Evaluation of the Enzymatic Saccharification Efficiency of an Energy Crop,Erianthus arundinaceus,Pretreated with Ca(OH)2 Using both Countercurrent Washing System and pH Adjustment by Nonpressurized CO2

Erianthus arundinaceus (ER) is greatly appreciated among domestic energy crops in Japan for the production of fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic polysaccharides. In this study, we developed an efficient Ca(OH)₂-based pretreatment of both stems and leaves of ER at ambient temperature with the addition of a washing step for enzymatic saccharification. The recoveries of glucans and xylans in the pretreated ER after four countercurrent washing cycles were 91 and 76 %, respectively, the former being considerably higher than that of rice straw (RS) (72 %). Their saccharification ratios in the washed sample under the pressure of 1 atm CO₂ were 80 and 92.5 %, respectively. The application of this simple sugar production process from ER would further support the domestic bioprocess development. ER is also foreseen to provide the additional feedstock favorable for harvesting from winter to spring in Japan, preventing a risk for feedstock shortage generated by single harvesting such as RS.     

Characterization of the Interactions between Cereal Flour and “Nata Puree” in Batter

This study aimed to characterize the interactions between cereal flour (rice, wheat, and barley) and “nata puree” (NP), a disintegrated bacterial cellulose (BC) in the presence of a water-soluble polysaccharide, with powder-dispersion activity. Pasting properties of cereal flour with additives were analyzed using a Rapid Visco Analyzer, and disintegrated BC in water (BCW), three water-soluble polysaccharides: (1,3)(1,4)-β-glucan, tamarind seed gum, and birchwood xylan, and the corresponding NPs were used as additives. For rice flour, additional BCW or NPs increased the initial and the peak viscosity. The addition of water-soluble polysaccharides produced the opposite trend: viscosity increased from the peak time to the end of measurements. For wheat flour, the addition of BCW or NP delayed the peak time and increased peak viscosity; the increase was maintained till the end of measurements. For barley flour, the additional BCW or NP caused a higher gelatinization rate and increased viscosity at the starch-retrogradation stage. Next, static gelatinization of a rice flour suspension in NP was successfully accomplished before placing it in a vessel; NP concentration in the gel significantly affected the firmness. Thus, the dynamic and unique interactions between various cereal flours and cell-wall polysaccharides in NPs can increase the flours'' potential; static gelatinization of cereal flour with NP could expand flours'' application range in both current and next-generation cooking.     

Cloning and sequencing of a gene encoding of aldehyde oxidase in Pseudomonas sp. AIU 362

We have cloned a gene encoding an aldehyde oxidase (ALOD) oxidized glyoxal but not glyoxylic acid from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 362. The ALOD gene contained an open reading frame consisting of 888 nucleotides corresponding to 295 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence exhibited a high similarity to those of 3-hydroxyisobutyrate dehydrogenases (3-HIBDHs). We expressed the cloned gene as an active product in Escherichia coli BL21 cells. The productivity (total units per culture broth volume) of the recombinant ALOD expressed in E.?coli BL21 was 20,000-fold higher than that of ALOD in Pseudomonas sp. AIU 362. The recombinant ALOD exhibited ALOD activity and 3-HIBDH activity. The 3-HIBDH from Pseudomonas putida KT2440 also exhibited ALOD activity. Thus, the ALOD from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 362 and 3-HIBDH from P.?putida KT2440 were classified into the same enzyme group.     

An assessment of the anatomical relationship between the pelvic plexus and the rectal wall to determine the indications for its preservation in surgery for rectal cancer

Preservation of the pelvic plexus in surgery for rectal cancer could shorten the distance between the cancer and the lateral resection margin, whereby the curability of the operation may be reduced. To clarify the indications for preserving the pelvic plexus in such surgery, the relationship of the pelvic plexus to the rectum and rectal cancer was investigated anatomically in 12 autopsied specimens and 12 surgical specimens. The rectum and anus were dissected with all the pelvic organs from autopsied cadavers and transverse sections were prepared at 10-mm intervals after fixation. The location of the pelvic plexus was then measured on the tissue preparations, and compared to that of surgical specimens from rectal cancers with concurrent resection of the pelvic plexus. The pelvic plexus was located from 3.3 +/- 1.2 cm above to 2.3 +/- 1.9 cm below the peritoneal reflection in the autopsied specimens. The average distances between the muscularis propria and the pelvic plexus in the autopsied specimens and surgical specimens were 8.3 +/- 3.5 mm and 14.7 +/- 4.5 mm, respectively, showing a significant difference (P < 0.05). Pelvic plexuses were located about 10 mm from the outer margin of rectal muscularis propria. These findings indicate that concurrent resection of the pelvic plexus may be required to secure sufficient surgical clearance in pT3 rectal cancers, especially those invading deeply beyond the muscularis propria (a2).     

