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To predict mortality in patients with acute heart failure (AHF), we created and validated an internal clinical risk score, the KICKOFF score, which takes physical and social aspects, in addition to clinical aspects, into account. In this study, we validated the prediction model externally in a different geographic area.Methods and Results: There were 2 prospective multicenter cohorts (1,117 patients in Osaka Prefecture [KICKOFF registry]; 737 patients in Kochi Prefecture [Kochi YOSACOI study]) that had complete datasets for calculation of the KICKOFF score, which was developed by machine learning incorporating physical and social factors. The outcome measure was all-cause death over a 2-year period. Patients were separated into 3 groups: low risk (scores 0-6), moderate risk (scores 7-11), and high risk (scores 12-19). Kaplan-Meier curves clearly showed the score's propensity to predict all-cause death, which rose independently in higher-risk groups (P0.001) in both cohorts. After 2 years, the cumulative incidence of all-cause death was similar in the KICKOFF registry and Kochi YOSACOI study for the low-risk (4.4% vs. 5.3%, respectively), moderate-risk (25.3% vs. 22.3%, respectively), and high-risk (68.1% vs. 58.5%, respectively) groups.The unique prediction score may be used in different geographic areas in Japan. The score may help doctors estimate the risk of AHF mortality, and provide information for decisions regarding heart failure treatment.

Kensuke Takabayashi, Kotaro Iwatsu, Tsutomu Ikeda, Yuko Morikami, Tahei Ichinohe, Takashi Yamamoto, Kotoe Takenaka, Hiroyuki Takenaka, Hiroyuki Muranaka, Ryoko Fujita, Miyuki Okuda, Osamu Nakajima, Hitoshi Koito, Yuka Terasaki, Tetsuhisa Kitamura, Shouji Kitaguchi, Ryuji Nohara, Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Heart Failure Patients With Long-Term Care Insurance ― Insights From the Kitakawachi Clinical Background and Outcome of Heart Failure Registry ―, Circulation Journal, 2020, Volume 84, Issue 9, Pages 1528-1535, Released August 25, 2020, [Advance publication] Released July 21, 2020, Online ISSN 1347-4820, Print ISSN 1346-9843, https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.CJ-20-0017, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/circj/84/9/84_CJ-20-0017/_article/-char/en, Background: In Japan, the long-term care insurance (LTCI) system has an important role in helping elderly people, but there have been no clinical studies that have examined the relationship between the LTCI and prognosis for patients with acute heart failure (HF). Methods and Results: This registry was a prospective multicenter cohort, 1,253 patients were enrolled and 965 patients with acute HF aged ≥65 years were comprised the study group. The composite endpoint included all-cause death and hospitalization for HF after discharge. We divided the patients into 4 groups: (i) patients without LTCI, (ii) patients requiring support level 1 or 2, (iii) patients with care level 1 or 2, and (iv) patients with care levels 3-5. The Kaplan-Meier analysis identified a lower rate of the composite endpoint in group (i) than in the other groups. After adjusting for potentially confounding effects using a Cox proportional regression model, the hazard ratio (HR) of the composite endpoint increased significantly in groups (iii) and (iv) (adjusted HR, 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.98 and adjusted HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.23-2.14, respectively) when compared with group (i). However, there was no significant difference between groups (i) and (ii). Conclusions: The level of LTCI was associated with a higher risk of the composite endpoint after discharge in acute HF patients.

The Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) has been reported to predict clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). However, whether the discriminative capacity of SPPB score for adverse outcomes varies according to the phenotypes of HF, such as HF with reduced, mid-range, and preserved left-ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF, HFmrEF, and HFpEF) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in discriminative capacity of SPPB score for predicting 2-year mortality among phenotypes of HF.We consecutively enrolled 542 adult patients admitted for HF (HFrEF, n = 187; HFmrEF, n = 94; HFpEF, n = 261). The patients underwent SPPB score when discharged from hospital. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality during the 2 years after hospital discharge. We assessed the discriminative capacity of SPPB score for predicting mortality by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.A total of 95 events (17.5%) occurred during the follow-up period. The area under the curve of ROC (95% confidence interval) was 0.80 (0.71-0.88) in HFrEF, 0.61 (0.46-0.76) in HFmrEF, and 0.70 (0.61-0.79) in HFpEF group. After adjustment for potential confounders, the hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of the lower SPPB score were 5.38 (2.34-14.6) in HFrEF group, 1.12 (0.36-3.29) in HFmrEF group, and 3.19 (1.68-6.22) in HFpEF group.Prognostic value of SPPB score varies according to the HF phenotype. SPPB score predicts mortality in patients with HFrEF and HFpEF, but not in patients with HFmrEF. These findings lead to more precise risk prediction by SPPB score in patients with HF.

Lignin content and its molecular structure influence various wood characteristics. In this study, the anatomical and physicochemical properties of wood derived from a naturally occurring mulberry mutant deficient in cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), a key enzyme in lignin biosynthesis, were analyzed using conventional staining assays on stem sections, length and width measurements of xylem fiber cells, wood pulping and saccharification assays, and sugar compositional analysis of extractive-free wood powder. The present data indicate that the mutation in the CAD gene leads to improved wood delignification efficiency, increased pulp yield under alkaline pulping conditions, and enhanced saccharification efficiency following alkaline pretreatment. This study opens up new avenues for the multipurpose use of the mulberry CAD-deficient mutant as a raw material for biorefinery processes, in addition to its traditional use as a favored feed for silkworms.

Home treatment for heart failure (HF) is one of the most important problems in patients after discharge as a secondary preventive measure for rehospitalization for HF. However, there are no detailed studies on gender differences in sociopsychological factors such as living alone for HF rehospitalization among patients with acute HF (AHF). This prospective multicenter cohort study enrolled patients with AHF between April 2015 and August 2017. Patients of each gender with first AHF were divided into those living alone and those not living alone. The primary endpoint was defined as rehospitalization for HF after discharge. Cox proportional hazard analysis was performed to determine the association between living alone and the endpoint. Overall, 581 patients were included in this study during the 3-year follow-up. The proportion of rehospi-talization for HF was significantly higher in patients living alone than in those not living alone among male pa-tients. However, female patients showed no difference in endpoints between the two groups. The difference was independently maintained even after adjusting for differences in social backgrounds in male patients (adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 2.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-3.70). In female patients, the HR for rehospitaliza-tion for HF showed no difference between the two groups (adjusted HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.56-1.69). In this study population, male patients living alone after first AHF discharge had a higher risk of rehospi-talization for HF than those not living alone, but these differences were not observed in female patients.

