Chemical Activity of Nascent Surfaces for Tribochemical Reactions of Lubricant Components.

Boundary lubrication characteristics are strongly dependent on tribochemical reactions at the contact interface. There are multiple factors that contribute to the activity of tribochemical reactions and the complexity of this phenomenon. Here, we focused on nascent surfaces created by friction and aimed to clarify their chemical properties.

Analysis of veering during gait in blind individuals.

Background: Veering occurs during blind walking, which causes individuals to deviate from crosswalks or fall off platforms. Despite being linked to static postural control, the relationship between veering and gait function (gait variability and plantar pressure), which is presumed to be related to dynamic postural control, has yet to be fully understood.

Research Question: How do gait variability and plantar pressure affect veering?

Methods: This experiment involved a walking task in which 11 blind adults were instructed to walk along a straight path using a white cane.

Addressing the Trade-Off between Crystallinity and Yield in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Forest Synthesis Using Machine Learning.

Synthetic trade-offs exist in the synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) forests, as growing certain desired properties can often come at the expense of other desirable characteristics such as the case of crystallinity and growth efficiency. Simultaneously achieving mutually exclusive properties in the growth of SWCNT forests is a significant accomplishment, as it requires overcoming these trade-offs and balancing competing mechanisms. To address this, we trained a machine-learning regression model with a set of 585 "real" experimental synthesis data, which were taken using an automatic synthesis reactor.

Simple production of resilin-like protein hydrogels using the Brevibacillus secretory expression system and column-free purification.

Resilin, an insect structural protein, has excellent flexibility, photocrosslinking properties, and temperature responsiveness. Recombinant resilin-like proteins (RLPs) can be fabricated into three-dimensional (3D) structures for use as cell culture substrates and highly elastic materials. A simplified, high-yielding production process for RLPs is required for their widespread application.

Transcriptome dynamics of rice in natura: Response of above and below ground organs to microclimate.

The long-term dynamics of the transcriptome under natural field conditions remain unclear. We conducted comprehensive gene expression analyses of rice leaves and roots grown under natural field conditions for a long period, from the tillering stage to the ripening stage. In this experiment, changes in the transcriptome were captured in relation to microclimatic parameters, particularly potential evaporation (Ep), which is a multiple meteorological factor and acts as an indicator of transpirational demand.

Effects of denitrifying granular sludge addition on activated sludge and anaerobic-aerobic systems for municipal sewage treatment.

Conventional activated sludge (AS) systems are widely used to treat domestic sewage worldwide. However, the removal of nitrogen in the AS system is limited, and its concentration in the effluent exceeds the recommended values in the discharge standards. In this study, a pilot experiment was conducted to improve nitrogen removal during municipal sewage treatment by operating AS and anaerobic-aerobic (AO) systems under low dissolved oxygen (DO) conditions of less than 0.

Full-scale application of a down-flow hanging sponge reactor combined with a primary sedimentation basin for domestic sewage treatment.

The down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor is advantageous for sewage treatment since it produces an effluent quality that complies with the standards for reuse and there is little excess sludge. A full-scale DHS module was efficiently employed for the treatment of domestic sewage (200 m day) flowing from a primary sedimentation basin (PSB), which was used to reduce the suspended solids loading rate and enhance the oxidation of organics by heterotrophs. The combined PSB-DHS was successfully operated at a total hydraulic retention time of 3.

Enhanced activity for reduction of 4-nitrophenol of Ni/single-walled carbon nanotube prepared by super-growth method.

In this study, we synthesised the Ni/single-walled carbon nanotube prepared by the super-growth method (SG-SWCNTs). In this approach, the Ni nanoparticles were immobilised by an impregnation method using the SG-SWCNTs with high specific surface areas (1144 mg). The scanning electron microscopy images confirmed that the SG-SWCNTs exhibit the fibriform morphology corresponding to the carbon nanotubes.

