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A genome-wide scan for QTL affecting economically important traits in beef production was performed using an F2resource family from a Japanese Black × Limousin cross, where 186 F2animals were measured for growth, carcass, and meat-quality traits. All family members were genotyped for 313 informative microsatellite markers that spanned 2,382 cM of bovine autosomes. The centromeric region of BTA2 contained significant QTL (i.e., exceeding the genome-wide 5% threshold) for 5 carcass grading traits [LM area, beef marbling standards (BMS) number, luster, quality grade, and firmness), 8 computer image analysis (CIA) traits [LM lean area, ratio of fat area (RFA) to LM area, LM area, RFA to musculus (M.) trapezius area, M. trapezius lean area, M. semispinalis lean area, RFA to M. semispinalis area, and RFA to M. semispinalis capitis area], and 5 meat quality traits (contents of CP, crude fat, moisture, C16:1, and C18:2 of LM). A significant QTL for withers height was detected at 80.3 cM on BTA5. We detected significant QTL for the C14:0 content in backfat and C14:0 and C14:1 content in intermuscular fat around the 62.3 to 71.0 cM region on BTA19 and for C14:0, C14:1, C18:1, and C16:0 content and ratio of total unsaturated fatty acid content to total SFA content in intramuscular fat at 2 different regions on BTA19 (41.1 cM for C14:1 and 62.3 cM for the other 4 traits). Overall, we identified 9 significant QTL regions controlling 27 traits with genome-wide significance of 5%; of these, 22 traits exceeded the 1% genome-wide threshold. Some of the QTL affecting meat quality traits detected in this study might be the same QTL as previously reported. The QTL we identified need to be validated in commercial Japanese Black cattle populations.

The isotopically induced ferroelectric phase transition of SrTi 18 O 3 , where 87% of oxygen atoms 16 O are exchanged for its isotope 18 O, has been studied by both Brillouin- and Raman scattering. On cooling run, at several degrees above the temperature where the dielectric constant takes a maximum value, the Brillouin spectrum of the c 44 mode in the paraelectric-tetragonal phase begins to split into two transverse acoustic modes. One of them shows a drastic softening with a dip on the spectrum characteristic for coupling with a central peak component. Though the ferroelectric soft A 2 u mode is Raman inactive in the paraelectric phase, it has been observed in the x ( yz )- x geometry indicating a local symmetry breaking. These anomalies suggest existence of a local distribution of the ferroelectric transition point caused by the ferroelectric micro-region.

The isotopically induced ferroelectric phase transition of SrTi 18 O 3 , where 87% of oxygen atoms 16 O are exchanged for its isotope 18 O, has been studied by both Brillouin- and Raman scattering. On cooling run, at several degrees above the temperature where the dielectric constant takes a maximum value, the Brillouin spectrum of the c 44 mode in the paraelectric-tetragonal phase begins to split into two transverse acoustic modes. One of them shows a drastic softening with a dip on the spectrum characteristic for coupling with a central peak component. Though the ferroelectric soft A 2 u mode is Raman inactive in the paraelectric phase, it has been observed in the x ( yz )- x geometry indicating a local symmetry breaking. These anomalies suggest existence of a local distribution of the ferroelectric transition point caused by the ferroelectric micro-region.

Human cortical areas activated in relation to vergence eye movements were determined using positron emission tomography. Binocular disparity-driven visual stimuli were presented using a head-mounted display. Eye movements were monitored continuously by an infrared limbus tracker. A combination of a bar and a cross was used as the target. In the vergence task, subjects were instructed to follow an approaching bar, while ignoring a stationary cross. Activation in relation to vergence eye movement was discriminated from activation in relation to motion vision by using the ignore-bar task as the control. In the ignore-bar task, subjects were instructed to fixate on a stationary cross, while ignoring an approaching bar. The fixation task was used as the basic control for both the vergence and the ignore-bar tasks. Areas of activation in relation to vergence eye movements were found in the bilateral temporooccipital junction, the left inferior parietal lobule, and the right fusiform gyrus by comparing regional cerebral flow between the vergence and ignore-bar tasks and by the conjunctive analyses of vergence-vs-ignore comparison with vergence-vs-fixation comparison.

