Detection of pathogenic bacteria by using zinc finger protein fused with firefly luciferase

We constructed a novel bacterial genome detection system using zinc finger protein (ZF) fused with firefly luciferase (ZF-luciferase). Taking advantage of the direct recognition of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) by ZF, we previously constructed bacterial genome detection systems that did not require dehybridization processes. To detect polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products rapidly and with a high sensitivity, we constructed two kinds of ZF-luciferase, Sp1-fused luciferase (Sp1-luciferase), and Zif268-fused luciferase (Zif268-luciferase). ZF-luciferase not only maintains luciferase activity but also shows dsDNA-binding ability and specificity. Furthermore, we succeeded in the detection of 10 copies of the genome of Legionella pneumophila and Escherichia coli O157. ZF-luciferase would be a useful tool for highly sensitive detection of pathogenic bacterial genome.     

Preparation of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester Langmuir-Blodgett bulk hetero junctions on indium tin oxide

Mono-layers of aggregated Poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) molecules were obtained by using solutions of P3HT, PCBM and P3HT-PCBM mixture without stabilizers such as stearates in chloroform at an air-water interface. 1 to 10 cycle-lifted LB films of P3HT and PCBM were successfully transferred to cleaned bare indium-tin-oxide coated glass substrate by vertical lifting method excluding the first 1 to 2 cycle layer. The dependence of P3HT and PCBM film thickness on the transfer cycles has been explained by the molecular sizes, where four edge-on P3HT molecular and six PCBM molecular stacking which result in thickness was taken into account. Work functions of deposited LB-layers were consistent with those of the ordinary casted films. P3HT and PCBM LB-layers showed optical activity in both infra-red (IR) and visible absorption regions of the spectrum. P-polarized IR absorption owing to C=C and C=O stretching vibrations observed in LB-layered films clearly indicate the enhancement of the orientation of these bonds perpendicular to the substrate surface in contrast to the spin-coated one. Visible optical absorption intensity was increased well in proportion with the lift cycle-numbers of both P3HT and PCBM LB films. The photovoltaic characteristics have been observed in the devices fabricated with P3HT (5 cycles-layer)/PCBM (5 cycles-layer) LB hetero structure as an active layer of the solar cells. The surface pressure of LB compression for the mixture of P3HT and PCBM, that is, bulk hetero mixtures, has also been well built up to 30 mN/m.     

Chemical and physical properties of short rotation tree species

The European Union’s growth strategy (Europe 2020) requires reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increases in both renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Short rotation forestry (SRF) has achieved greater awareness due to these targets. Short rotations (1–12 years), rapid growth and the ability to coppice are typical for SRF. Salix, Populus, Alnus and Betula have smaller GHG emissions of biomass production than annual agricultural plant species, since management and harvesting are not needed every year. Physicochemical properties of these species must be known when their utilisation is planned and optimised. Seven tree species were studied: three willows (Salix myrsinifolia, Salix schwerinii and Klara), one aspen (Populus tremula), one alder (Alnus glutinosa) and two birches (Betula pendula and Betula pubescens). One stem wood (S) sample and one stem wood and bark (SB) sample of each tree were investigated. Furthermore, seven surface soil samples and four incineration ash samples (two S. myrsinifolia and two S. schwerinii) were also studied. Heating values, densities, ash contents as well as carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen contents of all short rotation biomass samples were usually quite typical for the corresponding tree species. Additional observations included the accumulation of cadmium in willow and aspen samples, small chloride content values, and higher ash- and element contents in SB samples than in the corresponding S samples. Nutrient content of ash was usually higher in the S sample, contradictory to biomass samples, and finally the cadmium content of the ash samples was very high.     

A novel mechanism for the promotion of quercetin glycoside absorption by megalo α-1,6-glucosaccharide in the rat small intestine

The presence of an α-1,6-glucosaccharide enhances absorption of water-soluble quercetin glycosides, a mixture of quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside (Q3G, 31.8%), mono (23.3%), di (20.3%) and more d-glucose adducts with α-1,4-linkage to a d-glucose moiety of Q3G, in a ligated small intestinal loop of anesthetized rats. We prepared α-1,6-glucosaccharides with different degrees of polymerization (DP) enzymatically and separated them into a megalo-isomaltosaccharide-containing fraction (M-IM, average DP = 11.0) and an oligo-isomaltosaccharide-containing fraction (O-IM, average DP = 3.6). Luminal injection of either saccharide fraction promoted the absorption of total quercetin-derivatives from the small intestinal segment and this effect was greater for M-IM than O-IM addition. M-IM also increased Q3G, but not the quercetin aglycone, concentration in the water-phase of the luminal contents more strongly than O-IM. The enhancement of Q3G solubilization in the luminal contents may be responsible for the increases in the quercetin glucoside absorption promoted by α-1,6-glucosaccharides, especially that by M-IM. These results suggest that the ingestion of α-1,6-glucosaccharides promotes Q3G bioavailability.     