Environment-friendly utilization of squid pen with water: Production of β-chitin nanofibers and peptides for lowering blood pressure.

Chitin, an abundant biopolymer on Earth, represents a resource for sustainable functional materials. However, traditional β-chitin production methods involve alkaline treatment at approximately 90 °C for its separation from the protein, thus not suitable as a functional peptide, as it is mixed with an alkaline aqueous solution. This study examined the conversion of squid pen into solid β-chitin and water-soluble peptides using only water at temperatures of 150-250 °C for 30-120 min.

Analysis of Four Chitin-Active Lytic Polysaccharide Monooxygenases from Reveals Functional Variation.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are redox-active enzymes that cleave insoluble polysaccharides by an oxidative reaction. In the present study, we have characterized four recombinant putative chitin-active LPMOs from (LPMO10B, -C, -D, and -F) and evaluated their potential in enhancing hydrolysis of α- and β-chitin by three families of 18 chitinases of , ChiA, -B, and -C. All four recombinant LPMO10s showed oxidative activity toward both α- and β-chitin but exhibited different abilities to promote the release of chitobiose from chitin by chitinases depending on both the chitinase and the chitin type.

Functional analysis of a novel lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from Streptomyces griseus on cellulose and chitin.

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are enzymes that degrade polysaccharides with an oxidative mechanism and contributed to the efficiency in biomass degradation by glycoside hydrolases (GHs). In this study, the substrate and reaction specificity of SgLPMO10A that was an auxiliary activity family 10 (AA10) enzyme with a carbohydrate binding module family 2 (CBM2) domain from Streptomyces griseus, was analyzed. This enzyme produced oxidized cello-oligosaccharides from cellulose and boosted cellulose degradation by cellulases.

Evaluation of Removal Behavior of Cesium in Contaminated Soil Based on Speciation Analysis.

The removal efficiency of Cs from contaminated soil depends on its chemical species bound with the soil components. Therefore, in this study, we observed the elution behavior of Cs based on speciation analysis in a Cs removal experiment conducted on contaminated soils. The treatment method was optimized using simulated contaminated soil and applied to actual contaminated soil on a large scale as well.

Analysis of Transglucosylation Products of α-Glucosidase that Catalyzes the Formation of α-1,2- and α-1,3-Linked Oligosaccharides.

According to whole-genome sequencing, produces multiple enzymes of glycoside hydrolases (GH) 31. Here we focus on a GH31 α-glucosidase, AgdB, from . AgdB has also previously been reported as being expressed in the yeast species, ; while the recombinant enzyme (rAgdB) has been shown to catalyze tranglycosylation via a complex mechanism.

A Novel α-Glucosidase of the Glycoside Hydrolase Family 31 from .

We characterized an α-glucosidase belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 31 from The α-glucosidase gene was cloned using the whole genome sequence of , and the recombinant enzyme was expressed in . The enzyme was purified using affinity chromatography. The enzyme showed an optimum pH of 5.

Quantifying Joule Heating and Mass Transport in Metal Nanowires During Controlled Electromigration.

The nanoscale heat dissipation (Joule heating) and mass transport during electromigration (EM) have attracted considerable attention in recent years. Here, the EM-driven movement of voids in gold (Au) nanowires of different shapes (width range: 50⁻300 nm) was directly observed by performing atomic force microscopy. Using the data, we determined the average mass transport rate to be 10⁵ to 10⁶ atoms/s.

End-Functionalized Semiconducting Polymers as Reagents in the Synthesis of Hybrid II-VI Nanoparticles.

The functionalization of II-VI nanocrystals with semiconducting polymers is of fundamental interest for lightweight, solution-processed optoelectronics. The direct surface functionalization of nanocrystals is useful for facilitating charge transfer across the donor/acceptor interface, in addition to promoting good mixing properties and thereby helping prevent nanoparticle aggregation. In this work, we develop a new method for the direct attachment of semiconducting polymers to II-VI inorganic nanocrystals, where the polymer plays a dual role, acting as both the desired capping agent and a chalcogenide monomer during synthesis.