In order to judge the quality of tobacco leaf, it is necessary to conduct sensory smoke evaluations. However, these are subjective and the results are difficult to quantify. Therefore, we have attempted to establish a quantitative method for evaluating tobacco quality by comparing results of headspace analysis. Forty-seven leaf samples of different types (flue-cured, Burley, Oriental) were analyzed. The first step in this study was to have a panel of experts smoke cigarettes made from the test tobaccos and have them evaluate 10 sensory attributes. The scores were then analyzed by the technique of principal component analysis (PCA). Results showed that the score for the flavor note attribute indicated the type of tobacco and the scores of the other 9 attributes were combined as a total to indicate smoking quality. Following the sensory study, headspace vapors of the test tobaccos were analyzed with a headspace sampler, gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy system (HS-GC-MS), in which the gas sampling loop and the HS-GC transfer line were deactivated. In order to obtain conditions for good reproducibility, the heating temperature and time of the headspace vials were examined. PCA was performed for the headspace vapor (HSV) analysis results for 31 selected peaks. The first and second principal components could be used to classify tobacco types. The third principal component partially indicated differences of smoking qualities. Finally, multiple regression analysis was performed on the HSV analysis results in order to estimate the smoking quality scores. The regression model of all samples combined had a low regression coefficient. Then, we separated the results of the three tobacco types, as we considered that the headspace data might reveal information about the classifications themselves. The final outcome was a regression model that could be applied to each type with a higher accuracy. The variables that entered the models were compared.

Octa(dodecyl)etrapyrazinoporphyrazine (C12)8PzH2 the corresponding metal (II) complexes (C12)8PzM3M: Cu, Ni, Co, octa(2-ethylhexyl)tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine (2-EtC6)8PzH2 and the corresponding copper (II) complex (2-EtC6)8PzCu have been synthesized and their liquid crystalline states characterized. These properties have been compared to those of the corresponding phthalocyanines. The metal free (C12)8P2H2 derivative forms a hexagonal disordered columnar mesophase (Dhd) like (C12)8PcH2, whereas (C12)8PzM2 (M: Cu, Ni, Co) lead to centered rectangular disordered columnar mesophases (Drd). The branched chain substituted metal free derivative (2-EtC6)8PzH2 leads to a tetragonal mesophase as (2-EtC6O)8PcH2. (2-EtC6O)8PcCu forms an oblique mesophase, whereas (2-EtC6)8PzCu leads to an unidentified liquid crystal. The tetrapyrazinoporphyrazine compounds are the first π-acceptor columnar mesogens; the half-wave reduction potentials are -0.41 V.or (C12)8PzH2 and -0.55 V.or (C12)8PzM.M: Cu, Ni). In comparison, phthalocyanine derivatives are reduced at -0.94 V.or (2-EtC6O)8PcH2 and - 1.05 V.or (2-EtC6O)8PcZn.

A new synthetic method to obtain only trans-isomers of 4,4'-di(n-alkyl)stilbenes is reported. It was found that these series of alkyl-substituted stilbenes exhibit two and three mesophases for n = 8, 9 and 10 and n = 11 and 12 respectively. The identification of the liquid crystalline phases has been carried out by miscibility tests, microscopic observations and X-ray measurements. The present study shows that all mesophases are characterized by a monolayer structure with either a pseudohexagonal (SG) or a herringbone (SH) arrangement of the molecular planes.

Chemical behavior of acylpolysilanes, (Me3Si)3SiCOR (1a, R = Mes; 1b, R = o-Tol; 1c, R = Ad; 1d, R = t-Bu; 1g, R = Ph; 1h, R = Me), toward silyllithium reagents has been studied. Reactions of 1a−d with [tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]lithium gave the corresponding lithium silenolates, (Me3Si)2Si&dbd;CROLi (5a, R = Mes; 5b, R = o-Tol; 5c, R = Ad; 5d, R = t-Bu), in high yield by removal of a trimethylsilyl group from the acylpolysilane. However, a similar reaction of 1g gave an unstable lithium silenolate, which undergoes dimerization and then further reactions under the conditions used. Acetylpolysilane 1h did not afford the lithium silenolate but gave lithium [tris(trimethylsilyl)silyl]ethenolate. Lithium silenolate 5a was produced also by treating 1a with (dimethylphenylsilyl)lithium. The reactions of 1b,c with (dimethylphenylsilyl)lithium proceed in a different fashion from that of 1a to afford products arising from addition of the silyllithium to the carbonyl bond as major products. Lithium silenolates 5a,c,d are stable at low temperature in THF solution and can be characterized by NMR spectroscopy. Silenolates 5a−d reacted with alkyl halides to afford Si-alkylated products in high yield. Treatment of 5a,b with chlorotriethylsilane led to the formation of silenes arising from O-silylation of the lithium silenolates, almost quantitatively, while 5c,d gave the corresponding acylpolysilanes by Si-silylation in high yield. Results of theoretical studies which were carried out using the reaction of (H3Si)3SiCOCH3 with H3SiLi as a model also are described.

