Alcadeina (Alca) is an evolutionarily conserved type I membrane protein expressed in neurons. We show here that Alca strongly associates with kinesin light chain (K D E4-8 Â10 À9 M) through a novel tryptophan-and aspartic acid-containing sequence. Alca can induce kinesin-1 association with vesicles and functions as a novel cargo in axonal anterograde transport. JNK-interacting protein 1 (JIP1), an adaptor protein for kinesin-1, perturbs the transport of Alca, and the kinesin-1 motor complex dissociates from Alca-containing vesicles in a JIP1 concentration-dependent manner. Alca-containing vesicles were transported with a velocity different from that of amyloid b-protein precursor (APP)-containing vesicles, which are transported by the same kinesin-1 motor. Alca-and APP-containing vesicles comprised mostly separate populations in axons in vivo. Interactions of Alca with kinesin-1 blocked transport of APP-containing vesicles and increased b-amyloid generation. Inappropriate interactions of Alc-and APP-containing vesicles with kinesin-1 may promote aberrant APP metabolism in Alzheimer's disease.

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The scenarios for conventional puddling and no-tilling rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation were compared in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from paddy fields, fuel consumption and manufacturing of invested materials using a life cycle inventory (LCI) based analysis. Only the differences between the scenarios were examined. The no-tilling scenario omitted both tilling and puddling, but included spraying of a nonselective herbicide and used a transplanter equipped with a rotor. Fertilization was a basal single application of controlled release fertilizer in nursery boxes for all scenarios. After transplanting, there were no differences in machine work, invested materials or rice yields between the scenarios. The no-tilling scenario saved on fuel consumption, totaling carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) output of 42 kg ha, which was equal to the 6% reported GHG emissions from fuel consumption by operating machines during rice production in Japan. Methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions from the paddy fields were also monitored and compared for the scenarios. Methane has a major effect on global warming as part of the GHG emitted from paddy fields. The cumulative CH 4 emissions from the no-tilling cultivation were 43% lower than those from conventional puddling cultivation because the plow layer was more oxidative in no-tilling cultivation. The N 2 O emissions were not significantly different between the cultivation scenarios. There were no significant differences in soil respiration, soil carbon contents or straw yields between the cultivation scenarios. The effect of tillage on CO 2 flux in the paddy fields did not seem to be significant in this study. Consequently, the GHG emissions from the no-tilling field counted as CO 2 using global warming potentials were 1,741 kg CO 2 ha −1 lower than those from the conventional puddling field. In conclusion, no-tilling rice cultivation has the potential to save 1,783 kg CO 2 ha −1 calculated using the sum of fuel consumption and GHG emissions from paddy fields. No-tilling rice cultivation is considered to be environmentally friendly agriculture with respect to reducing GHG emissions.

Objectives: To identify perceived barriers to residents' questioning or challenging their seniors, to determine how these barriers affect decisions, and to assess how these barriers differ across cultures. Method: A written questionnaire was administered to residents in teaching hospitals in the US and Japan to assess factors affecting residents' willingness to question or challenge their superiors. The responses were analyzed for statistical significance of differences between the two cultures and to determine the importance of issues affecting decisions. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 175 US and 65 Japanese residents, with an overall response rate of 71%. Trainees from both countries believe that questioning and challenging contribute to safety. The perceived importance of specific beliefs about the workplace differed across cultures in seven out of 22 questions. Residents' decisions to make a challenge were related to the relationships and perceived response of the superiors. There was no statistical difference between the US and Japanese residents in terms of the threshold for challenging their seniors. Conclusion:We have identified attributes of residents' beliefs of communication, including several crosscultural differences in the importance of values and issues affecting one's decision to question or challenge. In contrast, there was no difference in the threshold for challenging seniors by the Japanese and US residents studied. Changes in organizational and professional culture may be as important, if not more so, than national culture to encourage ''speaking up''. Residents should be encouraged to overcome barriers to challenging, and training programs should foster improved relationships and communication between trainers and trainees.

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