Identification of Pathogenicity-Related Genes in Biofilm-Defective Acidovorax citrulli by Transposon Tn5 Mutagenesis

Biofilm formation is important for virulence of a large number of plant pathogenic bacteria. Indeed, some virulence genes have been found to be involved in the formation of biofilm in bacterial fruit blotch pathogen Acidovorax citrulli. However, some virulent strains of A. citrulli were unable to format biofilm, indicating the complexity between biofilm formation and virulence. In this study, virulence-related genes were identified in the biofilm-defective strain A1 of A. citrulli by using Tn5 insertion, pathogenicity test, and high-efficiency thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (hiTAIL-PCR). Results from this study indicated that 22 out of the obtained 301 mutants significantly decreased the virulence of strain A1 compared to the wild-type. Furthermore, sequence analysis indicated that the obtained 22 mutants were due to the insertion of Tn5 into eight genes, including Aave 4244 (cation diffusion facilitator family transporter), Aave 4286 (hypothetical protein), Aave 4189 (alpha/beta hydrolase fold), Aave 1911 (IMP dehydrogenase/GMP reductase domain), Aave 4383 (bacterial export proteins, family 1), Aave 4256 (Hsp70 protein), Aave 0003 (histidine kinase, DNA gyrase B, and HSP90-like ATPase), and Aave 2428 (pyridoxal-phosphate dependent enzyme). Furthermore, the growth of mutant Aave 2428 was unaffected and even increased by the change in incubation temperature, NaCl concentration and the pH of the LB broth, indicating that this gene may be directly involved in the bacterial virulence. Overall, the determination of the eight pathogenicity-related genes in strain A1 will be helpful to elucidate the pathogenesis of biofilm-defective A. citrulli.     

Preliminary studies on the use of modified ALCELL lignin as a coupling agent in the biofiber composites

ALCELL lignin has been employed as a coupling agent in empty fruit bunch fiber (EFBF)–polypropylene (PP) composites. The lignin has been chemically modified with toluene diisocyanate (TDI) to various weight loadings. The evidence of the reaction between TDI and lignin has been observed by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The effect of lignin as a coupling agent on mechanical properties has been studied. The results show that the TDI‐modified lignin is able to impart greater compatibility between EFBF and PP. This is reflected in the greater mechanical properties shown by the composites with TDI‐modified lignin than in those with the unmodified lignin. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies showed that TDI modification of lignin resulted in a better blending and compatibility between lignin and PP matrix. The glass‐transition temperature of the lignin increases as the WPG is increased. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1333–1340, 2001     

基于IFOA-KELM-MEA模型的游梁式抽油机采油系统井下工况的短期预测

实现对井下工况的预测是及时掌握抽油井生产状态的有效方法,对提高油井生产效率和降低维护成本具有十分重要的意义。采用混沌理论实现抽油井井下工况的短期预测,首先将所提取的示功图的不变曲线矩特征向量作为预测变量,在证明其数据序列具有混沌特性后,由核极限学习机（kernel extreme learning machine,ELM）建立混沌时间序列预测模型,对其中的几个不确定参数采用改进的果蝇优化算法（improved fruit fly optimizationalgorithm,IFOA）进行优化选取,IFOA采用全局群体多样进化和局部个体随机变异的策略,最后,对模型所预测的结果进行物元分析（matter-element analysis,MEA）,诊断其属于哪种故障类型。由某油田作业区的两口生产井进行实例验证,结果表明所提出的IFOA-KELM-MEA预测模型是合理有效的。     

Changes in Fatty Acid, Tocopherol and Xanthophyll Contents During the Development of Tunisian-Grown Pecan Nuts

Among oil compounds, fatty acids, tocopherols and xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) are of special interest due to their nutritional properties. The identification and quantification of these compounds in pecan nuts (Carya illinoinensis) could therefore be very useful to produce functional foods rich in compounds of this type. This paper reports studies on their accumulation and the effect of ripening on the content of these high value-added compounds. The total lipid content increased during the ripening. Saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased significantly, whereas, monounsaturated fatty acids increased during the ripening of pecan nut fruit. Maximum levels of total tocopherol (279.53 mg/kg oil) and xanthophyll (6.18 mg/kg oil) were detected at 20th weeks after the flowering date. These amounts decreased gradually as ripening advances. The early stages of pecan ripening seem to have nutritional and pharmaceutical interests. These results may be useful for evaluating the pecan nut quality and determining the optimal period when the pecans accumulated the maximum of these nutritional and healthy compounds.     