AIM In Japan, the long-term care insurance (LTCI) system is important for elderly people living at home; however, no clinical studies have revealed a relationship between home- or community-based services and outcomes in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). METHODS This was a prospective multicenter cohort study of patients with AHF enrolled between April 2015 and August 2017. Patients aged ≥65 years with LTCI were divided into those receiving home- and community-based services (service users) and without home and community-based services (service non-users). The endpoint was defined as a composite endpoint, which included all-cause mortality and hospitalization for heart failure after discharge. Subgroup analyses were performed for elderly patients (

Respiration rate data on 61 heterotrophic planktonic protozoans were compiled and analyzed as a function of body mass [wet mass (WM), dry mass (DM), carbon (C) or nitrogen (N)], temperature, measuring method (Cartesian divers, Warburg, and electrodes, among others), physiological condition (growing, starved or unspecified) and taxon (amoebae, flagellates or ciliates). Stepwise multiple-regression analyses revealed that body mass was the most important parameter, followed by the physiological condition and temperature. The taxon-specific effects of body mass were detected for ciliates. Overall, the regression models explained 84% of the variance of the respiration data. Similar analyses could not be performed for the rates of ammonia excretion because of insufficient data. The comparison of the regression line of the respiration rates on WM and that of the ammonia excretion rates on WM, both of growing heterotrophic protozoans, yielded an O:N ratio of 7.2, which indicates protein-oriented metabolism. A comparison of the results of this study with the routine respiration rates of marine pelagic metazoans showed that the rates of growing protozoans were lower (0.71-fold) than those of crustaceans and fishes based on WM but were equivalent to those based on C mass.

Sekizaisou, a red-wood mulberry variety used in traditional sericulture, is a naturally occurring lignin mutant.

An increase in respiration (RSDA) associated with food ingestion (I) was estimated from routine rates (Rroutine) determined in the absence of food with sealed-chamber methods. Based on regression analyses of RSDA on I for metazooplankton in the laboratory, the fraction of I allocated to RSDA was calculated to be 0.10. Likely food ingestion of metazooplankton in the field (Ifield) was derived from “basic balanced equations” in which parameters such as Rroutine, laboratory-obtained food absorption efficiency (AE) and gross growth efficiency (K1) were incorporated (I&M model). Based on differences in AE values, metazooplankton were separated into particle-feeders (herbivores, omnivores) and carnivores and RSDA was computed to be 0.37 times Rroutine for the former and 0.25 times Rroutine for the latter. Hence, realistic respiration rates of metazooplankton feeding in the field (Rfield = RSDA + Rroutine) accounted for 1.37 times Rroutine for particle-feeders and 1.25 times Rroutine for carnivores. The increase in ammonia excretion (ESDA) accompanied by SDA in particle-feeders and carnivores was calculated from RSDA coupled with carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N by mass) ratios of possible natural foods (6.5 for the former and 4.5 for the latter). Results indicated that ESDA is 0.080 times RSDA for particle-feeders, and 0.116 times RSDA for carnivores.

Kensuke Takabayashi, Akihiro Ikuta, Yoshinori Okazaki, Mariko Ogami, Kotaro Iwatsu, Koichi Matsumura, Tsutomu Ikeda, Tahei Ichinohe, Yuko Morikami, Takashi Yamamoto, Ryoko Fujita, Kotoe Takenaka, Hiroyuki Takenaka, Yoshisumi Haruna, Hiroyuki Muranaka, Masaaki Ozaki, Tetsuhisa Kitamura, Shouji Kitaguchi, Ryuji Nohara, Clinical Characteristics and Social Frailty of Super-Elderly Patients With Heart Failure ― The Kitakawachi Clinical Background and Outcome of Heart Failure Registry ―, Circulation Journal, 2017, Volume 81, Issue 1, Pages 69-76, Released December 22, 2016, [Advance publication] Released November 30, 2016, Online ISSN 1347-4820, Print ISSN 1346-9843, https://doi.org/10.1253/circj.CJ-16-0914, https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/circj/81/1/81_CJ-16-0914/_article/-char/en, Background: Social background is important in preventing admission/readmission of heart failure (HF) patients. However, few clinical studies have been conducted to assess the social background of these patients, especially elderly patients. Methods and Results: The Kitakawachi Clinical Background and Outcome of Heart Failure (KICKOFF) Registry is a prospective multicenter community-based cohort of HF patients, established in April 2015. We compared the clinical characteristics and social background of the super-elderly group (≥85 years old) and the non-super-elderly group (

Cephalopods and fishes are major components of marine micronekton and nekton, so an understanding of their physiology and roles in ocean biogeochemistry is important. I compiled the routine respiration rates (50 datasets on 41 cephalopod species; 102 datasets on 90 fish species) from various depth horizons (< 1300 m) of the world's oceans and analyzed these rates as a function of body mass [wet mass (WM), dry mass (DM), carbon (C) or nitrogen (N)], habitat temperature and habitat depth using multiple regression. Stepwise-regression analyses revealed that body mass was the most important parameter, followed by habitat temperature and habitat depth, and these variables explained 89.7–93.8% and 94.7–95.8%, respectively, of the variance in the respiration data of fishes and cephalopods. The addition of a taxon category (order or family) as a fourth variable improved these correlations only slightly (95.6–95.7% and 95.7–96.2%, respectively). The resultant regression equation showed higher respiration rates in cephalopods than fishes relative to the DM, C or N body mass (by a factor 1.5- to 1.7-fold), but not to the WM body mass. The O:N ratios (respiration/ammonia excretion, by atoms) reported for 6 cephalopods (median: 13.2) and 35 fishes (24.2) suggested the predominance of protein as a metabolite in the former and carbohydrate or lipid in the latter. The present results are discussed in light of the methodological constraints and standing hypothesis for the relationship between the metabolic rate and temperature. The empirical models established in the present study can be used to assess the roles of cephalopods and fishes in C and N cycles in pelagic ecosystems based on the organisms' body mass spectra, ambient temperatures and depth distributions.

