The Annealing Effects in the Iron-Based Superconductor FeTe0.8Se0.2 Prepared by the Self-Flux Method

FeTe_0.8Se_0.2 single crystals as-cast and post-annealed were prepared by the self-flux method. We have investigated the structural properties of samples by using the XRD, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and magnetic techniques. The SEM results clearly demonstrate that Te ions are quite well substituted for Se ions in the FeSe lattice for the samples. From the XRD and EDX spectra of the both samples, it has been concluded that the post-annealing causes no change in the tetragonal structure of FeTe_0.8Se_0.2. According to M–H measurements, the perfect diamagnetism has been observed only in low field at 5 and 10 K temperatures. The trend of the magnetization versus temperature curves, measured under a magnetic field of 10 Oe, also support our conclusion about diamagnetic contribution in FeTe_0.8Se_0.2 single crystal explored in this study. The as-cast and post-annealed samples show the onset of diamagnetism at temperatures, \(T_{\mathrm {c.on}}^{\text {mag}}\) , 12.45 and 13.27 K, respectively. In addition, those curves indicate that the high field value and some impurities reveal ferromagnetic interactions.     

Recent progress of high performance polymer OLED and OPV materials for organic printed electronics

The development of organic printed electronics has been expanding to a variety of applications and is expected to bring innovations to our future life. Along with this trend, high performance organic materials with cost-efficient fabrication processes and specific features such as thin, light weight, bendable, and low power consumption are required. A variety of organic materials have been investigated in the development of this field. The basic guidelines for material design and the recent progress of polymer-based organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs) are reported.     

PEGylated antibody in organic media

Antibodies were covalently conjugated with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and the properties of the PEGylated antibodies in organic media were investigated. Two types of monoclonal antibody were used in this study. One was a monoclonal antibody (abzyme) that was prepared against a hapten mimicking a transition state of hydrolysis. Another was a monoclonal antibody against estrogen, which is not soluble in water. By electrophoresis and mass spectral analysis, the covalent conjugation with PEG chains was confirmed. The PEGylated antibodies bound to antigens and the PEGylated abzyme catalyzed a hydrolysis reaction in an aqueous solution. The PEGylated antibodies were soluble in dichloromethane and acetone and interacted with antigen either in dichloromethane or in acetone. In conclusion, PEGylated antibodies can be employed as analytical tools for water-insoluble analytes.     

A close correlation in the expression patterns of Af-6 and Usp9x in Sertoli and granulosa cells of mouse testis and ovary

Usp9x, an X-linked deubiquitylating enzyme, is stage dependently expressed in the supporting cells (i.e. Sertoli cells and granulosa cells) and germ cells during mouse gametogenesis. Af-6, a cell junction protein, has been identified as a substrate of Usp9x, suggesting a possible association between Usp9x and Af-6 in spermatogenesis and oogenesis. In this study, we examined the expression pattern of Af-6 and Usp9x and their intracellular localization in testes and ovaries of mice treated with or without pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), an FSH-like hormone. In both testes and ovaries, Af-6 expression was predominantly observed in supporting cells, as well as in steroidogenic cells, but not in any germ cells. In Sertoli cells, Af-6 was continuously expressed throughout postnatal and adult stages, where both Af-6 and Usp9x were enriched at the sites of Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-spermatid junctions especially at stages XI-VI. In the granulosa cells, Af-6, as well as Usp9x, was highly expressed in primordial and primary follicles, but its expression rapidly decreased after the late-secondary follicle stage. Interestingly, in PMSG-treated mice, the expression levels of Af-6 and Usp9x were synchronously enhanced, slightly in Sertoli cells and strongly in granulosa cells of the late-secondary and Graafian follicles. Such closely correlated expression patterns between Af-6 and Usp9x clearly suggest that Af-6 may be deubiquitylated by Usp9x in both Sertoli and granulosa cells. It further suggests that the post-translational regulation of Af-6 by Usp9x may be one potential pathway to control the cell adhesion dynamics in mammalian gametogenesis.     

High-yield production of hydrogen by Enterobacter aerogenes mutants with decreased alpha-acetolactate synthase activity

To enhance hydrogen (H2) production from glucose by Enterobacter aerogenes HU-101, two mutants, strains VP-1 and VP-2, with decreased alpha-acetolactate synthase activity, were isolated using the Voges-Proskauer (VP) test. In pH-uncontrolled batch culture, both mutants showed a lower 2,3-butanediol yield for the glucose consumed than that shown by the wild-type strain, although glucose remained in the medium after 12 h of culture. In the same cultures, compared to the H2 yield of 0.80 mol/mol-glucose of the wild-type strain, strain VP-1 showed a high H2 yield of 1.8 mol/mol-glucose with decreased lactate and increased succinate yields, while strain VP-2 showed an H2 yield of 1.0 mol/mol-glucose with an increased lactate yield. Increasing the phosphate buffer concentration, which contributes to maintaining the pH in the medium, increased the glucose consumption by both strains. However, in a pH-controlled batch culture at neutral pH, the H2 yield of strain VP-1 was decreased to 1.2 mol/mol-glucose due to the accumulation of formate, an intermediate of the H2-producing pathway, with the yield of H2 plus formate being 1.7 mol/mol-glucose.     

