Synthesis of l-theanine using enzyme/mesoporous silica conjugates under high pH conditions

We present a new enzymatic process for synthesis of l-theanine using glutaminase combined with immobilization technique on a mesoporous silica (MPS). The MPS was firstly attempted to modify with zirconia in order to enhance the durability against the reaction under high pH conditions. The glutaminase on the MPS successfully catalyzed the reaction for the synthesis of l-theanine. The glutaminase/MPS conjugate was subsequently recovered and employed for the reaction again. The conjugate showed the corresponding activity to the first synthesis. This indicates that the conjugate functions as a catalyst for synthesis of l-theanine, having the operational stability sufficient for reuse.     

Crystalline thin films of β-phase poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene)

The detailed structure of crystalline β-phase poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene) (PFO) films was studied by polarized optical measurements, transmission electron microscopy, and grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction. Crystalline β-phase PFO thin films were fabricated by a friction transfer technique and subsequent vapor treatment. Compared to the α-phase, the lattice parameters of the β-phase crystals shrank along the a-axis (film thickness direction) and elongated along the b-axis (side-chain direction), but the period along the c-axis (main-chain direction) remained nearly equal. These changes in molecular packing were consistent with a planar conformational change from the α-phase to the β-phase of PFO.     

Future Direction on Research and Development of Seismic-Response-Controlled Structures

Abstract: Seismic-response-controlled structures are being accepted as a fresh concept that can respond to the needs of a society in the new century. The author already had announced the basic principle of this concept at the midpoint of this century (1950s). This concept has advanced significantly thanks to technologic innovations in the recent years, and in the beginning of 1985, full-scale research was launched for its practical application. Recently, its theoretical research and application developed rapidly both in Japan and overseas. Therefore, in this paper, the current state of the R&D and practical application of seismic-response-control systems in Japan and the United States are described. Based on this information, the author proposes the future direction of R&D on seismic-response-control technology.     

Proteolysis Affects Thermal Gelation of Squid Mantle Muscle

Thermal gelation of squid mantle muscle was studied by means of gel strength measurement and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The gel strength of thermally induced squid meat gel decreased when squid meat paste was heated in two steps (35°C for 30 min followed by 90°C for 30 min). This decrease in gel strength was effectively depressed by the addition of protease inhibitors such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), and soybean trypsin inhibitor, indicating that me-tallo- and/or serine-proteases were mainly involved in the deterioration of squid meat gel prepared by two-step heating. SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that EDTA or PMSF suppressed the degradation of myosin heavy chain.     

Development of InxGa1−xAs-based ohmic contacts for p-type GaAs by radio-frequency sputtering

In_xGa_1−xAs-based ohmic contacts which showed excellent contact properties for n-GaAs were demonstrated to be applicable to p-GaAs ohmic contacts. These contacts, prepared by radio-frequency sputtering, provided low contact resistance (0.2 Ω-mm), excellent thermal stability, smooth surface, and good reproducibility. The contact resistances had a weak dependence on the annealing temperatures, which was desirable in a manufacturing view point. This weak temperature dependence was explained to be due to a unique Schottky barrier height at the metal/p-In_xGa_1−xAs interface which does not depend on the In concentration in the In_xGa_1−xAs layer. The present experiment showed the possibility of simultaneous preparation of ohmic contacts for both n and p-GaAs using the same contact materials.     

Statistical analysis of lightning performance of distribution lines based on observation in fields

Because of the lower insulation level than for transmission lines, in this study on lightning protection design of distribution lines, not only direct lightning strokes but also induced voltages caused by nearby strokes must be taken into account. Thus, it is necessary to grasp the frequency of occurrence of lightning phenomena around distribution lines. For this aim, lightning phenomena on TEPCO's distribution lines in use were continuously observed for 6 years (1996 to 2001). Through this observation, new interesting statistical data that can be a useful basis for rationalization of lightning protection design of distribution lines were obtained. Two hundred and four lightning strokes were observed through the six‐year period. Probability of occurrence of a direct stroke was 22% (45 direct strokes were obtained). The fact that in 47% of direct strokes the electric outage did not occur is very interesting. Moreover, the value of surge discharge current of the arrester in the case of nearby stroke is the basis for conventional theory of grounding system. Therefore, statistical analysis of ZnO discharging current in the case of nearby strokes was carried out. As a result, in the case of nearby strokes, 5% value of cumulative frequency of discharging current is 0.5 kA. This value is half the conventional data. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 155(2): 8–16, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20180     

SCREENING OF RESISTANT TRIACYLGLYCEROLS TO THE PANCREATIC LIPASE AND THEIR POTENTIALITIES AS A DIGESTIVE RETARDANT

A gradual retarding of lipid digestion and absorption might contribute to preventing the visceral fat accumulation and obesity in humans. The lipolysis rates of different triacylglycerols (TAGs) by pancreatic lipase in vitro were studied in order to find suitable components as a retardant for lipolysis. Several TAGs containing longer acyl chains than stearic acid or containing unsaturated fatty acids whose double bonds are located closely to the carboxyl group like petroserinic and γ-linolenic acid showed significantly lower lipolysis rates as compared with triolein (OOO) control. Most of these resistant TAGs contributed to decelerating the lipolysis rate when replaced at 10% into the OOO control. Especially, 1-behenoyl-2,3-dioleoyl- rac -glycerol (BOO) was comprehensively thought to be a suitable TAG as a digestive retardant among them. Each 10% replacement of edible oils by BOO gave 15% to 30% reduction of the lipolysis rate in vitro . Resistant TAGs that are able to melt or solubilize into liquid oil at body temperature have some potential as a digestive retardant for lipids.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Visceral fat accumulation and obesity in humans are thought to be correlated with the rate of lipid digestion and absorption. The entire rate of lipid absorption is controlled by their partial replacement with some digestive retardant. Resistant triacylglycerols may have some potential as a digestive retardant of lipids. Results of the present study propose a new fat system for foods with antiobesity effect.     

Preparation of cationic polystyrene latexes in the absence of emulsifiers

Preparation of cationic polystyrene latexes has been investigated in the absence of emulsifiers. It is clarified that a stable latex can be obtained by using 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride as initiator (initiator process). The latex seems to be stabilized with the fragments of the initiator chemically bound to the surface of particles. More stable latexes can be obtained by copolymerizing cationic monomers such as dialkyl aminoethyl methacrylates (copolymerization process). The stability of these latexes may predominantly be attributed to cationic monomers chemically bound to the surface of particles. Stable latexes with high solids content can be obtained by using the two-step polymerization technique in the copolymerization process. The particle formation process in the initiator process and the copolymerization process is discussed.     

Formation of particles in the preparation of carboxylated polystyrene latexes

Carboxylated polystyrene latexes have been prepared by copolymerizing acrylic acid at the appropriate degree of neutralization in the absence or presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and the particle formation process was investigated from the number and uniformity of particles. In the absence of SDS or in a concentration range of SDS lower than 6.41 mmole/l., the formation of particles can predominantly be attributed to the precipitation of growing radicals formed in the aqueous phase; whereas in a concentration range of SDS higher than 6.41 mmole/l., the formation of particles can predominantly be attributed to the initiation of polymerization in the interior of SDS micelles containing solubilized styrene by the collision of growing radicals formed in the aqueous phase. In the former range, the number of particles increases linearly with increasing concentration of SDS below the critical concentration of 1.60 mmole/l., which is sufficient to stabilize particles formed by the precipitation of growing radicals, and remains constant above the critical concentration. The effect of initiator concentration as well as amount of styrene on the formation of particles also supports the particle formation process described above.