Soda-anthraquinone (soda-AQ) cooking, focused on obtaining lignin rather than cellulose, was performed under various cooking conditions. The lignin obtained by acidification of the spent liquor to pH 5 was chemically characterized and the correlation between the cooking conditions and the chemical properties of lignin was discussed. The lignin yield ranged from 6.7 to 13.3% on wood, depending on the cooking conditions. The phenolic hydroxyl group content of the lignin was about twice that of wood lignin and similar to that of commercial pine kraft lignin. The cooking time of the soda-AQ cooking significantly influenced the vanillin yield of the lignin by nitrobenzene oxidation. The vanillin yield of the lignin was less than half that of wood lignin and MWL. The non-phenolic α-O-4 linkage of the lignin was more stable than the non-phenolic β-O-4 linkage of the lignin under soda-AQ cooking.

Stable isotopes in tree-ring α-cellulose are valued as environmental proxies and their use is steadily increasing; however, preparation of α-cellulose is a bottleneck in isotope analysis. Recent methodological breakthrough for extracting tree-ring α-cellulose directly from tree-ring cross-sectional laths drastically increased the throughput of tree-ring isotope data. In this paper, we evaluate our recently designed “cross-section” method. This method employs polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cases, enabling direct extraction of α-cellulose from 1-mm thick tree-ring laths, in combination with fixation sheets to prevent disintegration of freeze-dried α-cellulose laths. Perforated PTFE cases are easily producible at an affordable cost. They are made of commonly available lab consumables in catalogs and do not require specially made PTFE parts. Freeze-dried α-cellulose laths preserved distinct anatomical structure, enabling precise separation at the tree-ring boundaries. Once separated from a lath, tree-ring α-cellulose can be weighed directly into silver or tin capsules for analysis. We checked chemical purity of α-cellulose prepared by the cross-section method from five tree species (larch, pine, spruce, beech, and oak). Residual lignin and hemicellulose contents were quantitatively assessed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and gas chromatography. The average chemical purity of α-cellulose laths from the five species was 94.5%, similar to the chemical purity of α-cellulose prepared with the standard Jayme-Wise method. Both oxygen and carbon isotope values of α-cellulose prepared by the cross-section method also closely matched those prepared by the standard method. We conclude that, by overhauling the method of α-cellulose preparation for tree-ring isotope analysis, we increased throughput of tree-ring oxygen and carbon isotope data without sacrificing sample purity.

For thirteen representative taxa of metazooplankton from various depth horizons (

Respiration and ammonia excretion data and chemical composition data [water content, ash, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and C:N ratios] of a total of 28–72 species of hydromedusae, scyphomedusae, siphonophores and ctenophores from various depths of the world's oceans were compiled. Multiple regression analyses revealed that body mass and habitat temperature but habitat depth were significant predictors for respiration and ammonia excretion rates. The scale exponents of body mass (0.66–1.05) and temperature coefficients (1.7–3.1 as Q10) of the empirical regression models varied greatly by the choice of body mass units (DM, C or N). The O:N ratios (median: 15.0) were independent of these parameters. Body C and N compositions (% of DM) decreased with the increase in either DM or habitat temperature, showing a stable C:N ratio of 3.8 (by mass). Comparison of the present results with global-bathymetric features of chaetognaths, copepods, euphausiids and mysids revealed that the medusae and ctenophores are unique in that they maintain high metabolic rates per unit body N, lack significant effects of habitat depth on metabolic rates, have high specific growth rates, and have little accumulation of energy reserves (lipids) in the body.

Metabolism (respiration and ammonia excretion rates) and chemical composition data [water content, ash, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and C:N ratios] of a total of between 6–32 species of pteropods (thecosomes and gymnosomes) and heteropods from ≤500 m depth of the world’s oceans were compiled. Among the independent variables designated (body mass, habitat temperature, sampling depth, taxon), body mass and habitat temperature were significant predictors of metabolism, attributing to 85 % of the variance in respiration rates and 69 % of the variance in ammonia excretion rates. Atomic O:N ratios (respiration:ammonia excretion) ranged from 7.0 to 100 (median 14.5), and no appreciable effects of the variables were detected. A significant negative correlation of C and N compositions and habitat temperature was seen only in the thecosomes. As judged by the concomitant increase in C:N ratios with increasing habitat temperature, a greater deposition of inorganic C (as CaCO3–C) in the shell of the warmer-living species was suggested. Compared with other zooplankton (copepods, chaetognaths, and euphausiids), the thecosomes were characterized by higher respiration rates per unit body N and larger ash content by having possession of calcareous shells. Because of the shells, C and N composition expressed as % of dry mass of the thecosomes were lower than those of the other zooplankton taxa.

The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10872-013-0200-x, espiration, ammonia excretion and chemical composition data [water content, ash, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and C:N ratios] of 16–43 pelagic decapods from epipelagic through abyssopelagic zones of the world’s oceans were compiled. For respiration, the independent variables including body dry mass, habitat temperature and sampling depth were all significant predictors of the empirical regression model, whereas the former two variables were significant predictors of the theoretical regression model. For ammonia excretion, body dry mass and habitat temperature were significant predictors of both regression models. Overall, these variables accounted for 68–87 % of the variance in the data. Atomic O:N ratios (respiration:ammonia excretion) ranged from 9.1 to 91 (median 16.4), and no appreciable effects of the three variables were detected. Body composition components were not significantly affected by the three variables, except positive effects of habitat temperature on ash and negative effects of sampling depth on N composition. As judged by C:N ratios, protein was considered to be the major organic component of most pelagic decapods. Some pelagic decapods from >500 m depth exhibited high C:N ratios (8.6–10.2), suggesting a deposition of lipids in the body. Comparison of the present results with global bathymetric models of euphausiids and mysids revealed great similarities among these pelagic crustacean taxa characterized by common behavioral and morphological features such as active swimming, developed compound eyes and respiratory gill organ.