Five new bis(β-diketonato) copper (II) complexes, bis[1-(p-n-alkoxybiphenyl)-3-alkylpropane-1,3-dion- ato] copper (II) complexes [abbreviated as CnO-Comp-Cm: n = m = 4, 8, 12; (n. m) = (8, 4), (12. 4)] have been synthesized and characterized. It was found that the complexes exhibit nematic mesomorphism. C4, C8O-Comp-C4 and C4O-Comp-C4 have an enantiotropic nematic mesophase. C12O-Comp-C4, C8O-Comp-C8 and C1220-Comp-C12, have not a discotic columnar mesophase but a monotropic nematic mesophase: moreover, they exhibit helical formation, which can be thought to be extremely close to discotic columnar mesomorphism.

A novel series of bis(p-n-alkoxybiphenylbutane-1,3-dionato)copper(II) complexes (n-alkoxy = CnH2n+1, O, n = 8 ∼ 12, 16, 18) have been synthesized and characterized. The CnO-Cu complexes for n = 9 ∼ 12, 16, and 18 have a unique dimer discotic rectangular ordered columnar (D10 mesophase. The X-ray diffraction powder pattern of the D10 mesophase of the C16O-Cu complex at 185d`C gave the intradimer distance 5.12 Å, the interdimer distance in the column 9.40 A, and the two-dimensional rectangular lattice constants a = 46.8 Å, b = 16.7 Å. The type of the present D10, mesophase could be assigned as D10 (C2/m).

4-n-Alkoxy-4'-acetylbiphenyl(CnO-A: 8 ∼ 12, 16, 18) and p-n-alkoxybiphenylbutane-1,3-dione(CnO- Lig: 8 ∼ 12,16, 18) have been synthesized and characterized. The CnO-A (n = 8 ∼ 12, 16) derivatives have a smectic E mesophase. The CnO-Lig(n = 8 ∼ 12, 16, 18) have two mesophases, smectic E and smectic A mesophases. Interestingly, each of the CnO-Lig(n = 8 ∼ 12) compounds has three crystalline polymorphs. The CnO-Lig derivatives for n = 8, 10, and 12 show two types of double melting behavior via the smectic E mesophase. The CnO-Lig derivatives for n = 9 and 11 exhibit triple melting behavior via the smectic E mesophase.

We have used the pulse-radiolysis time-resolved microwave conductivity technique (PR-TRMC) to study the charge transport properties of the free-radical sandwich complex bis(octakis(dodecyloxy)phthalocyaninato)lutetium(III), [(C12O)8Pc]2Lu. This compound displays multimesomorphic thermotropic behavior with two columnar liquid crystalline phases, Dx and Dh, between the freshly precipitated crystalline solid at room temperature, Kv, and the isotropic liquid, I, at 196 °C. In contrast with all other discotic materials previously studied using the PR-TRMC technique, the mobility of charge carriers is found to increase markedly at the transition from the Kv phase to the first columnar mesophase, Dx. The mobility displays a further substantial increase on entering the higher temperature hexagonal columnar phase, Dh. The intracolumnar mobility determined just above the Dx → Dh transition temperature of 90 °C is 0.17 × 10^-4 m²/(V s), which is the highest yet determined for a columnar liquid crystalline material. The decay kinetics of the mobile charge carriers show a complex dependence on temperature with a first half-life that increases by orders of magnitude at the K → Dx and Dx → Dh transitions. The results are discussed in terms of both intramolecular and intermolecular structural changes.

The enzymic activity of Mg2+-or Ca2+-stimulated ATPase fromEscherichia coliwas inhibited by one of the troponin components, TN-I, and by mitochondrial ATPase inhibitor (F1-inhibitor). The inhibitory ability of component TN-I against Mg2+-stimulated ATPase activity was lost after digestion of component TN-I with trypsin. The Mg2+-stimulated ATPase activity inhibited by component TN-I was completely restored by the addition of another troponin component, TN-C.