Risk factors for falls in terms of attention during gait in community-dwelling older adults.

Aim: We examined factors related to conditions of life function and falls, including eye movements and gait variability, in community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

Methods: Participants were 82 older adults (21 men, 61 women, mean age 76.1 years).

Two-dimensional NMR data of a water-soluble β-(1→3, 1→6)-glucan from and schizophyllan from .

This article contains two-dimensional (2D) NMR experimental data, obtained by the Bruker BioSpin 500 MHz NMR spectrometer (Germany) which can used for the determination of primary structures of schizophyllan from (SPG) and a water-soluble β-(1→3, 1→6)-glucan from . Data include analyzed the 2D NMR spectra of these β-glucans, which are related to the subject of an article in , entitled "NMR spectroscopic structural characterization of a water-soluble β-(1→3, 1→6)-glucan from " (Kono et al., 2017) [1].

NMR spectroscopic structural characterization of a water-soluble β-(1→3, 1→6)-glucan from Aureobasidium pullulans.

An unambiguous structural characterization of the water-soluble Aureobasidium pullulans β-(1→3, 1→6)-glucan is yet to be achieved, although this β-(1→3, 1→6)-glucan is expected to exhibit excellent biofunctional properties. Thus, we herein report the elucidation of the primary structure of the A. pullulans β-(1→3, 1→6)-glucan using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, followed by comparison of the obtained structure with that of schizophyllan (SPG).

Effect of acidity on the physicochemical properties of α- and β-chitin nanofibers.

We have investigated whether acidity can be used to control the physicochemical properties of chitin nanofibers (ChNFs). In this study, we define acidity as the molar ratio of dissociated protons from the acid to the amino groups in the raw chitin powder. The effect of acidity on the physicochemical properties of α- and β-ChNFs was compared.

Effect of purification method of β-chitin from squid pen on the properties of β-chitin nanofibers.

The relationship between purification methods of β-chitin from squid pen and the physicochemical properties of β-chitin nanofibers (NFs) were investigated. Two types of β-chitin were prepared, with β-chitin (a→b) subjected to acid treatment for decalcification and then base treatment for deproteinization, while β-chitin (b→a) was treated in the opposite order. These β-chitins were disintegrated into NFs using wet pulverization.

Effect of sub- and supercritical water treatments on the physicochemical properties of crab shell chitin and its enzymatic degradation.

This study examined the effects of sub- and supercritical water pretreatments on the physicochemical properties of crab shell α-chitin and its enzymatic degradation to obtain N,N'-diacetylchitobiose (GlcNAc)2. Following sub- and supercritical water pretreatments, the protein in the crab shell was removed and the residue of crab shell contained α-chitin and CaCO3. Prolonged pretreatment led to α-chitin decomposition.

Heterologously expressed Aspergillus aculeatus β-glucosidase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a cost-effective alternative to commercial supplementation of β-glucosidase in industrial ethanol production using Trichoderma reesei cellulases.

Trichoderma reesei is a filamentous organism that secretes enzymes capable of degrading cellulose to cellobiose. The culture supernatant of T. reesei, however, lacks sufficient activity to convert cellobiose to glucose using β-glucosidase (BGL1).

A small lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase from Streptomyces griseus targeting α- and β-chitin.

The lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) have received considerable attention subsequent to their discovery because of their ability to boost the enzymatic conversion of recalcitrant polysaccharides. In the present study, we describe the enzymatic properties of SgLPMO10F, a small (15 kDa) auxilliary activity (AA) family 10 LPMO from Streptomyces griseus belonging to a clade of the phylogenetic tree without any characterized representative. The protein was expressed using a Brevibacillus-based expression system that had not been used previously for LPMO expression and that also ensures correct processing of the N-terminus crucial for LPMO activity.