Respiration and ammonia excretion data and chemical composition data [water content, ash, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and C:N ratios] of 13–32 mysids from freshwater, coastal littoral, epipelagic and abyssopelagic zones of the world's oceans were compiled. The independent variables including body mass, habitat temperature and sampling depth were all significant predictors of respiration, accounting for 74–85% of the variance in the data, while body mass and habitat temperature were significant predictors of ammonia excretion, accounting for 85–86% of the variance. Atomic O:N ratios (respiration: ammonia excretion) ranged from 7.9 to 44.8 (median: 18.7), indicating protein-oriented metabolism. Body water content and ash were not correlated with body mass, habitat temperature and sampling depth, but C composition and N composition increased and decreased, respectively, with the increase of sampling depth. As judged by C:N ratios, protein was considered to be the major organic component of most mysids. However, some deep-sea mysids exhibited high C:N ratios (8.6–10.6), suggesting a predominance of lipids in the body.

Respiration and ammonia excretion data and chemical composition data [water content, ash, carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and C:N ratios] of 18–32 amphipods (hyperiids and gammarids) from the epipelagic through bathypelagic zones of the world’s oceans were compiled. The independent variables including body mass, habitat temperature and mid-sampling depth were all significant predictors of respiration, accounting for 65–83 % of the variance in the data, while the former two variables were significant predictors of ammonia excretion, accounting for 64–77 % of the variance. Atomic O:N ratios (respiration:ammonia excretion) ranged from 11 to 74 (median 21.5). C composition was negatively correlated with habitat temperature, but water contents, ash, N, and the C:N ratio were uncorrelated with the three independent variables. As judged by C:N ratios, protein was considered to be the major organic component of most pelagic amphipods. However, some amphipods from >500 m depth exhibited high C:N ratios (>10) suggesting a large deposition of lipids in the body. Comparison of the present results with global bathymetric models of euphausiids and pelagic copepods revealed that respiration rates of the pelagic amphipods were near-equal to the rates of euphausiids but greater than the rates of pelagic copepods, reflecting taxon-specific body morphology and swimming behavior among the three taxa. As a marked feature of body chemical composition, the pelagic amphipods exhibited extremely high ash content (mean 25 % of DM) due to their possession of a robust exoskeleton.

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Respiration and ammonia excretion rates of 19–24 euphausiids from the epipelagic through bathypelagic zones of the world’s oceans were compiled. Body mass (expressed in terms of dry mass, carbon or nitrogen), habitat temperature and sampling depth were designated as parameters in multiple regression analysis. Results suggested that the three parameters were highly significant, contributing 71–89 % of the variance in respiration rates and 69–81 % of the variance in ammonia excretion rates. Atomic O:N ratios derived from simultaneous measurements of respiration and ammonia excretion rates ranged from 11 to 90 (median: 27), and no appreciable effects of the three parameters on O:N ratios were detected. If global-bathymetric models for the metabolism and chemical composition of copepods and chaetognaths are compared with those of euphausiids, it becomes evident that euphausiids are unique in that they maintain high metabolic rates and accumulate moderate amounts of energy reserves (lipids).

The process of solid-state fermentation was used to produce a cocktail enzyme of Trichoderma reesei ATCC 66587 and Aspergillus tubingensis KRCF 700-33. Wheat bran, corncob, and sugi pulp were supplemented with ammonium sulfate as an enzyme-producing medium using T. reesei and A. tubingensis. The corncob blend ratio, duration of incubation, and ammonium sulfate concentration were optimized for enhancing cellulase production from T. reesei using a Box-Behnken design. Filter paper degrading activity more than tripled when T. reesei was grown in the optimized medium, as compared with the initial medium. The highest activity of 4.03 FPU/ml (about 29 FPU/g of dry material) was obtained with a cocktail enzyme having a 25 % content of A. tubingensis and 75 % of T. reesei. The sugi pulp was then fermented to ethanol with the cocktail enzyme and thermotolerant yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae BA-11) under simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) at 40 °C. An ethanol concentration of 4.48 % (w/v) was achieved using the cocktail enzyme (4 FPU/g-pulp) that was produced on-site with a substrate loading level of 12.5 wt %, which achieved an ethanol yield of 76 % after 72 h.

Respiration (= oxygen consumption) and chemical composition [water content, ash, carbon (C) and nitrogen (N)] were determined for seven chaetognaths (Parasagitta elegans, Caecosagitta macrocephala, Pseudosagitta scrippsae, Solidosagitta zetesios, Eukrohnia hamata, Eukrohnia bathypelagica and Eukrohnia fowleri) from the epipelagic through bathypelagic zones (< 3000 m) in the western subarctic Pacific Ocean. Enzyme activities of the electron transfer system (ETS) were also determined on mesopelagic and bathypelagic chaetognaths, and ETS:Respiration ratios were calculated to confirm the validity of respiration rates measured at near in situ temperature but under normal pressure (1 atm). These data were combined with literature data from Arctic, Antarctic, temperate and tropical waters, and epipelagic through bathypelagic zones. A total of 25 data sets on 17 chaetognaths for respiration, and a total of 18–34 data sets on 18–21 chaetognaths for chemical composition were used to explore important parameters affecting their respiration rates and chemical composition. Designating body mass (dry mass, C or N), ambient temperature, oxygen saturation and sampling depth as independent variables, stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that body mass, habitat temperature and sampling depth were significant, attributing 82–93% of the variance of respiration rates. No significant effect of sampling depth and habitat temperature was detected in the chemical composition. These results are compared with those of copepods to highlight unique features of chaetognaths.