Bistable composite laminates: Effects of laminate composition on cured shape and response to thermal load

This paper develops a finite element (FE) approach using commercial ANSYS V11.0 software to accurately predict the cured shape of bistable composites by including the influence of manufacturing imperfections, such as resin rich areas and ply-thickness variations. Laminate composition was characterised by optical microscopy and their cured shapes measured using a Peak Motus motion analysis system. The FE model accurately predicts observed differences between laminate curvature in the two stable states. Localised reversal of curvature resulting from through-thickness shear stress is also predicted. Structural response to thermal loading was experimentally characterised showing a temperature dependent deflection rate and a residual curvature caused by non-reversible residual stresses. FE-predictions show good agreement with experiment over the range 20–110 °C. The presented data highlights the importance of manufacturing processes and materials selection in the design of thermally stressed multi-stable composite structures.     

Effect of thermal annealing on electrical properties of transparent conductive Ga-doped ZnO films prepared by ion-plating using direct-current arc discharge

The effect of thermal annealing on the electrical properties of highly transparent conductive Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) films deposited on glass substrates at 200 °C by an ion-plating deposition was investigated. GZO films were annealed in the temperature range from 200 to 600 °C for 30 min under the atmospheric pressure of high-purity N₂ gas. Up to 300 °C, GZO films were electrically very stable, and there was little change in resistivity. When the annealing temperature exceeded 400 °C, resistivity increased rapidly, originating from an abrupt decrease in carrier concentration. It was suggested to be due to both desorption of Zn from GZO films and grain boundary segregation of Ga dopants.     

A study of moderately thick quadrilateral plate elements based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation

Finite element analysis using plate elements based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) can predict the behaviors of moderately thick plates subject to large deformation. However, the formulation is subject to numerical locking, which compromises results. This study was designed to investigate and develop techniques to prevent or mitigate numerical locking phenomena. Three different ANCF plate element types were examined. The first is the original fully parameterized quadrilateral ANCF plate element. The second is an update to this element that linearly interpolates transverse shear strains to overcome slow convergence due to transverse shear locking. Finally, the third is based on a new higher order ANCF plate element that is being introduced here. The higher order plate element makes it possible to describe a higher than first-order transverse displacement field to prevent Poisson thickness locking. The term “higher order” is used, because some nodal coordinates of the new plate element are defined by higher order derivatives. The performance of each plate element type was tested by (1) solving a comprehensive set of small deformation static problems, (2) carrying out eigenfrequency analyses, and (3) analyzing a typical dynamic scenario. The numerical calculations were made using MATLAB. The results of the static and eigenfrequency analyses were benchmarked to reference solutions provided by the commercially available finite element software ANSYS. The results show that shear locking is strongly dependent on material thickness. Poisson thickness locking is independent of thickness, but strongly depends on the Poisson effect. Poisson thickness locking becomes a problem for both of the fully parameterized element types implemented with full 3-D elasticity. Their converged results differ by about 18 % from the ANSYS results. Corresponding results for the new higher order ANCF plate element agree with the benchmark. ANCF plate elements can describe the trapezoidal mode; therefore, they do not suffer from Poisson locking, a reported problem for fully parameterized ANCF beam elements. For cases with shear deformation loading, shear locking slows solution convergence for models based on either the original fully parameterized plate element or the newly introduced higher order plate element.     

Effect of Shot Peening Parameters to Residual Stress Profiles and Barkhausen Noise

The production of gear components includes numerous manufacturing operations which are carried out to ensure proper surface characteristics of components to deal with wear and fatigue. Surface shot peening is one way to increase the compressive residual stresses on the surface and thus ensure better wear and fatigue resistance. An experimental plan for shot peening was conducted to produce samples with varying surface characteristics. Residual stress profile and Barkhausen noise measurements were carried out for the samples. The objective of the study was to evaluate the interactions between the shot peening parameters studied, the residual stress profiles and the Barkhausen noise measurements. A multivariable regression analysis was applied for the task. Some remarkable correlations were found between the shot peening parameters, residual stress profile and Barkhausen noise features. The most important finding was that when the shot peening intensity was high enough, over 0.5 mmA, it dominated the shot peening coverage density parameter and thus no correlations could be gained. On the other hand, if the intensity parameter was lower than the limit of 0.5 mmA, the correlation between residual stress and Barkhausen noise measurements was remarkable. This means that the surface Barkhausen noise measurements could be used for the evaluation of the stress gradient in the shot peening process.