Lignin is a biopolymer consisted of monolignols but the growth mechanism of lignin has not yet been elucidated. In this study, enzymatic dehydrogenative polymerization of dilignols, guaiacylglycerol-β-coniferyl ether (I), dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (II), and pinoresinol (III), was conducted using crude enzyme obtained from Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) in order to investigate the step following the initial radical coupling between monolignols. The results suggested the occurrence of radical transfer during the reaction, similar to the reaction using horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The behavior of erythro and threo of I during the reaction was analyzed, and it was found that the crude enzyme has a substrate specificity toward erythro rather than threo forms, but HRP shows negligible specificity. And that erythro of I shows a slightly greater tendency to form a radical by radical transfer from II or III than the threo form.

We consider the exploration problem with a single agent in undirected graphs. Starting from an arbitrary node, the agent has to explore all the nodes and edges in the graph and return to the starting node. Our goal is to minimize both the number of agent moves and the memory space of the agent, which dominate the amount of communication during the exploration. In our setting, the agent is allowed to use the local memory called the whiteboard on each node (the whiteboard model), while most of existing exploration algorithms do not use the whiteboard (the no-whiteboard model). In the no-whiteboard model, the agent must memorize in its memory all information needed to explore the graph, and thus designing an exploration algorithm of small agent memory is difficult. In this paper, by allowing the agent to use whiteboards, we present four exploration algorithms such that both the number of agent moves and the agent memory space are small.

We established a soil-free culture capable of dechlorinating polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Kanechlor-300 and Kanechlor-400 by establishing a PCB-dechlorinating soil culture in liquid medium containing 0.5 mm glass beads. PCB-dechlorination activity in liquid cultures with glass beads appeared to depend on the size of the glass beads, and soil-free cultures with 0.05-, 1.0- or 2.0 mm glass beads did not dechlorinate PCBs. Soil-free culture without glass beads also failed to dechlorinate PCBs. The soil-free culture containing 0.5 mm glass beads dechlorinated 42.6 ± 12.0 mol% in total PCBs. This soil-free culture was more effective than soil culture for dechlorinating PCBs ranging from dichlorinated PCBs to tetrachlorinated PCBs. Clone analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that one of the predominant groups of microorganisms in the soil-free culture comprised heat-tolerant and spore-forming bacteria from the phylum Firmicutes. Heat treatment (100 °C, 10 min) did not destroy the PCB-dechlorination activity of the soil-free culture with glass beads. These results suggest that unknown species of the phylum Firmicutes were involved in PCB dechlorination in the soil-free culture. In this study, we succeeded in using a liquid medium containing glass beads as an inorganic soil substitute and showed that such a medium enhances PCB-dechlorination activity. Our study provides valuable information for developing PCB-bioremediation techniques using dechlorinating bacteria in anoxic contaminated soils and sediments.

We investigate the relation between the (ideal) time and space complexities for the gathering problem with k anonymous agents in asynchronous anonymous tree networks. The gathering problem requires that all the agents in the network have to meet at a single node within a finite time. Although an asymptotically space-optimal algorithm is known, its time complexity is quite large. In this paper, we consider asymptotically (ideal-)time-optimal algorithms and investigate the minimum memory requirement per agent for asymptotically time-optimal algorithms. First, we show that there exists a tree with n nodes in which Ω(n) bits of memory per agent is required to solve the gathering problem in O(n) time (asymptotically time-optimal). Then, we present an asymptotically time-optimal gathering algorithm. This algorithm can be executed if each agent has O(n) bits of memory. From this lower/upper bound, this algorithm is asymptotically space-optimal on the condition that the time complexity is asymptotically optimal.

In epilepsy fit, lost of consciousness of patients is very dangerous according to happening places and situations and it is necessary to detect and inform to related person. But the existing systems are expensive, difficult to install. It also does not always detect it. In this research, in order to reduce an unexpected accident, it is proposed that the dangerous state detection system can detect the epilepsy fit at any time in daily life. It uses acceleration sensor system for fit detection. It is cheap and portable so, it can be installed easily to human body. (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

We investigate the relation between the time complexity and the space complexity for the rendezvous problem with k agents in asynchronous tree networks. The rendezvous problem requires that all the agents in the system have to meet at a single node within finite time. First, we consider asymptotically time-optimal algorithms and investigate the minimum memory requirement per agent for asymptotically time-optimal algorithms. We show that there exists a tree with n nodes in which Ω(n) bits of memory per agent is required to solve the rendezvous problem in O(n) time (asymptotically time-optimal). Then, we present an asymptotically time-optimal rendezvous algorithm. This algorithm can be executed if each agent has O(n) bits of memory. From this lower/upper bound, this algorithm is asymptotically space-optimal on the condition that the time complexity is asymptotically optimal. Finally, we consider asymptotically space-optimal algorithms while allowing slowdown in time required to achieve rendezvous. We present an asymptotically space-optimal algorithm that each agent uses only O(logn) bits of memory. This algorithm terminates in O(Δn 8) time where Δ is the maximum degree of the tree.