This study demonstrates reduced electron transfer system (ETS) activity of mixed copepods collected from 5,000 to 7,000 m depths [3.21 ± 1.25 μl O2 (mg protein)−1 h−1 at 10°C] as compared with mixed copepods from 0 to 200 m depths [5.93 ± 1.66 μl O2 (mg protein)−1 h−1 at 10°C] of the western subarctic Pacific. At the in situ temperature of 1.5°C, the 5,000–7,000 m ETS data, in terms of wet mass (WM)-specific respiration rates (R), is equivalent to [0.052 ± 0.021 μl O2 (mg WM)−1 h−1] which is similar to or greater than those reported for selected copepods or mixed mesozooplankton from

Rates of oxygen consumption (R) and ammonia excretion (E) of 29 species of small teleost fishes, which weighed between 1 and 400 mg dry mass (DM), from inshore waters of the Great Barrier Reef were determined at in situ temperatures (25 to 30°C). Regression analyses revealed that R (6.7 to 1296 µl O2 ind. -1 h -1 ) and E (0.28 to 64.2 µg NH4-N ind. -1 h -1 ) were correlated with body mass, but the ratio of R to E ( oxygen to nitrogen ratio; 17 to 104 by atoms), was not. Water content of fish bodies ranged from 66.0 to 81.4% of wet mass (WM), and ash content from 11.9 to 28.6% of DM. Total carbon (C) and total nitrogen (N) composition varied from 36.2 to 44.4% and from 8.3 to 12.8% of DM, respectively, resulting in C:N ratios of 3.1 to 4.7. Fractions of inorganic C and N were small (0.04 to 0.33% and 0.01 to 0.15% of DM, respectively). Combining R and E data with those of body C and N composition, daily metabolic losses were estimated to be 4.3 to 18.6% for body C and 0.8 to 9.1% for body N. The present R-body mass relationships were compared with the 3 published predictive mod- els for fishes to explore the best fit model. On a body mass basis expressed by N, values for R were consistent with the model for epipelagic zooplankton, but values for E were 30% lower, suggesting somewhat reduced E relative to R in fishes as compared with zooplankton. Three out of the 29 fishes exhibited markedly high metabolic O:N ratios together with high body C:N ratios, which was inter- preted as an adaptation to N-limited detritus nutrition.

Rates of oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion and chemical composition (water, ash and CN composition) were determined throughout larval development, from Stages I–IX, of Panulirus ornatus phyllosoma larvae raised in the laboratory. Dry mass (DM) specific oxygen consumption rates varied from 1.4 to 3.3 il O2 (DM)−1 h−1, showing a pattern of developmental decline. In contrast, specific ammonia excretion rates fluctuated irregularly from 0.02 to 0.067 ig NH4–N (DM)−1 h−1, yielding oxygen consumption to ammonia excretion ratios (O:N atomic ratio) as wide as 51–180. With progressive development, ash decreased from 34% to 17% of DM while C composition increased from 33% to 41% of DM. No consistent changing pattern with development was seen for water contents (74–83% of WM), N composition (6.9–9.5% of DM) and C:N ratios (4.0–5.1). Supplemental data of both specific oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion rates of laboratory-raised Stage III P. homarus and wild Parribacus antarcticus phyllosoma (stage unknown) of this study and literature data on phyllosomas of other lobster species by previous workers were shown to be comparable to those of P. ornatus phyllosomas when the differences inDM and temperature were taken into account. No appreciable differences due to the origin of the specimens, whether wild or laboratoryraised, were evident. Comparison of the present results with those of stomatopod larvae and holoplanktonic crustaceans in the same tropical marine habitats revealed that phyllosoma larvae are characterized by somewhat lower DM specific oxygen consumption rates and N composition. The study revealed markedly reduced ammonia excretion rates in phyllosomas, suggesting reduced swimming activity and preferential utilization of dietary protein to somatic growth rather than metabolism.

Fine-scale vertical distribution patterns of the calanoid copepods Neocalanus flemingeri, Neocalanus cristatus, Eucalanus bungii and Metridia pacifica were studied by stratified sampling (9 strata between 0 and 1000 m) with a vertical multiple plankton sampler (VMPS) every 3 h for 24 h during 21‐22 March 2005 in the Oyashio region. Most C1‐C5 stages of N. flemingeri and N. cristatus occurred in the 30‐90 m and 70‐200 m strata, respectively, both by day and night. Irrespective of day and night, C3‐C6 E. bungii were distributed broadly in the 200‐430 m stratum (C5 inhabiting the shallowest layer). Thus, these three copepods exhibited vertical partitioning of their habitats in the upper layers. The C1‐C6 of M. pacifica were distributed broadly from 140 to 400 m during daytime and migrated up to the 100‐180 m layer at night (except for non-migrant C1 and C6 males). The within-species zonation of copepodid stages was less marked, but older stages tended to occupy deeper zones (N. flemingeri, N. cristatus and M. pacifica) or shallower zones (E. bungii). Gut content analyses of N. flemingeri and N. cristatus revealed the predominance of diatoms in the guts of both species, but the proportion of broken cells was greater in the deep-dwelling N. cristatus than in the shallow-dwelling N. flemingeri, suggesting the importance of sinking phytoplankton aggregates as a food source for the former species.

As a basis for analyzing development of six large grazing copepods (Eucalanus bungii, Metridia pacifica, M. okhotensis, Neocalanus cristatus, N. flemingeri and N. plumchrus) in the Oyashio region, quasi-daily twin-NORPAC net (0.33 and 0.10 mm mesh) hauls were taken through the upper 150 m and 500 m at a station southwest of Hokkaido before (9-14 March) and after (6-30 April) the onset of the phytoplankton bloom in 2007. Based on additional fresh specimens collected from 0-150 m, egg production of E. bungii, M. pacifica and M. okhotensis, and gut pigments of late copepodid stages in each species were evaluated. Total zooplankton biomass was greater from 10 April onward by a factor of 2- to 8-fold the previous levels. This increase of the 0-150 m biomass was caused by development of Neocalanus spp. copepodids and upward migration of resting E. bungii. Egg production of E. bungii peaked on 18 April, while abundance of its nauplii and C1 peaked on 20 and 25 April, respectively. Sex ratio and C6-female gonad maturation index of E. bungii showed new recruitment to C6 during 20-30 April, likely derived from a population that over-wintered as C3 or C4. Egg production and hatchability of M. pacifica and M. okhotensis were highly variable and no temporal trend was detected. Comparison with field abundance data for Metridia spp. suggests that our estimates of egg production and hatchability are too low, despite care with experimental conditions. All the Neocalanus species utilize the bloom as energy for juvenile growth. Neocalanus cristatus developed from C2 through C4, and stage duration of C3 was estimated to be 24 days. Neocalanus flemingeri also developed from Cl through C3, and stage durations of C1 and C2 were estimated to be 7-9 days. Neocalanus plumchrus occurred in small numbers from mid-April onward. The stage duration estimates for Neocalanus spp. are similar to those reported from the high-nutrition southeastern Bering Sea shelf. Gut pigment variation clearly showed nocturnal feeding by Metridia spp., while no diel changes in gut pigment were recognized for E. bungii or Neocalanus spp. The diel changes in gut pigment of Metridia spp. were related to their diel vertical migrations. The calendar of sequential responses of copepods to the phytoplankton bloom is summarized.