Residual stress due to welding and its effect on the assessment of cracks near the weld interface

An experimental/analytical hybrid-type investigation of the effects of residual stress on crack propagation due to welding has been performed. The residual stresses in the SAW welded A533B plates and electron beam welded plates that consist of HT80 and A533B steels were detected by an acoustoelastic technique. The measured residual stress was incorporated into a finite element procedure, which simulated stable crack growth in 1T compact specimens, where the effects on far-field crack parameters and on near-field crack parameters were examined. Also investigated was the effect on fatigue crack propagation with the hypothetical residual stress of the identical distribution to that in the electron beam weld. The significance of the residual stress distribution ahead and behind the crack tip in relation to the plastic zone size was identified.     

Thermoplastic matrix continuous filament composites of Kevlar® aramid or graphite fiber

Key static mechanical properties and laminating processes of thermoplastic matrix continuous filament composites reinforced with Kevlar® aramid or graphite fibers are presented and discussed. A tow of Kevlar or graphite impregnated with a thermoplastic matrix from a proprietary melt-coating process involving injection of a melted thermoplastic polymer can be consolidated into a sound, void-free composite laminate by compression molding. The unidirectional composites of Kevlar 49 or graphite from the melt-coated tows possess mechanical properties superior to those of similar composites prepared by other processes such as yarn cowinding and film laminating. The unidirectional composites of Kevlar 49 with thermoplastic matrices prepared from the melt-coated tows are equivalent or superior to those using Epon® epoxies or polyvinylester in flexural, shear and compressive strengths. Using J-polymer, a polyamide copolymer and a proprietary Du Pont resin candidate as a thermoplastic matrix model, a static mechanical test data base has been developed for graphite/thermoplastic matrix composites showing significant advantages in damage tolerance, compression after impact, and interlaminar fracture toughness. Although the unidirectional compressive strength of graphite/epoxy composites has been shown to correlate with matrix modulus, the thermoplastic matrix composites show no such correlation.     

Multiple Sclerosis disease distribution and potential impact of environmental air pollutants in Georgia

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system. Although the disease has been associated with some genetic and environmental factors, it has neither clear causes nor clear temporality with respect to exposure. The purpose of this study was to explore potential relationships between MS and outdoor air pollutants in GA. This study used cross-sectional data from the member's list of the Multiple Sclerosis Society's GA chapter (MSS-GA), the US Census, and a database of county-level Toxic Release Inventory data (emissions across identified, reporting sources to outdoor air, as a surrogate indicator of potential exposure to a criteria pollutant subject to regulation or to chemical toxicants). The final study population was 9,072,576 people, including 6247 self-reported MS cases from MSS-GA. Cases were stratified by gender and transformed into county-level, self-reported prevalence rates using 2005 US Census estimates. County-level prevalence was displayed using a Geographic Information System. Linear regression was conducted to investigate potential relationships between self-reported MS prevalence rates, census data, and environmental outdoor air pollutant indicators. MS prevalence tended to be clustered within the largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in Georgia, around Atlanta (Fulton County). The best predictive models for the MS prevalence in GA included both per capita income and PM-10 for females, but only per capita income only for males. The clustering of prevalence of MS in the largest MSA of Georgia, after controlling for population distribution, suggested that urban attributes may be associated with MS. The results of this study further suggested a potential role of PM-10 in the etiology of MS in females, perhaps due to the influence of PM-10 on systemic immune response and inflammation. Based on this initial exploratory study, we recommend more basic and clinical exposure research to understand environmental influences on MS. In particular, outdoor air pollutants like particles, and attached chemicals and metals, which have other known adverse cardiopulmonary health outcomes and are subject to federal and state regulations, could be examined using routinely collected outdoor air monitoring station data and/or modeling.