A cis-regulatory element within the 5'' flanking region of arylsulfatase gene of sea urchin, Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus

Mycobacteria generally have thick cell walls and contain large amounts of lipid, making them resistant to DNA extraction. Five methods, namely, extensive enzymic digestion method (M1), 2-min mechanical glass-bead disruption method (M2), thermal shock method (M3), modified conventional enzymic digestion method (M4), and manual disruption with modified conventional enzymic digestion method (M5), were used to compare their effectiveness and simplicity in extracting DNA from slowly growing mycobacteria (Mycobacterium leprae, M. lepraemurium and M. bovis BCG), and a rapidly growing mycobacterium (M. phlei). The highest DNA yield was obtained by M2 from M. lepraemurium which produced 2.82 micrograms DNA/mg wet weight of cells, representing a theoretical yield of 78%. M3 gave the lowest DNA yield; 0.01 microgram DNA/mg wet weight of cells of M. lepraemurium was obtained. M4, in which proteinase K was used, is more effective than M1, in which subtilisin and pronase were used. M5 yielded a higher amount of DNA, but it required more manipulations to extract DNA as compared to M4. Extraction of DNA of M. leprae from nude mice is more difficult than that of M. leprae from armadillos by all of the methods used. These results suggest that the biosynthetic capabilities of these two forms of M. leprae may vary, depending on their cultural conditions and/or strain differences. Our results have shown that both M2 and M4 are the simplest, most effective and time-saving methods which are suitable for every routine laboratory to extract DNA from slowly and rapidly growing mycobacteria.     

Velocity and turbulence measurements in a cylindrical bath subject to centric bottom gas injection

Laser Doppler velocimeter (LDV) measurements were made to clarify the fluid flow behavior in a bath subject to centric bottom gas injection. Correlations of the axial mean velocity and turbulence components in the gas-liquid two-phase flow region,i.e., in the bubbling jet region, were proposed as functions of the inner diameter of nozzle, gas flow rate, and densities of gas and liquid. Measured values of the flow rate, momentum, and kinetic energy of water rising upward were approximated satisfactorily by these empirical correlations. In addition, the Reynolds shear stress was calculated and compared with measured values. Formerly Graduate Student, Osaka University,     

Thermophysical properties of silicate slags

The optimization of metallurgical processes requires reliable data of the slag phase. This paper focuses on three properties that are relevant to heat and mass-transfer calculations — viscosities,thermal diffusivities, and surface tensions of silicate melts. A brief account of the experimental techniques used for the measurements of these properties, with special reference to the work carried out in the Division of Metallurgy, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, are presented, along with the advantages and limitations. As these properties are structure-oriented, the impact of structure on these properties is also presented. The paper is intended as a state-of-the-art review of the subject.     

Japanese surname regions

This paper uses an extended case study of Japan to illustrate how surnames, or family names, can be used as a basis for regionalization. We undertake a comparison between inductively surname regions of Japan with areal geographies based upon both contemporary and historical prefecture (administrative) units. The work is seen as using highly disaggregate framework data to evaluate the integrity of the areal units that are used in regional science. It also is relevant to understanding population distributions, past and present, and the consequences of local, regional and national residential mobility and migration.     

Effects of high magnetic fields on solidification microstructure of Al–Si alloys

The effects of high magnetic fields on the solidification microstructure of Al–Si alloys were investigated. Al–7.2 wt%Si and Al–11.8 wt%Si alloys were solidified in various high magnetic fields at different cooling rates. The secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) of the primary Al dendrites and the lamellar spacing (LS) of the eutectics were measured. It was found that the application of a high magnetic field could decrease the SDAS of the primary Al dendrites in Al–7.2 wt%Si alloys and the LS of the eutectics in Al–11.8 wt%Si alloys. The effects of the high magnetic field on the SDAS decreased with increasing cooling rate. The decrease in the SDAS and LS can be attributed to the decrease of the solute diffusivity in the liquid ahead of the solid/liquid interface during the growth of the dendrite and eutectic. This decrease is caused by the high magnetic field which can damp the convection and avoid its contributions to the diffusion.     