The abundance and population structure of Euphausia pacifica and Thysanoessa inspinata were investigated during the period 9 March–29 April 2007 at a single station in the Oyashio region. Water temperature and chlorophyll a concentration varied from 1.1 to 6.1 1C and from 0.02 to 6.3 mg m � 3 , respectively, primarily reflecting the effects of varying mixtures of the water masses prevailing in this region. The abundance of euphausiids, collected by oblique hauls with Bongo nets (0–200 m) at night, fluctuated from 41 to 1040 individuals m � 2 for E. pacifica and from 50 to 186 individuals m � 2 for T. inspinata. Correlation analyses revealed that the variations in the abundance of E. pacifica were related to water temperature and chlorophyll a, while abundance of T. inspinata only varied with temperature. Adult males and females (with and without spermatophores) were the major components of both euphausiid stocks (4 90% of the total). Modal size (¼total length or TL) analysis revealed that one group with large sizes (14–18 mm TL for E. pacifica, 16–18 mm TL for T. inspinata) occurred throughout the study period, often accompanied by one discrete group of smaller individuals (o 11 mm TL for both euphausiids), suggesting the distribution of the same euphausiid populations across the heterogeneous water masses. Adult males were significantly smaller than adult females in T. inspinata, but this was not the case in E. pacifica. Tracing the progressive increase in the mean sizes of the larger size groups, growth rates were estimated to be 0.082 mm day � 1 for E. pacifica and 0.022 mm day � 1 for T. inspinata. The difference in the growth rates of the two euphausiids is discussed in light of species-specific differences in the allocation of energy to reproduction and somatic growth during the present study period.

Despite large diatom blooms occurring in the Oyashio region of the NW Pacific every spring, our knowledge of factors controlling primary productivity in the region during that season remains incomplete. Therefore, we investigated phytoplankton abundance, size structure, and primary productivity from April to June 2007. Significant changes were observed. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations in surface waters fluctuated between 0.37 and 17 mg m−3. Micro-sized (>10 μm) phytoplankton dominated the phytoplankton community when Chl a was >1 mg m−3. Depth-integrated daily primary production within the euphotic layer ranged between 328 and 3231 mg C m−2 d−1. Higher values of the water-column light utilization index (Ψ) for phytoplankton photosynthesis were observed in May and June. Although no significant relationships were found between surface primary productivity and macronutrient concentrations or photosynthetically available radiation (PAR), surface primary productivity correlated significantly with Chl a concentration during April, indicating that algal productivity depended on phytoplankton biomass. Furthermore, significant linear relationships were found throughout the observations of phytoplankton absorption coefficient to surface primary productivity and of that coefficient to the optimum algal photosynthetic rate normalized by Chl a level (PBopt) in the water column. Modeling PBopt with the empirical equations of Behrenfeld and Falkowski (1997) or Kameda and Ishizaka (2005) did not accurately reproduce in situ PBopt. These results suggest that the phytoplankton absorption properties could become useful indicators for estimating primary productivity in the Oyashio region during spring.

We investigated the nutrient and diatom dynamics during late winter and spring (9-March to 1-May 2007) in the Oyashio region as part of the OECOS-WEST research cruises. Macronutrients, iron, chlorophyll a (Chl- a ) and biogenic silica (BSi) concentrations in the upper mixed layer varied remarkably ranges were 1.88–18.8 μmol L −1 for NO 3 +NO 2 , 0.64–1.85 μmol L −1 for PO 4 , 3.14–35.7 μmol L −1 for Si(OH) 4 , 0.14–0.54 nmol L −1 for D-Fe, 0.64–24.6 nmol L −1 for T-Fe, 0.30–17.4 μg L −1 for Chl- a , and 0.34–14.1 μmol L −1 for BSi. Mixed-layer depth (MLD) varied from 8–190 m during the cruises. The growth rate of in situ phytoplankton communities, dominated by centric diatoms, varied in shipboard culture experiments from 0.55 d −1 for iron-replete to 0.14 d −1 for iron-limited conditions. A relationship between BSi and Chl- a concentrations indicates that the in situ diatom community in the warmer water system (>4 °C) was heavily silicified, probably due to iron-limitation. The in situ macronutrient and dissolved iron concentrations below the MLD and estimated macronutrient concentrations during winter were negatively correlated to temperature (1–6 °C), that is to the relative proportion of warm modified Kuroshio Water mixed into the colder Oyashio water system. The rate of decrease in Si(OH) 4 per °C increase was greater than the rates for NO 3 +NO 2 and PO 4 for both in situ and estimated winter values. These results suggest that the spring bloom in the cold-water system with high macronutrients and iron concentrations would progress rapidly and intensely, and then be terminated by nitrogenous nutrient depletion. However, the diatom bloom in warmer waters with lower macronutrients and iron concentrations would be terminated by Si- and/or iron-limitation of heavily-silicified diatoms. In the OECOS study, variation of macronutrients and iron due to the surface intrusions of several water masses and modification from different chemical conditions during winter were the most important factors regulating the progression, magnitude and probably fate of the spring phytoplankton bloom in the Oyashio region.

