Biotransformation of l‐menthol by twelve isolates of soil‐borne plant pathogenic fungi (Rhizoctonia solani) and classification of fungi

The microbial transformation of l‐menthol ( 1 ) was investigated by using 12 isolates of soil‐borne plant pathogenic fungi, Rhizoctonia solani (AG‐1‐IA Rs24, Joichi‐2, RRG97‐1; AG‐1‐IB TR22, R147, 110.4; AG‐1‐IC F‐1, F‐4, P‐1; AG‐1‐ID RCP‐1, RCP‐3, and RCP‐7) as a biocatalyst. Rhizoctonia solani F‐1, F‐4 and P‐1 showed 89.7–99.9% yields of converted product from 1 , RCP‐1, RCP‐3, and RCP‐7 26.0–26.9% and the other isolates 0.1–12.0%. In the cases of F‐1, F‐4 and P‐1, substrate 1 was converted to (?)‐(1S,3R,4S,6S)‐6‐hydroxymenthol ( 2 ), (?)‐(1S,3R,4S)‐1‐hydroxymenthol ( 3 ) and (+)‐(1S,3R,4R,6S)‐6,8‐dihydroxymenthol ( 4 ), which was a new compound. Substrate 1 was converted to 2 and/or 3 by RRG97‐1, 110.4, RCP‐1, RCP‐3 and RCP‐7. The structures of the metabolic products were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data. In addition, metabolic pathways of the biotransformation of 1 by Rhizoctonia solani are discussed. Finally, from the main component analysis and the differences in the yields of converted product from 1 , the 12 isolates of Rhizoctonia solani were divided into three groups based on an analysis of the metabolites. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Milling on Slip Casting of Partially Stabilized Zirconia

Specimens of partially stabilized zirconia were slip cast from aqueous suspensions and sintered at 1500°C for 3 h. The relative density of the cast specimens and the firing shrinkage of the sintered specimens depend on the milling time for the suspension. Vickers hardness and K_IC values of 11.46±s0.07 GN/m² and 6.10 ±0.04 MN.m^3/2, respectively, were obtained for all sintered specimens. The dispersion of the suspension is important in increasing the relative density of the cast specimens.     

二垩英与资源回收-Ⅰ考虑到二垩英生成的资源与能量回收基础研究

目前在日本,存在大量工业垃圾,包括各种塑料制品,ASR(汽车破碎垃圾),含有毒PCB(多氯联苯)的110变压器和PVC(聚氯乙稀)制品等.而来自城市垃圾焚烧炉的废气含有大量能量.因此,在充分考虑环境、避免二垩英生成的同时,安全回收来自工业垃圾、城市和/或工业垃圾焚烧炉的资源和能量是个非常重要的课题,这也将对抑制CO2排放作出贡献.正确地阐明焚烧过程中二垩英的生成机理及详细研究含少量二垩英的焚烧废气在冷却过程中大量形成二垩英的临界温度是项很重要的工作.解决这个问题可有效实现资源和能量的回收.本报告介绍日本在二垩英排放方面目前采取的对策和存在的问题以及大阪大学为阻止二垩英生成所做的基础研究工作.     

Complexity of the color appearance of objects with nonuniform illumination

An inversion relationship is clarified between lightness and brightness, and also between chroma and colorfulness under nonuniform illumination with different illuminance levels (high and low) within the same visual field. Brightness (or colorfulness) of object color with low lightness (or chroma) under high illuminance level is perceived higher than that of another object color with high lightness (or chroma) under low illuminance level. Two color images are given for showing the inversion phenomena on brightness–lightness and colorfulness–chroma between object colors under different illuminance levels. These color images are useful for making researchers on color understand the differences in concept between brightness and lightness, and also between colorfulness and chroma. In particular, the concept of colorfulness is important, but difficult to understand. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 32, 372–377, 2007     

Formation of low-resistivity poly-Si and SiNx films by Cat-CVD for ULSI application

