Adsorptive Removal of Nitrate from Aqueous Solution Using Nitrogen Doped Activated Carbon.

Activated carbon (AC) has been widely applied for adsorptive removal of organic contaminants from aqueous phase, but not for ionic pollutants. In this study, nitrogen doped AC was prepared to increase the adsorption capacity of nitrate from water. AC was oxidized with (NH)SO solution to maximize oxygen content for the first step, and then NH gas treatment was carried out at 950°C to aim at forming quaternary nitrogen (N-Q) species on AC surface (Ox-9.

Walking balance and compensatory gait mechanisms in surgically treated patients with adult spinal deformity.

Background Context: Gait patterns and their relationship to demographic and radiographic data in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) have not been fully documented.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess gait pattern in patients with ASD and the effect of corrective spinal surgery on gait.

Design/setting: This is a prospective case series.

Rh Nanoparticle Anchoring on Metal Phosphates: Fundamental Aspects and Practical Impacts on Catalysis.

Metal phosphates stabilize Rh nanoparticles on their surface via Rh-O-P bonds, in contrast to the Rh-O-M bonds formed on metal oxides (MO ). The local structure, electronic structure, and redox properties of Rh nanoparticles anchored on metal phosphates, and their practical impacts on catalysis, are reviewed based on recent publications from the author's research group. Because of the covalency of the Rh-O-P bond, Rh oxide is readily reduced to metallic Rh having a higher catalytic activity, whereas Rh oxide on metal oxide supports is more difficult to reduce with an increase of the anchoring strength.

Identification of a putative FR901469 biosynthesis gene cluster in fungal sp. No. 11243 and enhancement of the productivity by overexpressing the transcription factor gene frbF.

FR901469 is an antifungal antibiotic produced by fungal sp. No. 11243.

Genome sequence of Aspergillus luchuensis NBRC 4314.

Awamori is a traditional distilled beverage made from steamed Thai-Indica rice in Okinawa, Japan. For brewing the liquor, two microbes, local kuro (black) koji mold Aspergillus luchuensis and awamori yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae are involved. In contrast, that yeasts are used for ethanol fermentation throughout the world, a characteristic of Japanese fermentation industries is the use of Aspergillus molds as a source of enzymes for the maceration and saccharification of raw materials.

Effect of Remediation Parameters on in-Air Ambient Dose Equivalent Rates When Remediating Open Sites with Radiocesium-contaminated Soil.

Calculations are reported for ambient dose equivalent rates [H˙*(10)] at 1 m height above the ground surface before and after remediating radiocesium-contaminated soil at wide and open sites. The results establish how the change in H˙*(10) upon remediation depends on the initial depth distribution of radiocesium within the ground, on the size of the remediated area, and on the mass per unit area of remediated soil. The remediation strategies considered were topsoil removal (with and without recovering with a clean soil layer), interchanging a topsoil layer with a subsoil layer, and in situ mixing of the topsoil.

Investigation of single nucleotide polymorphism loci susceptible to degradation by ultraviolet light.

DNA in biological fluids is often degraded by environmental factors. Given that single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses require shorter amplicons than short tandem repeat (STR) analyses do, their use in human identification using degraded samples has recently attracted attention. Although various SNP loci are used to analyze degraded samples, it is unclear which ones are more appropriate.

In vivo maturation of human embryonic stem cell-derived teratoma over time.

Transformation of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) is of interest to scientists who use them as a raw material for cell-processed therapeutic products. However, the WHO and ICH guidelines provide only study design advice and general principles for tumorigenicity tests. In this study, we performed in vivo tumorigenicity tests (teratoma formation) and genome-wide sequencing analysis of undifferentiated hESCs i.

Polarization oscillations of near-field thermal emission.

We consider the polarization of thermal emission in the near field of various materials, including dielectrics and metallic systems with resonant surface modes. We find that, at thermal equilibrium, the degree of polarization exhibits spatial oscillations with a period of approximately half the optical wavelength, independent of material composition. This result contrasts with that of Setala et al.

A nanometric Rh overlayer on a metal foil surface as a highly efficient three-way catalyst.

Pulsed arc-plasma (AP) deposition of an Rh overlayer on an Fe-Cr-Al stainless steel foil produced a composite material that exhibited high activity for automotive three-way catalysis (TWC). The AP pulses deposited metallic Rh nanoparticles 1-3 nm in size, whose density on the surface increased with the number of pulses. This led to coalescence and grain growth on the foil surface and the eventual formation of a uniform two-dimensional Rh overlayer.

Heavy metal exposure, in combination with physical activity and aging, is related with oxidative stress in Japanese women from a rural agricultural community.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between oxidative stress and heavy metal exposure (lead [Pb] and cadmium [Cd]), as well as co-factors such as physical activity and age, in Japanese women. This study was conducted with female subjects from a rural agricultural community in Japan. Subjects were asked to complete lifestyle-related questionnaires and undergo a group health examination.

