Identification of a key prenyltransferase involved in biosynthesis of the most abundant fungal meroterpenoids derived from 3,5-dimethylorsellinic acid

Destroying aromaticity: A novel prenyltransferase (Trt2) involved in fungal meroterpenoid biosynthesis was shown to catalyze an unusual aromatic addition reaction onto a fully substituted aromatic ring. The prenylated product serves as a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of the most abundant series of meroterpenoids in fungi.     

Thermal Behavior of Caged Silsesquioxane (POSS) Studied by Molecular Dynamics Simulations

In order to simulate the thermal behavior of one of the most useful inorganic–organic hybrid materials, octa-functional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of crystals of POSSs having methyl, i-butyl, and cyclopentyl substituents were performed using the universal force field. The crystal structures obtained by the MD calculations were in good agreement with those reported based on experimental results. On the basis of their molecular expansion behaviors, the lattice lengths were also evaluated, from which the expansion of each lattice length as a function of temperature was found to be dependent upon the substituents.     

Formation of Nb2O5 matrix and Vis-NIR absorption in Nb-Ge-O thin film

ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the crystal structure and optical absorption of Ge-doped Nb-oxide (Nb-Ge-O) thin films prepared by RF sputtering. A wide-gap material, Nb2O5, is selectively produced as a matrix to disperse Ge nanocrystals through compositional optimization with Ge chip numbers and oxygen ratio in argon. The optical-absorption spectra are obviously shifted to visible (vis) and near-infrared (NIR) regions, suggesting that a composite thin film with Ge nanocrystals dispersed in Nb2O5 matrix exhibits quantum-size effects. Accordingly, the two valuable characteristics of the Nb2O5 matrix and the vis-NIR absorption are found to be retained simultaneously in Nb-Ge-O thin films.     

Purification and characterization of phytase from Klebsiella pneumoniae 9-3B

Phytase, an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of phytate, was purified from Klebsiella pneumoniae 9-3B. The isolate was preferentially selected in a medium which contains phytate as a sole carbon and phosphate source. Phytic acid was utilized for growth and consequently stimulated phytase production. Phytase production was detected throughout growth and the highest phytase production was observed at the onset of stationary phase. The purification scheme including ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration resulted in a 240 and 2077 fold purification of the enzyme with 2% and 15% recovery of the total activity for liberation of inorganic phosphate and inositol, respectively. The purified phytase was a monomeric protein with an estimated molecular weight of 45kDa based on size exclusion chromatography and SDS-PAGE analyses. The phytase has an optimum pH of 4.0 and optimum temperature of 50°C. The phytase activity was slightly stimulated by Ca(2+) and EDTA and inhibited by Zn(2+) and Fe(2+). The phytase exhibited broad substrate specificity and the K(m) value for phytate was 0.04mM. The enzyme completely hydrolyzed myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (phytate) to myo-inositol and inorganic phosphate. The properties of the enzyme prove that it is a good candidate for the hydrolysis of phytate for industrial applications.     

Inactivation property of microorganisms in water irradiated by atmospheric‐pressure plasma using dielectric barrier discharge

Microorganisms in water were inactivated by irradiating with an atmospheric‐pressure plasma generated by a dielectric barrier discharge. To understand the inactivation mechanism of microorganisms, the actions due to irradiation with plasma discharge, heating, and chemical reaction are studied. We compare the buffer gases helium and argon in generating the atmospheric‐pressure plasma. The results indicate that the inactivation with the helium as buffer gas is higher than with argon. It is found that the inactivation ratio at different reactor volumes depends on the density of microorganisms in water. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Identification of milk proteins enhancing the antimicrobial activity of lactoferrin and lactoferricin

Lactoferrin (LF) is known as an iron-binding antimicrobial protein present in exocrine secretions such as milk and releases the potent antimicrobial peptide lactoferricin (LFcin) by hydrolysis with pepsin. The antimicrobial activity of LF and LFcin has been studied well; however, their cooperative action with other milk proteins remains to be elucidated. In this study, we identified milk proteins enhancing the antimicrobial activity of bovine LF and LFcin against gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and fungi. As the target fraction, we isolated a minor milk protein fraction around 15 kDa, which was identified as bovine RNase 5 (angiogenin-1), RNase 4, and angiogenin-2 by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. As these proteins are collectively known as the RNase A family, we referred to the target protein fraction as milk RNase of 15 kDa (MR15). The number of colony-forming units of Escherichia coli and other pathogenic microorganisms with the addition of MR15 to LF (MR15:LF ratio = 16:1,000) was dramatically lowered than that with LF alone. On the other hand, MR15 itself did not show any reductions in the number of colony-forming units at the concentrations tested. Similarly, the antimicrobial activities of LFcin against various microorganisms were significantly enhanced by the addition of MR15. These results suggest that LF and MR15 may be concomitantly acting antimicrobial agents in milk.     

Finite element analysis of single layer forming on metallic powder bed in rapid prototyping by selective laser processing

A method for calculating the distribution of temperature and stress within a single metallic layer formed on the powder bed in rapid prototyping with the selective laser melting method is proposed. The solidified layer is assumed to be subjected to plane-stress deformation and the two-dimensional finite element methods for heat conduction and elastic deformation are combined. In the simulation, the finite element mesh is constructed on the surface of the powder bed. The heat caused by laser irradiation is given to the elements under the laser beam. Shrinkage due to solidification is assumed to result in only the change of the layer thickness. In the elastic finite element simulation, the Young's modulus of the solidified part is expressed as a function of temperature. To simplify the calculation, the whole area is treated to be continuous, and the powder bed and the molten part are assumed to have a very small Young's modulus. The heat conduction and the elastic finite element calculations are carried out alternately. The obtained results of deformation and tensile stress distribution show the possibility and places of cracking of the layer during forming.     

Development of Adsorption Steam Generator without the Fossil Fuels Consumption

Reducing CO2 emissions and restraining dependence on nuclear power generation are serious concerns in the prevention of global warming since the Great East Japan Earthquake. To do so, it is necessary to use and expand natural renewable energy source such as solar energy and to promote energy conservation. However, in high-latitude regions, it is difficult to directly and effectively use solar power due to on insufficient amount of solar radiation. If steam can be generated from warm water at less than 373 K, it is possible to obtain steam by solar water heaters from weak solar radiation and industrial waste warm water without the consumption of any fossil fuels. In this study, the authors have been developing a system which generates steam over 423 K from warm water at less than 373 K using an adsorption heat pump with zeolite. Therefore, bench-scale equipment which generates steam continuously and the experimental results are mentioned.     

Revisiting Stainless Steel as PWR Fuel Rod Cladding after Fukushima Daiichi Accident

In the past, stainless steel was utilized as cladding in many PWRs （pressurized water reactors）, and its performance under irradiation was excellent. However, stainless steel was replaced by zirconium-based alloy as cladding material mainly due to its lower neutron absorption cross section. Now, stainless steel cladding appears as a possible solution for safety problems related to hydrogen production and explosion as occurred in Fukushima Daiichi accident. The aim of this paper is to discuss the steady-state irradiation performance using stainless steel as cladding. The results show that stainless steel rods display higher fuel temperatures and wider pellet-cladding gaps than Zircaloy rods and no gap closure. The thermal performance of the two rods is very similar and the neutron absorption penalty due to stainless steel use could be compensating by combining small increase in U-235 enrichment and pitch size changes.