In this paper, bulk-Si metal–oxide–semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) are fabricated using the catalytic chemical vapor deposition (Cat-CVD) method as an alternative technology to the conventional high-temperature thermal chemical vapor deposition. Particularly, formation of low-resistivity phosphorus (P)-doped poly-Si films is attempted by using Cat-CVD-deposited amorphous silicon (a-Si) films and successive rapid thermal annealing (RTA) of them. Even after RTA processes, neither peeling nor bubbling are observed, since hydrogen contents in Cat-CVD a-Si films can be as low as 1.1%. Both the crystallization and low resistivity of 0.004 Ω·cm are realized by RTA at 1000 °C for only 5 s. It is also revealed that Cat-CVD SiN_x films prepared at 250 °C show excellent oxidation resistance, when the thickness of films is larger than approximately 10 nm for wet O₂ oxidation at 1100 °C. It is found that the thickness required to stop oxygen penetration is equivalent to that for thermal CVD SiN_x prepared at 750 °C. Finally, complementary MOSFETs (CMOSs) of single-crystalline Si were fabricated by using Cat-CVD poly-Si for gate electrodes and SiN_x films for masks of local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS). At 3.3 V operation, less than 1.0 pA μm⁻¹ of OFF leakage current and ON/OFF ratio of 10⁷–10⁸ are realized, i.e. the devices can operate similarly to conventional thermal CVD process.     

Swelling of hydrophilic polymers. III

The total volume change included gel and surrounded water with the swelling of five types of speherical cross-linked dextran (Sephadex) that are either nonionic (G) or possess one of four different ionic groups in the same molecular skeleton: CM: sodium carboxymethyl, SP: sodium sulphopropyl, DEAE: diethylaminoethyl chloride, and QAE: diethyl-(2-hydroxypropyl) aminoethyl chloride. All have been studied by dilatometry. The total volume decreased with the swelling of all Sephadexes. The maximum changes of total volume with the swelling in water were all negatives of CM, G, SP, (DEAE, QAE), which decrease in that order. These values did not depend on the concentration of sodium chloride and were closely related to the maximum heats of swelling. Total volume changes occurred by the dissociation of the ionic group of dextran derivatives that subtracted the total volume change due to hydration of Sephadex skeleton from the total volume change: ?21.6 ± 3.1 μL mmol^?1 for CM, ?2.8 ± 8.0 μL mmol^?1 for SP, +13.2 ± 4.4 μL mmol^?1 for DEAE, and +15.4 ± 4.6 μL mmol^?1 for QAE. These values are assumed to be reflected in the quantities of ions-water interaction of Sephadexes. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Marmaray project: Tunnels and stations in BC contract

Istanbul is one of the most famous historical cities in the world. However, the project alignment selected as the best of a range of alignments cannot avoid passing beneath the historical and cultural heritages of Istanbul as well as under ancient and densely inhabited areas of the city. This paper will explain some of the challenges related to the bored tunnels.

Historical buildings are vulnerable. Yet many existing residential and office buildings are old and constructed on minimal foundations. As a consequence, it is vital that any drawdown of groundwater and any ground settlements have to be minimized.

In addition, the connection between the immersed and bored tunnels will be made directly and totally underground, without the usual intermediate shafts and beneath the deep waters of the Bosphorus Strait. This operation needs the utmost control of the tunnel excavation face to ensure its stability and to minimize water ingress. Based on such considerations, tunnel excavation by tunnel boring machine (TBM) using a slurry shield and having the ability to operate under high pore pressures was recommended as the method of excavation for the main running tunnels.

The paper will explain how the design team from Avrasyaconsult – the Employer’s Representative – arrived at the final minimum, specific and functional requirements of the bored tunneling works which are to be carried out using the ‘FIDIC EPC/Turnkey Project’ conditions.     

Titania NOx sensors for exhaust monitoring

Oxide semiconductors have been examined to develop NO_x sensors for exhaust monitoring. Titania doped with trivalent elements, such as Al³⁺, Sc³⁺, Ga³⁺ or In³⁺, has a good sensitivity and selectivity to NO between 450 and 550 °C, and shows rapid response. A sensor probe for monitoring exhaust NO_x has been fabricated. Many kinds of interference gases, such as C₃H₆, CO and SO₂, have been found to have only a slight influence on the sensor response to NO. The influence of O₂ and H₂O is also negligible, except for the cases of 0% H₂O and fuel-rich conditions. In accordance with these results, the sensor probe operates satisfactority in the exhaust gas of various combustion conditions without interference from the various kinds of gas species in the exhaust gases.