Teriparatide improves volumetric bone mineral density and fine bone structure in the UIV+1 vertebra, and reduces bone failure type PJK after surgery for adult spinal deformity.

Unlabelled: We conducted a prospective comparative study of the effect of teriparatide therapy for preventing vertebral-failure-type PJK after reconstructive surgery for adult spinal deformity. Prophylactic teriparatide improved the volumetric bone mineral density and fine bone structure of the vertebra above the upper-instrumented vertebra and reduced the incidence of vertebral-failure-type PJK.

Introduction: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a complication after corrective surgery for spinal deformity.

A combination of soy isoflavones and cello-oligosaccharides changes equol/O-desmethylangolensin production ratio and attenuates bone fragility in ovariectomized mice.

We examined the cooperative effects of isoflavones and cello-oligosaccharides on daidzein metabolism and bone fragility in ovariectomized mice. Cello-oligosaccharides increased urinary equol and decreased O-desmethylangolensin. A combination of isoflavones and cello-oligosaccharides attenuated decreases in bone breaking force and stiffness caused by ovariectomy.

Unveiling the Biosynthetic Pathway of the Ribosomally Synthesized and Post-translationally Modified Peptide Ustiloxin B in Filamentous Fungi.

The biosynthetic machinery of the first fungal ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) ustiloxin B was elucidated through a series of gene inactivation and heterologous expression studies. The results confirmed an essential requirement for novel oxidases possessing the DUF3328 motif for macrocyclization, and highly unique side-chain modifications by three oxidases (UstCF1F2) and a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme (UstD). These findings provide new insight into the expression of the RiPP gene clusters found in various fungi.

Walking sagittal balance correction by pedicle subtraction osteotomy in adults with fixed sagittal imbalance.

Purpose: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is widely used to treat severe fixed sagittal imbalance. However, the effect of PSO on balance has not been fully documented. The aim of this study was to assess dynamic walking balance after PSO to treat fixed sagittal imbalance.

Genome Sequence of Ustilaginoidea virens IPU010, a Rice Pathogenic Fungus Causing False Smut.

Ustilaginoidea virens is a rice pathogenic fungus that causes false smut disease, a disease that seriously damages the yield and quality of the grain. Analysis of the U. virens IPU010 33.

Radiative transport and optical tomography with large datasets.

We consider the inverse problem of optical tomography in the radiative transport regime. We report numerical tests of a direct reconstruction method that is suitable for use with large datasets. Reconstructions of experimental data obtained from a noncontact optical tomography system are also reported.

Examining multidimensional sport-confidence in athletes and non-athlete sport performers.

Sport-confidence is considered a critical success factor for sport performers at all levels. Researchers have suggested that sport-confidence is a multidimensional rather than a unidimensional construct, and the sport-confidence model identified three types of sport-confidence (i.e.

Anterior spinal fixation for recollapse of cemented vertebrae after percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Although recollapse after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is a serious complication that needs salvage surgery, there is no consensus regarding the best operative treatment for this failure. We present cases of 3 patients, diagnosed as having thoracic osteoporotic vertebral fractures, who had undergone PV at other institutes. Within less than half a year, recollapse occurred at the cemented vertebrae in all 3 patients, and we conducted anterior spinal fixation (ASF) on them.

Postoperative portal vein thrombosis and gastric hemorrhage associated with late-onset hemorrhage from the common hepatic artery after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but serious postoperative complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We reported a case of late-onset postoperative PVT with hemorrhage from the common hepatic artery (CHA) in a 73-year-old man who underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) for duodenum papilla cancer, followed by reconstruction using the modified Child's technique. The pancreaticojejunostomy was achieved by end-to-side, 2-layer invagination anastomosis without pancreatic duct stenting.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase III study of pazopanib in patients with soft tissue sarcoma: results from the Japanese subgroup.

Objective: This analysis of the Japanese subpopulation of the PALETTE Phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled study investigated efficacy and safety of pazopanib in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma after failure of standard chemotherapy.

Methods: Patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either pazopanib 800 mg once daily or placebo, with no subsequent cross-over. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival.

Expression of ustR and the Golgi protease KexB are required for ustiloxin B biosynthesis in Aspergillus oryzae.

Ustiloxin B, originally isolated from the fungus Ustilaginoidea virens, is a known inhibitor of microtubule assembly. Ustiloxin B is also produced by Aspergillus flavus and is synthesized through the ribosomal peptide synthesis pathway. In A.

Preparation of Bamboo Chars and Bamboo Activated Carbons to Remove Color and COD from Ink Wastewater.

Bamboo chars and bamboo activated carbons prepared by steam activation were applied for ink wastewater treatment. Bamboo char at 800 °C was the best for the removal of color and chemical oxygen demand (COD) from ink wastewater compared to bamboo chars at 300 to 700 °C due to higher surface area and mesopore volume. Bamboo activated carbon at 600 °C (S600) was the best compared to bamboo activated carbon at 800 °C (S800), although S800 had larger surface area (1108 m(2)/g) than S600 (734 m(2)/g).