Iron [dissolved Fe (D-Fe) and total dissolvable Fe (T-Fe)] and nutrient concentrations in the surface water of the Oyashio region (northwestern North Pacific) were measured before and during spring phytoplankton bloom (March to May in 2007). During the pre-bloom period (middle of March), we observed vertically uniform concentrations of iron (0.3-0.5 nM [D-Fe] and 3-5 nM [T-Fe]), macronutrients (10-15 μM NO3+NO2, 1.0-1.5 μM PO4 and 20-30 μM Si(OH)4) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a, 0.3-0.4 μg ^[-1]) throughout the upper 125 to 150 m due to vertical mixing during winter. Water temperature and salinity before the bloom were also vertically uniform with > 5℃ and S > 33.5, the conditions of a modified Kuroshio warm-water (MKW) ring, higher than those of the Coastal Oyashio Water (COW). The cold COW ( < 2℃, S < 33.2) intruded a few times into the surface during the bloom period with high iron (0.4-0.6 nM [D-Fe] and 10-25 nM [T-Fe]) and Chl-a (10-23 μg l^[-1]) concentrations. The high Chl-a observed in the COW is due to the higher original concentrations of iron and macronutrients in the COW than in the MKW. An incubation experiment conducted during a COW intrusion in early April resulted in robust phytoplankton growth and complete exhaustion of nutrients, indicating an adequate supply of bioavailable iron. This result is also consistent with robust in situ phytoplankton growth and Chl-a production due to the presence of high iron levels in the COW. The most important mechanisms transporting iron to the surface water, which would regulate the primary production during spring bloom in the Oyashio region, are the surface intrusions of iron- and nutrient-rich COW derived from vertical and lateral mixing processes and vertical mixing in MKW during winter and spring.

平成18年後半，政府は2030年までに国産バイオマスを原料としてガソリン使用料の1割を代替できるバイオエタノールを製造することを目標に掲げ，その中で木質から生産するエタノールを目標200万kLとした。この200万kLのエタノールを製造するためには，約400万tのセルロースが必要となるが，そのような莫大なセルロースを生産できる技術は紙パルプ業界以外にあり得ない。よって，森林総研はソーダアントラキノン蒸解法で製造したパルプを酵素糖化と発酵によりバイオエタノールに生産する技術の開発に着手し平成20年に秋田県北秋田市に実証プラントを建設するに至った。プラントは平成21年6月に完成し，その後数度の実証運転を行いいくつかの問題点を抽出した。それらの中で，糖化・発酵工程におけるパルプ懸濁液の輸送や撹拌は，エタノールの生産効率に大きく影響する問題であった。

Resting spore formation and Si:N drawdown ratios were investigated under iron (Fe)- and nitrogen (N)-limited conditions using a unialgal culture of Thalassiosira nordenskioeldii and natural phytoplankton assemblages during the spring bloom in the Oyashio region. In the unialgal culture of T. nordenskioeldii , 20% and 100% of the cells formed resting spores under Fe- and N-limited conditions, respectively. The Si:N drawdown ratios were 2- and 14-fold higher in Fe- and N-limited conditions, respectively, compared to Fe- and N-sufficient conditions. At the start of the natural phytoplankton incubation, 18 among 47 identified diatom species were known resting spore-forming species. Approximately 15 common diatom species formed resting spores under Fe- and N-limited conditions. During the natural phytoplankton incubation, the percentage of the resting spores increased with time under both Fe- and N-limited conditions, reaching 25% and 40% of total diatom abundance, respectively. The Si:N drawdown ratios significantly increased with an increase in the contribution of resting spores in both the unialgal culture and natural phytoplankton incubations. These results suggest that if the bloom dominated by neritic, resting spore-forming diatom species decline by either Fe- or N-depletion, Si may be utilized preferentially to N in the upper mixed layer due to the formation of heavily silicified resting spores.

A series of oblique hauls with Bongo nets (0-1000 m) was made during the period of August 2002 through August 2004 in the Oyashio region, western subarctic Pacific, to investigate abundance, biomass and life cycle patterns of the three predominant euphausiids (Euphausia pacifica, Thysanoessa inspinata and T. longipes). While the three euphausiids occurred throughout the entire study period, E. pacifica was the most abundant (1,120 indiv. m � 2 , or 832 mg C m � 2 ), followed by T. inspinata (163 indiv. m � 2 , or 144 mg C m � 2 ) and T. longipes (73 indiv. m � 2 , or 75 m gCm � 2 ). Judging from the occurrence of females with spermatophores and furcilia larvae, the spawning was consid- ered to take place twice a year (April-May and August) for E. pacifica, year-round (peak season: March-May) for T. inspinata and in spring (March-May) for T. longipes. The population structure in terms of size (� total length) fre- quency distributions of the three euphausiids was characterized by the frequent co-occurrence of 2-3 cohorts in the same samples. The maximum size of males and females found were 21 mm and 24 mm, respectively, for E. pacifica, 18 mm and 23 mm, respectively, for T. inspinata, 27 mm and 31 mm, respectively, for T. longipes. Tracing the sequence of cohorts, the life spans of E. pacifica, T. inspinata and T. longipes were estimated to be 17-26 months, 17-19 months and 29-31 months, respectively. These results are compared with reports of the same species in other habitats in the light of regional variations.

現状では有効利用が十分進んでいない未利用材や建設発生木材に相当する木質バイオマスを用いたアルカリ前処理および酵素糖化を行い，これら木質系バイオマスのバイオエタノール原料としての適性を検討した。樹皮が残ったままのスギ枝は，スギ材に比べるとグルコース収率はやや低かったが，バイオエタノール原料として十分に使用することができると考えられた。フェノール樹脂接着剤が使用されたPWは，アルカリ前処理により接着剤のほとんどを除くことができたと考えられ，酵素糖化が阻害されることはなくスギ材と同様の高いグルコース収率を与えた。このためにこのようなPWは，バイオエタノール原料として適すると考えられた。メラミン・ユリア共縮合樹脂接着剤が使用されたPBは，スクリーン粕が多く発生したために，パルプ収率を上げることができなかった。さらにパルプ中にも接着剤由来と考えられる物質が残存したために，酵素糖化はあまり進まなかった。ユリア樹脂接着剤が使用されたMDFは，パルプ収率は高かったが，アルカリ前処理により接着剤やリグニンを十分に取り除くことができなかったために，酵素糖化はほとんど進まなかった。スギ葉は，アルカリ前処理の過程で可溶化した部分の割合が高くパルプ収率は10％程度しか得られなかった。さらに酵素糖化もほとんど進まずスギ葉あたりのグルコース収率はわずか2．8％であったために，スギ葉はバイオエタノール原料として適さないと考えられた。

In reply to the Comment by Childress et al. (2008; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 373:187-191), a rationale is given for the use of N-specific respiration data (instead of live-mass specific respiration data), life stage/sex structured data (instead of species structured data), capture depth (instead of minimum depth of occurrence, MDO) and respirometry design including enzyme assay of electron transfer system (ETS) (instead of citrate synthase (CS) assay), low oxygen seawater from the capture depth of the copepods (instead of oxygen enriched seawater) and density effect in the experiment of Ikeda et al. (2006; Mar Ecol Prog Ser 322:199-211). These results, combined with recent reports on chemical composition and RNA:DNA ratios, continue to support the conclusion of reduced respi- ration in deeper-living copepods. The gap between the species-based wet-mass specific respiration- MDO approach promoted by Childress et al. (2008) and the individual-based N-specific respiration- capture depth approach of Ikeda et al. (2006) is due to the different philosophical outlooks of the 2 research groups. One is based on the highly focused view of animal physiology, the other is based on the broad view of biological oceanography that incorporates all aspects of biology.

