Characterization of d-succinylase from Cupriavidus sp. P4-10-C and its application in d-amino acid synthesis

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Conductive polymer patterned media fabricated by diblock copolymer lithography for scanning multiprobe data storage

A conductive polymer dot pattern has been fabricated as a patterned medium using diblock copolymer lithography (DCL) for scanning multiprobe data storage systems (SMDSSs). DCL can easily provide a higher dots pattern density than that obtained using electron beam lithography. For DCL, the microphase-separated structure of polystyrene-block-polymethylmethacrylate is utilized. Then, the closed dot pattern of polyaniline (PANI) with a center to center distance of adjacent dots of 30?nm is fabricated by DCL. Electrical modification experiments of the fabricated PANI dots are demonstrated using scanning probe microscopy (SPM). As a result, the conductivities of the modified dots are selectively changed by applying modification voltages with the tip of the SPM probe. Recording on the conductive polymer with 30?nm pitch at the minimum can be demonstrated, which corresponds to a recording density of ～700?Gbits?inch(-2). These results show that the conductive polymer patterned medium has the potential ability to achieve high-density recording for SMDSSs.     

Effects of human hair and nail proteins and their films on rat mast cells

Human hair and nail are valuable materials for producing individual corresponding biocompatible materials. A rapid and convenient protein extraction method (Shindai method) and novel procedures for preparing their protein films from their extracts have been developed using human hair and nail. The effects of the human hair and nail proteins and their films on histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells were investigated. Both protein solutions and their films, mainly consisting of keratins and matrix proteins, did not induce histamine release from the mast cells. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also showed that the mast cells were only slightly affected by adding the human hair and nail proteins or by incubating on their protein films. The IgE-dependent histamine release was inhibited by the hair and nail proteins and their films. Incubation of the mast cells with the hair and nail proteins prior to the addition of the IgE serum resulted in a high inhibition (50%) of the histamine release, while the inhibition was approximately 10% when the protein solutions were mixed with the mast cells after incubation with the IgE serum. These results suggest that the human hair and nail proteins and their films will be useful materials for antiallergic actions.     

Dust Explosion Characteristics of Aluminum, Titanium, Zinc, and Iron-Based Alloy Powders Used in Cold Spray Processing

Compared to conventional thermal spray coating, cold spray processing typically employs finer, smaller-diameter metal powders. Furthermore, cold-sprayed particles exhibit fewer surface oxides than thermally sprayed particles due to the absence of particle melting during spraying. For these reasons, it is important to consider the potential for dust explosions or fires during cold spray processing, for both industrial and R&D applications. This work examined the dust explosion characteristics of metal powders typically used in cold spray coating, for the purpose of preventing dust explosions and fires and thus protecting the health and safety of workers and guarding against property damage. In order to safely make use of the new cold spray technology in industrial settings, it is necessary to manage the risks based on an appropriate assessment of the hazards. However, there have been few research reports focused on such risk management. Therefore, in this study, the dust explosion characteristics of aluminum, titanium, zinc, carbonyl iron, and eutectoid steel containing chromium at 4 wt.% (4 wt.% Cr-eutectoid steel) powders were evaluated according to the standard protocols JIS Z 8818, IEC61241-2-3(1994-09) section 3, and JIS Z 8817. This paper reports our results concerning the dust explosion properties of the above-mentioned metal powders.     

Water Cut-Off Performance of H-Jointed Steel Pipe Sheet Piles with H-H Joints Attaching Water-Swelling Materials

In this research, under various conditions, we evaluate the water cut-off performance of H-jointed steel pipe sheet piles (SPSPs) with the H-H joints attaching water-swelling materials which are components of SPSPs for water cut-off in a coastal waste landfill site. Specifically, we research the water cut-off performance when these H-H joints have foreign particles, when they are in a wet-dry cyclic condition, and when the water-swelling material has deteriorated. As a result of this research, it has been found that in any of the above cases, H-jointed SPSPs with H-H joints attaching water-swelling materials are capable of providing water cut-off performance, and meet seepage control work standards as long as they are under less than certain pressure levels to be considered in coastal waste landfill sites. Also, it has been proved that the above conditions do not affect the water cut-off performance of H-jointed SPSPs with H-H joints attaching water-swelling materials.     

Mega‐solar optimal allocation using data envelopment analysis

In this paper, the optimal allocation of mega‐solar is examined using data envelopment analysis (DEA). A great deal of attention is paid to photovoltaic power generation in Japan. Because such power generation can be freely used, it is attractive in Japan, which has few natural resources. The allocation of mega‐solar, a large‐scale photovoltaic power generation method, is an important problem for meeting the hope of e?cient operation. We tried to apply DEA in Shizuoka Prefecture and to solve this issue. In this type of DEA application, some analyses often result in zero weighting factors in the parameters of some items to be studied, which implies that the corresponding items are not appropriately evaluated. The existing studies do not give special consideration to this situation. In this study, a new calculation scheme is proposed, the above‐stated problems are successfully resolved, and the optimal candidate sites have been selected for the mega‐solar allocation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 183(4): 24–32, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.22322     

A Universal Molecular Stent Method to Toughen any Hydrogels Based on Double Network Concept

Double‐network hydrogels (DN gels), despite their high water content, are the strongest and toughest soft and wet materials available. However, in conventional DN gels, which show extraordinarily high mechanical performance comparable to that of industrial rubbers, the first network must be a strong polyelectrolyte and this requirement greatly hinders the widespread application of these gels. A general method involving the use of a “molecular stent” for the synthesis of tough DN gels using any hydrophilic polymer as the first network is reported. This is the first reported method for the synthesis of tough DN gels using various neutral or weak polyelectrolyte hydrogels as the first network. This method helps extend the DN gel concept to various functional polymers and may increase the number of applications of hydrogels in various fields.     

Expression of Aspergillus oryzae phytase gene in Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 niaD(-)

Aspergillus oryzae RIB40 niaD(-) was transformed using a plasmid constructed with the A. oryzae phytase gene and pNAN8142 vector. The culture broth of the transformant, which was grown in a medium containing starch as a carbon source and polyvinylpyrrolidone showed phytase activity of a maximum of 2.0 units ml(-1) at 37 degrees C, pH 5.5.     

Orientation-independent differential interference contrast microscopy

We describe a new technique for differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy, which digitally generates phase gradient images independently of gradient orientation. To prove the principle we investigated specimens recorded at different orientations on a microscope equipped with a precision rotating stage and using regular DIC optics. The digitally generated images successfully displayed and measured phase gradients, independently of gradient orientation. One could also generate images showing distribution of optical path differences or enhanced, regular DIC images with any shear direction. Using special DIC prisms, one can switch the bias and shear directions rapidly without mechanically rotating the specimen or the prisms and orientation-independent DIC images are obtained in a fraction of a second.