EFFECT OF EDTA ON COLOR DURING OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION OF BANANA SLICES

ABSTRACT

Five conditions of the osmo-dehydration process of banana slices, which in our previous study underwent the most adequate color parameters changes were used with the presence of EDTA added to the syrup solutions at five concentrations of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1% w/w. EDTA presence did not change the tendency of polyphenol activity decrease during osmotic drying as well as has not effect on chroma, hue and total color difference changes. EDTA presence had an effect on L value decrease in the inner and outer part of the slice, and did not depend to osmotic dehydration conditions. It is highly recommended to use EDTA during osmotic dehydration of some fruits that would undergo undesirable darkening.     

A SEMI-EMPIRICAL APPROACH TO OPTIMISE THE QUANTITY OF DRYING AIDS REQUIRED TO SPRAY DRY SUGAR-RICH FOODS

ABSTRACT

A semi-empirical linear equation has been developed to optimise the amount of maltodextrin additive (DE 6) required to successfully spray dry a sugar-rich product on the basis of its composition. Based on spray drying experiments, drying index values for individual sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose) and citric acid were determined, and using these index values an equation for model mixtures of these components was established. This equation has been tested with two sugar-rich natural products, pineapple juice and honey. The relationship was found to be valid for these products.     

Technology of Drying and Thermoseroseparation

ABSTRACT

An increase in moisture content in fresh fruit and vegetables results in an increase of heat capacity, thermal conductivity and thermal diffusivity. Variations of thermal properties with moisture content are linear provided the changes in moisture content are small. The way water is bounded in dried fruits and vegetables influences their thermal properties.     

POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY OF CEREALS PULSES AND OILSEEDS

ABSTRACT

The weight and water loss of 6 mm thick pineapple slabs (one of a six part of slice) were analyzed during osmotic dehydration in sucrose solution at different temperatures (50, 60 and 70°C), sucrose concentrations (50, 60 and 70°Bx) and pH's (6, 7 and 8), in 3³ experimental design. These results were fitted to a modified Azuara equation to obtain water and sucrose diffusivity results at equilibrium condition. Mean result of water diffusivity was 1.717 × 10^?5 cm²/s and sucrose diffusivity varied from 2.0 to 4.6 × 10^?5 cm²/s. The results of water loss at equilibrium in pineapple slabs varied between 0.6 to 0.67 g/g of initial sample weight. The results of sucrose gain at equilibrium varied between 0.15 and 0.21 g/g of initial sample weight. The results from mathematical modeling were compared to experimental results with r ² = 0.94.     

Tensile and Impact Properties of Thermoplastic Natural Rubber Reinforced Short Glass Fiber and Empty Fruit Bunch Hybrid Composites

Thermoplastic natural rubber (TPNR) hybrid composite with short glass fiber (GF) and empty fruit bunch (EFB) fiber were prepared via the melt blending method using an internal mixer type Thermo Haake 600p. The TPNR were prepared from natural rubber (NR), liquid natural rubber (LNR) and polypropylene (PP) thermoplastic, with a ratio of 20:10:70. The hybrid composites were prepared at various ratios of GF/EFB with 20% volume fraction. Premixture was performed before the material was discharged into the machine. The study also focused on the effect of fiber (glass and EFB) treatment using silane and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MAgPP) as a coupling agent. In general, composite that contains 10% EFB/10% glass fiber gave an optimum tensile and impact strength for treated and untreated hybrid composites. Tensile properties increase with addition of a coupling agent because of the existence of adherence as shown in the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrograph. Further addition of EFB exceeding 10% reduced the Young's modulus and impact strength. However, the hardness increases with the addition of EFB fiber for the untreated composite and decreases for the treated composite.