This paper reveals the relation between the time complexity and the space complexity for the ren- dezvous problem with k agents in asynchronous tree networks with n nodes. The rendezvous prob- lem requires k ≥ 2 agents to meet at a single node. We propose three algorithms for the ren- dezvous problem. All the algorithms guarantee that all the agents meet at a single node if the tree is not symmetric. Otherwise, all the agents gather at two neighboring nodes. Firstly, we present the simple asymptotically time-optimal algorithm, which has time complexity O(n) and space com- plexity O(n logn) per agent. The second algo- rithm achieves better space complexity O(n) at the cost of time complexity and its time complexity is O(n logn). Lastly, we present the asymptoti- cally space-optimal one. This algorithm has space complexity O(logn) and time complexity O(∆n8) where ∆ is the maximum degree of the tree.

The dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins was examined in an enrichment culture (KFL culture) that contained two phylotypes of Dehalobacter, FTH1 and FTH2. The KFL culture dechlorinated 2,3,4,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl, 2,3,4-trichorobiphenyl (2,3,4-TriCB), and 1,2,3-trichlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3-TriCDD). Quantitative real-time PCR targeting FTH1 and FTH2 revealed significant increases with the addition of PCBs and 1,2,3-TriCDD, suggesting halorespiring growth of the Dehalobacter species in the KFL culture. This study demonstrated the reductive dechlorination of PCBs and 1,2,3-TriCDD by Dehalobacter species in a sediment-free culture and a novel dechlorination pathway, the conversion of 2,3,4-TriCB to 4-monochlorobiphenyl via 3,4-dichlorobiphenyl.

The purpose of this study was the enrichment and phylogenetic identification of bacteria that dechlorinate 4,5,6,7-tetrachlorophthalide (commercially designated "fthalide"), an effective fungicide for rice blast disease. Sequential transfer culture of a paddy soil with lactate and fthalide produced a soil-free enrichment culture (designated the "KFL culture") that dechlorinated fthalide by using hydrogen, which is produced from lactate. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA genes revealed the dominance of two novel phylotypes of the genus Dehalobacter (FTH1 and FTH2) in the KFL culture. FTH1 and FTH2 disappeared during culture transfer in medium without fthalide and increased in abundance with the dechlorination of fthalide, indicating their growth dependence on the dechlorination of fthalide. Dehalobacter restrictus TEA is their closest relative, with 97.5% and 97.3% 16S rRNA gene similarities to FTH1 and FTH2, respectively.

We present a multiwavelength study of the central region of the Carina Nebula, including Trumpler 16 and part of Trumpler 14. Our analysis of the Chandra X-Ray Observatory archival data led to the identification of 454 X-ray sources. These sources were then cross-identified with optical photometric and spectroscopic information available from the literature and with newly obtained near-infrared (JHKs) imaging observations. A total of 38 known OB stars are found to be X-ray emitters. All the O stars and early-B stars follow the nominal relation between the X-ray and bolometric luminosities, LX ~ 10-7Lbol. A few mid- to late-B stars are found to be associated with X-ray emission, likely attributable to T Tauri companions. We discovered 16 OB star candidates that suffer a large extinction in the optical wave bands. Some 300 sources have the X-ray and infrared characteristics of late-type pre-main-sequence stars. Our sample represents the most comprehensive census of the young stellar population in the Carina Nebula so far and should be useful for the study of the star formation history of this massive starburst region. We also report the finding of a compact (2′ × 4′) group of 10 relatively bright X-ray sources, all of which are detected in the near-infrared wavelengths and are highly reddened. The group is spatially coincident with the dark V-shaped dust lane bisecting the Carina Nebula and may be part of an embedded association. The distribution of the young stellar groups surrounding the H II region associated with Trumpler 16 is consistent with the collect-and-collapse scenario of triggered star formation.