Biomass distribution and trophodynamics in the oceanic ecosystem in the Oyashio region are presented and analyzed, combining the seasonal data for plankton and micronekton collected at Site H since 1996 with data for nekton and other animals at higher trophic levels from various sources. The total biomass of biological components including bacteria, phytoplankton, microzooplankton, mesozooplankton, micronekton, fishes/squids and marine birds/mammals was 23 g C m−2, among which the most dominant component was mesozooplankton (34% of the total), followed by phytoplankton (28%), bacteria (15%) and microzooplankton (protozoans) (14%). The remainder (9%) was largely composed of micronekton and fish/squid. Marine mammals/birds are only a small fraction (0.14%) of the total biomass. Large/medium grazing copepods (Neocalaus spp., Eucalanus bungii and Metridia spp.) accounted for 77% of the mesozooplankton biomass. Based on information about diet composition, predators were assigned broadly into mean trophic level 3–4, and carbon flow through the grazing food chain was established based on the estimated annual production/food consumption balance of each trophic level. From the food chain scheme, ecological efficiencies as high as 24% were calculated for the primary/secondary production and 21% for the secondary/tertiary production. Biomass and production of bacteria were estimated as 1/10 of the respective values for phytoplankton at Site H, but the role of the microbial food chain remains unresolved in the present analysis. As keystone species in the oceanic Oyashio region, Neocalanus spp. are suggested as a vital link between primary production and production of pelagic fishes, mammals and birds.

Mesozooplankton ammonium excretion rates in the ocean, based on published data, were studied across all latitudes in order to assess the amount of ammonium excretion by this community. Specific ammonium excretion rates were highest in equatorial waters and decreased rapidly poleward. Global community excretion in the upper 200 m of the oceans, integrated over all latitudes, accounted in general for 1.78+0.60 Gt N.year 21 . Excretion rates showed a decrease from tropical (0.65+0.14 Gt N.year 21 ) to polar waters (0.05+0.02 Gt N.year 21 ). The substrate metabolized by organisms as indicated by the O/N ratio showed a protein-based metabolism of mesozooplankton with the exception of the temperate and subpolar regions, which showed a more lipid-based metabolism. The largest contribution of ammonium to autotrophs was observed in the tropical and subtropical areas, decreasing to polar areas. On a global basis, nutrient regeneration by mesozooplankton in the oceanic realm was estimated to be in the range of 12‐23% of the requirements for phytoplankton and bacterial production.

Woody biomass has become important for a raw material of bioethanol production. Alkaline pre-treatment on the woody biomass is an advantage method for the large scale production of the bioethanol. In this study, the cellulase production using the alkaline treated woody biomass was investigated. And the bioethanol was produced from the alkaline treated woody biomass using cultures of Trichoderma reesei and Saccharomyces cerevesiae. We propose a process of the bioethanol production from woody biomass based on the alkaline pre-treatment, enzymatic saccharification and fermentation.

The planktonic food web structure in the water off Cape Esan, southwestern Hokkaido, Japan was investi- gated at approximately one or two-month intervals from May 1997 through June 1999, based on biomass data of pico- (0.2-2 mm), nano- (2-10 mm), micro- (10-200 mm) and mesoplankton (200-20,000 mm). In spring (March-April), the water column was stratified and a spring diatom bloom occurred. In addition, microzooplankton and copepod biomass was high among the heterotrophic plankton in spring. In other seasons (summer, fall and winter), pico- and nanoplank- ton assemblages were dominant within the plankton community. These results indicate that the grazing food chain (micro-size phytoplankton - copepods) might be important and the indirect route (micro-size phytoplankton - microzoo- plankton - copepods) probably prevails in spring, while the microbial food web might be the predominant carbon flow route in other seasons.

As indices of protein synthetic activity, RNA:DNA ratios were determined for >80 cope- pod species caught from the epipelagic (0 to 500 m), mesopelagic (500 to 1000 m), upper bathypelagic (1000 to 2000 m), lower bathypelagic (2000 to 3000 m) and abyssopelagic (3000 to 5000 m) zones of the North Pacific Ocean. The copepods from the epipelagic zone exhibited higher RNA:DNA ratios compared to those from the mesopelagic through the abyssopelagic zones. Parameters (other than the depth zones) affecting the ratios were explored, by grouping the copepods into 4 developmental- stage/sex categories (C4, C5 and C6 females and males), 3 feeding types (carnivore, detritivore and suspension feeder), or 2 phylogeny-related reaction-speed groups in which detecting the presence or absence of myelinated sheath enveloping axons indicated fast or slow reacting species, respectively. Stage and sex data showed that RNA:DNA ratios were greater in C6 females than in other groups. Among the feeding-type data, carnivores exhibited the lowest RNA:DNA values. Reaction-speed data indicated that slow-reacting species are characterized by lower ratios than fast-reacting species. Taking into account all of these biological parameters as independent variables, stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the pattern of the reduction in RNA:DNA ratios toward greater depths was still valid. The typical interzonal copepods, Neocalanus spp., showed that non-feeding C6 females of N. plumchrus and N. flemingeri collected from the mesopelagic through the abyssopelagic zones had high RNA:DNA ratios comparable to those of the epipelagic-zone copepods. The present results, combined with recent reports on the depth-related decline in the metabolism and body nitro- gen content of pelagic copepods downward, suggest overall slower life modes of deeper-living spe- cies. We think the 'predation-mediated selection' hypothesis explains this 'slow' life more effectively than limited food supply or colder temperatures in the deep sea.