape and lower coercivity. The dust core obta ined shows lower core loss.

Degassing of Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Powders as Studied by Gas Chromatography

Watanabe Ryuzo,Choi Duk-Sun,Kawasaki Akira 한국분말야금학회 2006 한국분말야금학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2006 No.1

Gas release behavior from aluminum and Al 7075 alloy powders during heating in argon was investigated by in-situ gas chromatography. Water vapor, hydrogen, carbon mono-oxide were detected as individual evolution spectra against heating temperature and time. The mechanisms of water and hydrogen evolutions were studied in detail for the determination of effective degassing condition. Magnesium in the alloy powder was found to lower the hydrogen evolution temperature to enhance overall hydrogen release.