Cloning of a novel tyrosinase-encoding gene (melB) from Aspergillus oryzae and its overexpression in solid-state culture (Rice Koji)

We have cloned a novel tyrosinase-encoding gene (melB) specifically expressed in solid-state culture of Aspergillus oryzae. A tyrosinase-encoding gene (melO) from A. oryzae was already cloned and the protein structures of its catalytic and copper binding domains were investigated. However, our recent results revealed that the melO gene was highly expressed in submerged culture but not in solid-state culture. Because tyrosinase activity was also detected in solid-state culture, we assumed that another tyrosinase gene other than melO is expressed in solid-state culture. Another tyrosinase gene was screened using the expressed sequence tag (EST) library. One redundant cDNA clone homologous with the tyrosinase gene was found in the collection of wheat bran culture. Northern blot analysis revealed that the gene corresponding to the cDNA clone was specifically expressed in solid-state culture (koji making), but not in submerged culture. Molecular cloning showed that the gene carried six exons interrupted by five introns and had an open reading frame encoding 616 amino acid residues. This gene was designated as melB. The deduced amino acid sequence of the gene had weak homology (24%-33%) with MelO and other fungal tyrosinases but the sequences of the copper binding domains were highly conserved. When the melB gene was expressed under the control of the glaB promoter in solid-state culture, tyrosinase activity was markedly enhanced and the culture mass was browned with the melanization by MelB tyrosinase. These results indicated that the melB gene encodes a novel tyrosinase associated with melanization in solid-state culture.     

Application of Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy to optimization of green tea steaming process conditions

In this study, we constructed prediction models by metabolic fingerprinting of fresh green tea leaves using Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy and partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis to objectively optimize of the steaming process conditions in green tea manufacture. The steaming process is the most important step for manufacturing high quality green tea products. However, the parameter setting of the steamer is currently determined subjectively by the manufacturer. Therefore, a simple and robust system that can be used to objectively set the steaming process parameters is necessary. We focused on FT-NIR spectroscopy because of its simple operation, quick measurement, and low running costs. After removal of noise in the spectral data by principal component analysis (PCA), PLS regression analysis was performed using spectral information as independent variables, and the steaming parameters set by experienced manufacturers as dependent variables. The prediction models were successfully constructed with satisfactory accuracy. Moreover, the results of the demonstrated experiment suggested that the green tea steaming process parameters could be predicted on a larger manufacturing scale. This technique will contribute to improvement of the quality and productivity of green tea because it can objectively optimize the complicated green tea steaming process and will be suitable for practical use in green tea manufacture.     

A simple and reproducible testing method for dialkyl phthalate migration from polyvinyl chloride products into saliva simulant

We describe a method of mechanical agitation to determine rates of dialkyl phthalate migration from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products into saliva simulant. The method consists of rotary shaking of a sample with 30 mL of saliva simulant (pH 7.0) at 35 degrees C in a 50 mL glass tube at 300 rpm for 15 min, then measuring the amount of dialkyl phthalate in the saliva simulant by HPLC with a UV detector. The migration rates of diisononyl phthalate (DINP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) from PVC plates containing about 45% (w/w) plasticizer (molded in our laboratory) were identical. However, the migration rates from molded plates containing 13% (w/w) DBP were almost double those of DINP and DEHP at the same ratios. In addition, the amounts of DINP that migrated in vitro after rotary shaking for 15 min were equivalent to those in vivo determined in saliva from volunteers who chewed plates for 60 min. The migration rates of dialkyl phthalates from 11 commercially available toys ranged from 15.6 to 85.2 micrograms/cm2/h [relative standard deviation (RSD), 3 to 12%].     

Role of chlorine in combustion field in formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans during waste incineration

Combustion experiments performed in the presence of hydrogen chloride (HCl) in a laboratory-scale fluidized-bed reactor were carried out to elucidate the role of chlorine in the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs; together: PCDD/Fs) in various sections of a municipal waste incinerator. We first demonstrated that the homologue profile and the pattern of the congener proportions of PCDD/Fs for a model waste containing poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) combusted in the absence of HCl were similar to those for a PVC-free waste combusted in the presence of HCl. This showed no difference between PVC in the waste and injected HCl in the role as a chlorine source in PCDD/F formation during incineration. Next, to investigate PCDD/F formation in each section of the incinerator, we carried out combustion experiments with the PVC-free waste, injecting HCl at different locations of the incinerator. The amounts of PCDDs and PCDFs formed were significantly reduced when HCI was not supplied to the main combustion section. The presence of HCI in the main combustion section was essential for the formation of PCDD/Fs, even in the downstream sections. This finding indicates that compounds that were able to form PCDD/Fs in the downstream sections were mainly formed in the main combustion section in the presence of HCl.