An efficient and simple method for the synthesis of symmetric macromolecules by photoinduced switching from radical polymerization to a radical coupling reaction is reported. Structurally well-defined telechelic polyisoprenes and ABA-triblock copolymers were prepared by successive organotellurium-mediated living radical polymerization (TERP) under thermal conditions, followed by a polymer-end radical coupling reaction under photoirradiation.

Economic growth in recent years has induced a labor shortage for agriculture in north-east Thailand. Labor-saving techniques, such as the replacement of transplanting with direct seeding, have become widespread. Direct seeding methods have advantages over transplanting regarding labor savings and reductions in production risks, but may cause weed problems. Therefore, rice yield reduction by competition with weeds becomes a potential problem in this region. In the present research, the extent of weed competition in rice production from the viewpoint of resource level and disturbance intensity was studied. A large number of paddy fields from a wide range of climatic, topographical, soil and hydrological conditions were analyzed. The survey was conducted every 3 weeks, and data on paddy cultivation, weeds and water conditions were recorded. Average yield of direct seeded rice was significantly lower than that of transplanted rice. The yield decreased with resource decreases in both direct seeded (DSF) and transplanted paddy fields (TF). Although the yield was not different under resource-rich conditions, the yield of direct seeded rice was lower than that of transplanted rice under resource-medium and -poor conditions. Competition intensity was not different among resource levels or between DSF and TF. Competition intensity in all fields was between 0.02 and 0.09 on average, indicating 2-9% yield losses caused by competition with weeds regardless of resource level and disturbance intensity. This suggests that low yield of direct seeded rice under resource-medium and -poor conditions was not mainly caused by competition with weeds, whereas yield losses by weeds were observed in all field types. However, from an economical viewpoint, weeding should be applied only to limited parts of this region with stable and relatively high rice yields.north-eastern region (approximately 56% of the total rice planted area) and 95% of paddy cultivation is conducted under rainfed conditions (OAE 1999). Paper Effect of weeds on rice yieldS. Tomita et al.

Rainfed paddy cultivation predominates in north‐east Thailand. Direct dry seeding is replacing transplanting rice cultivation to increase the frequency of successful plantings and to save labor. The present study clarified differences in weed vegetation of direct dry‐seeded and transplanted paddy fields under rich, medium and poor water conditions from agricultural and ecological viewpoints. A large number of paddy fields from a wide range of climatic, topographic, soil and hydrological conditions were used. A survey was conducted every three weeks, and data regarding paddy cultivation, weeds and water conditions were collected. Expansion of direct dry seeding may increase species with in‐between water adaptability to hygrophytes and mesophytes, and decrease hydrophytes and mesophytes. This characteristic was remarkable under poor water conditions. Rice cover was similar in either planting method under rich water conditions. However, cover of direct‐seeded rice was significantly smaller than that of transplanted rice under medium and poor water conditions. Species diversity was higher in direct dry‐seeded paddy fields than in transplanted paddy fields under medium and poor water conditions. Impact of direct dry seeding in the fields with rich water conditions on the vegetation is small in the context of maintaining rice production by transplanting and species diversity. However, direct dry seeding is mainly adopted in fields with poor water conditions. Impact of the changes in cultivating methods is large on rice productivity, species composition and species diversity under such conditions. Therefore, how to best use resource‐poor fields may be the key to maintaining rice production and regional‐level species diversity.

Abstract. The Auroral Electrojet (AE) indices, which are composed of four indices (AU, AL, AE, and AO), are calculated from the geomagnetic field data obtained at 12 geomagnetic observatories that are located in geomagnetic latitude (GMLAT) of 61.7 • -70 • . The indices have been widely used to study magnetic activity in the auroral zone. In the present study, we examine magnetic local time (MLT) dependence of geomagnetic field variations contributing to the AU and AL indices. We use 1-min geomagnetic field data obtained in 2003. It is found that both AU and AL indices have two ranges of MLT

In north‐east Thailand where rainfed paddy cultivation is commonplace, direct dry seeding is replacing transplanting to increase the frequency of successful plantings and to save labor. The present study shows the impact of this change on paddy vegetation from agricultural and ecological viewpoints. One hundred and seventy‐nine paddy fields from a wide range of climatic, topography, soil and hydrological conditions were used in this study. Authors visited these fields every 3 weeks during the rainy seasons of 1996–1998 to collect data about water conditions, rice growth, progress of cultivation, paddy vegetation and roughness (unevenness) of the soil surface. Analysis of this data revealed that direct dry seeded fields are resource‐poor and have a wider range of water conditions within a field than transplanted fields due to a rougher soil surface. This results in lower productivity of total vegetation for rice growing in direct dry seeded fields. However, weed productivity was not significantly different between the direct dry seeding and transplanted fields. Direct dry seeded fields have more species‐rich vegetation and greater diversity than the transplanted fields. Previous planting methods for particular fields did not influence productivity and diversity of paddy vegetation. It is concluded that the use of direct dry seeding increases biomass production of rice and the diversity of the paddy vegetation. The present results also suggest that an analytical framework be used to integrate agricultural and ecological studies of paddy vegetation in order to harmonize agricultural productivity with biological diversity.