We present a near-infrared (JHKs) photometric catalog including 14 822 341 point sources for a 40 deg2 area of the Large Magellanic Cloud, 2 769 682 sources for an 11 deg2 area of the Small Magellanic Cloud, and 434 145 sources for a 4 deg2 area of the Magellanic Bridge. The 10σ limiting magnitudes are 18.8, 17.8, and 16.6 mag at J, H, and Ks, respectively. The photometric and astrometric accuracies for bright sources are 0.03–0.04 mag and 01. Based on the catalog, we also present color-color and color-magnitude diagrams for point sources toward the LMC that show features characteristic of MS stars, giants, AGB stars, and Herbig Ae/Be stars in the LMC and background galaxies. We also present the results of analysis for two active star-forming regions, N159/N160 and N11 in the LMC, that demonstrate the usefulness of our data for studies of star formation. Catalog data are available at http://pasj.asj.or.jp/v59/n3/590315/ and ftp://dbc.nao.ac.jp/DBC/ADACnew/.

Characterization was carried out on the anaerobic microbial consortium with enhanced degradation activity toward polychlorinated biphenyls in Kanechlor-300 and Kanechlor-400 mixtures in a burnt soil (BS) culture. The addition of molybdate to the BS culture resulted in the accumulation of less-chlorinated biphenyls such as 4,4'-dichlorinated biphenyl and 2,3',4-trichlorinated biphenyl; however, no such accumulation occurred without molybdate supplementation. No significant effect was observed in individual congeners in the BS culture supplemented with 2-bromoethane sulfonic acid. Analyses involving both the polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of partial 16S rRNA genes and respiratory quinones showed that the predominant microorganisms in the BS culture were anaerobic Firmicutes, while sulfate reducers of the phyla Deltaproteobacteria, Firmicutes and Chloroflexi were absent in the culture amended with the inhibitors. No positive correlation was observed between the dechlorination activity and a PCR-based detection of gene fragments of known dechlorinating bacteria. These results suggest that sulfate reducers played an important role in the enhanced anaerobic dechlorination of PCBs in the BS culture.

We have carried out near-infrared (NIR) imaging observations of the Carina Nebula for an area of ~400 arcmin2 including the clusters Trumpler 14 and Trumpler 16, with 10 σ limits of J ~ 18.5, H ~ 17.5, and Ks ~ 16.5 mag. A total of 544 Class II candidates, 11 Class I candidates, and 40 red (H - Ks > 2) sources have been found. The majority of the Class II candidates are found to be distributed toward the clusters, whereas most of the red NIR sources are concentrated to the southeast of Trumpler 16, along the V-shaped dust lane. We found indications of ongoing star formation near the three MSX sources, G287.51-0.49, G287.47-0.54, and G287.63-0.72, where red NIR sources and X-ray sources are seen. In particular, two hard X-ray sources are identified near G287.47-0.54, one of which does not have an NIR counterpart and may be associated with a Class I/Class 0 object. The color-magnitude diagrams of the clusters suggest very young stellar population (<3 Myr). The Ks-band luminosity function (KLF) of Trumpler 14 shows a sharp peak at the faint end, likely due to the onset of deuterium burning. The KLF of Trumpler 16, in contrast, rises smoothly until it turns over. The slopes of the mass functions derived for the clusters are in agreement with the canonical Salpeter value for the field stars.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Kanechlor-300 and -400 mixtures dissipated significantly compared with a sterilized control under anaerobic conditions in three Japanese paddy soils with no history of PCB contamination, demonstrating the anaerobic microbial degradation of PCBs. The PCB-degrading activity was maintained successfully in a static flooded soil medium for more than 3 years by serial transfer at intervals of 56 days (13 transfers). Ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted PCBs, 15.2 ± 9.9 mol% in total, were significantly degraded after 56 days of incubation. Analysis of menaquinones-6 and -7 and cloning of 16S rRNA gene fragments from a polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profile indicated the predominance of Firmicutes in the consortium. A PCR-based identification of the gene fragments showed the frequent presence of Desulfitobacterium sp., but not Dehalobacter sp. or Dehalococcoides sp., in the consortium. It is proposed that Japanese paddy soils with no history of PCB contamination contain an anaerobic microbial consortium consisting predominantly of Firmicutes that have the potential for anaerobic degradation of PCB.

Anaerobic microbial degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Kanechlors-300 and -400 was enhanced significantly by adding burnt soil originally obtained from an uncontaminated paddy soil to the microbial culture. The maximum PCB-degrading activity was 0.49 nmol-Cl/ml-culture/day (238 ng-total-PCBs/ml-culture/day), where the degradation was observed in most of the congeners in Kanechlors-300 and -400: not only in meta- and para-substituted congeners but also ortho-substituted congeners. The degradation of PCBs occurred during the increase in the microbial population with acetate as the main electron donor. The ratio between the consumption of electron donors and the dechlorination of PCBs was revealed to be 93.9 nmol-Cl/mmol-e-donor, which is also the dechlorination efficiency over 56 d of incubation. The addition of acetate and lactate several times into the culture rejuvenated the activity.