Variation of Fructooligosaccharides and their Metabolizing Enzymes in Onion Bulb (Allium cepa L. cv. Tenshin) During Long-term Storage

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to assess the status of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) in onion bulbs ( Allium cepa L. cv. Tenshin) and their metabolizing-enzymes—1-fructoexohydrolase (1-FEH), 1-kestose hydrolyzing enzyme (1-KH), fructan:fructan 1^F-fructosyltransferase (1-FFT) and fructan:fructan 6^G-fructosyltransferase (6G-FFT)—during storage at 15°C. Fructose varies slightly, whereas 1-kestose peaked after 6 wk and then decreased progressively during the last 18 wk of storage. Lower degree of polymerization (DP) 3 to 6) FOS, higher (DP 7 to 12) FOS, total FOS, and total carbohydrates showed similar and close patterns during 24 wk. They varied slightly at the beginning of the storage period; afterward they decreased progressively and regularly during the last 20 wk of storage. 1-FEH and 1-KH activities were low but peaked abruptly after 12 and 16 wk, respectively, after which they decreased to levels higher (1-FEH) or similar (1-KH) to those observed at the beginning of the storage. Surprisingly, 1-FFT activity showed similar pattern to the variation of 1-KH hydrolyzing activity; on the other hand, 6G-FFT, although higher, was stable during 16 wk but decreased after that. The results allowed us to associate FOS to the dormancy and sprouting states, and the peaks of the degrading enzymes were shown to signal the release of dormancy of onion bulb.     

Reforming of Methane with Carbon Dioxide over a Catalyst Consisting of Ruthenium Metal and Cerium Oxide Supported on Mordenite

Reforming of CH₄ with CO₂ proceeds at 400 °C over a catalyst consisting of ruthenium metal and CeO₂ highly dispersed on mordenite. The catalyst, Ru-CeO₂/MZ, is highly active for the reforming of CH₄ under the conditions at which a carbon formation reaction is thermodynamically apt to take place. The reforming selectively forms H₂ and CO. An increase in the weight of the catalyst resulting from carbon deposits was scarcely observed. IR spectra for the catalyst indicate that the reforming proceeds via the formation of the intermediate species such as Ru-CO and Ru-CH_x on the surface of ruthenium. The data of H₂ adsorption support the idea that ruthenium is highly dispersed in Ru-CeO₂/MZ.     

Effect of a catalyst on heterogeneous nucleation in pure and Fe-Ni alloys

In order to elucidate the nature of the heterogeneous nucleation, a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermal analysis of pure Fe and Fe-Ni alloys (Ni content: 1.0 to 29.3 mass pct) containing TiN, Al₂O₃, and Ti₂O₃ was conducted. Then, special attention was paid to the difference in the phase of the primary crystal nucleated by the triggering effect of a catalyst (nucleating agent). The solidification and transformation mode appearing during cooling in these alloys is classified into three cases: F mode, FA mode, and A mode. The change of modes and the critical undercooling (ΔT) depend on the kind of catalyst used as well as the chemical composition (Ni content). In addition, in spite of the kind of primary crystal, the value of ΔT is always small in the order of TiN, Al₂O₃, and Ti₂O₃. As a matter of fact, only TiN has a practical effect as a catalyst on the triggered nucleation of the primary crystal of the δ phase. None of them has a practical effect on the nucleation of the primary crystal of the γ phase. This article is based on a presentation given in the Mills Symposium entitled “Metals, Slags, Glasses: High Temperature Properties & Phenomena,” which took place at The Institute of Materials in London, England, on August 22–23, 2002.     

Effect of superfine particles of alumina incorporated in the cavities of mordenite in enhancing selectivity

Alumina has been incorporated in the cavities of mordenite by the hydrolysis of Al³⁺ ions in the cavities with moist ammonia gas, following calcination at 450°C. The incorporation of the superfine particles of alumina into the cavities of the mordenite is assessed on the basis of the data of MAS ²⁷Al NMR measurements, X-ray powder diffraction and the amount of saturated adsorption of nitrogen for FAL/MZ. The acid properties, assessed using NH₃ TPD and FTIR studies, show the presence of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites on the catalyst, and an increase in acidic sites on incorporating alumina. The dehydrogenation selectivities of FAL/MZ, Al³⁺/MZ, H⁺/MZ, and Na⁺/MZ have been investigated. Brønsted acid sites largely enhance the ring-cleavage, whereas this incorporation of superfine particles of alumina significantly suppresses the ring-cleavage. Therefore, the incorporation of the superfine particles increases remarkably in the cyclohexene selectivity.