Non-sterile simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of corn leaves and stalks to <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-lactic acid without external nutrient addition

Fermentation of lignocellulosic biomass requires auxiliary materials, including nutrients, to ensure the proliferation of microorganisms. Nutrients are usually inexpensive, but their contribution to the cost is considerable because of the very low prices of fermentation products, such as bio-ethanol. Using substances present in native lignocellulosic biomass as nutrients for fermentation was proposed and demonstrated. Leaves and stalks of corn plants were used as biomass, and nutrients were recovered as a nutrient solution by soaking them in water before alkaline peroxide pretreatment. Pretreated biomass and the nutrient solution derived from the same lot were used for non-sterile simultaneous enzymatic saccharification and thermophilic l-lactic acid fermentation (SSF). Using the nutrient solution in the saccharification step did not impact sugar recovery, and instead improved sugar yields because of the presence of eluted sugars in the solution. The l-lactic acid yield of 0.33 g g^?1 based on native biomass weight indicated that the nutrient solution functioned as a source of nutrients and sugars, especially as a source of essential phosphorus. Comparatively, autoclaved SSF yielded less or no l-lactic acid, indicating an apparent inhibitive effect derived from the nutrient solution on bacterial growth.     

Physicochemical properties of selected polybrominated diphenyl ethers and extension of the UNIFAC model to brominated aromatic compounds

The aqueous solubilities (S(w)) at various temperatures from 283 K to 308 K and 1-octanol/water partition coefficients (K(ow)) for four polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs: 4,4'-dibromodiphenyl ether (BDE-15), 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), 2,2',4,4',5-pentabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-99), and 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-153)) were measured by the generator column method. The S(w) and K(ow) data revealed the effect of bromine substitution and basic structure on S(w) and K(ow). To estimate the infinite dilution activity coefficients (gamma(i)(w,infinity)) of the PBDEs in water from the S(w) data, enthalpies of fusion and melting points for those compounds were measured with a differential scanning calorimeter. Henry's Law constants (H(w)) of the PBDEs were derived from the determined gamma(i)(w,infinity) and literature vapor pressure data. Some physicochemical characteristics of PBDEs were also suggested by comparing the present property data with that of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, brominated phenols and brominated benzenes in past studies. Furthermore, in order to represent different phase equilibria including solubility and partition equilibrium for other brominated aromatic compounds using the UNIFAC model, a pair of UNIFAC group interaction parameters between the bromine and water group were determined from the S(w) and K(ow) data of PBDEs and brominated benzenes. The ability of the determined parameters to represent both properties of brominated aromatics was evaluated.     

Biologically induced Po emission from fresh water

Behavior of Po in fresh waters was examined in laboratory culture experiments using fresh water collected from a small pool, Xi river and Xiqing lake, showing formation of volatile Po compounds followed by emission to air. Addition of tryptone to the fresh water cultures increased the emission of Po considerably along with a growth of microorganisms, suggesting a connection of chemoheterotrophs to Po emission. Participation of photoautotrophs was also considered because Po emission was increased when NaHCO3 was added to the fresh water cultures. The emission behavior of Po and S in these experiments appeared in different ways. The quantity of Po emitted was comparable to the previous culture experiments (Momoshima, Song, Osaki & Maeda, Environ. Sci. Technol., 35, 2956-2960, 2001) in which artificial culture medium containing 3% NaCl was used and inoculated with sea sediment extract. The biological support for Po emission, thus, would be a general phenomenon in fresh water as well as a seawater environment and is possibly a source for atmospheric Po.     

Formation of cyanide ion or cyanogen chloride through the cleavage of aromatic rings by nitrous acid or chlorine. IX. On the reactions of chlorinated, nitrated, carboxylated or methylated benzene derivatives with hypochlorous acid in the presence of ammonium ion

Chlorinated, nitrated, carboxylated or methylated benzenes, phenols and anilines reacted with chloramine to give cyanogen chloride, independently of the positions and the numbers of the substituents. Among these compounds, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol afforded cyanogen chloride in a relatively high yield of 13.3%, and the intermediates in the reaction were 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone-4-(N-chloro)imine and 4,6-dichloro-1,2-benzoquinone-2-(N-chloro)-imine, of which the latter was the main intermediate.     

Personal exposure monitoring to nitrogen dioxide

Measurement of personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide for short and long term was made with a sensitive NO₂ passive sampler by volunteer housewives and office workers in different seasons. These measurements were compared with the simultaneous measurement of outdoor and indoor concentration of the participants. A common result over all the measurements is the potential effect of using an unvented space heater to increase personal exposure. Mean personal exposure and indoor concentration are higher than outdoor levels elevated by the samples exposed to pollutant produced from the heater. Without an NO₂ source indoors, the mean outdoor concentrations are always highest among the data of measurement. A time-weighted indoor/outdoor activity model gives modestly improved estimates of personal exposure over those predicted from measured indoor concentrations alone.     

Potential utilization of riverbed sediments by hydrothermal solidification and its hardening mechanism

Hydrothermal solidification of riverbed sediments (silt) has been carried out in a Teflon (PTFE) lined stainless steel hydrothermal apparatus, under saturated steam pressure at 343–473 K for 2–24 h by calcium hydrate introduction. Tobermorite was shown to be the most important strength-producing constituent of the solidified silt. A longer curing time or a higher curing temperature was shown to be favorable to the tobermorite formation, thus promoting strength development; however, overlong curing time (24 h) seemed to affect the strength development negatively. The hardening mechanism consisted of the crystal growth/morphology evolution during the hydrothermal process. The species dissolved from the silt were precipitated first as fine particles, and then some of the particles seemed to build up the rudimental morphology of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel. The CSH gel, with precipitated particles, appeared to cause some reorganization within the matrix, which made the matrix denser and thus gave an initial strength development. Tobermorite, transformed inevitably from the CSH gel, reinforced the matrix with its interlocked structure, and thus further promoted the strength development.     

Properties and biodegradability of chain-extended copoly(succinic anhydride/ethylene oxide)

Chain-extension reactions were carried out using titanium-iso-propoxide (TIP) as a catalyst for a series of polyesters or copolyesterethers with low molecular weights (M _n =1500–10,000) synthesized by the ring-opening copolymerization of succinic anhydride (SA) with ethylene oxide (EO). The copolymers having aM _n from 25,000 to 50,000 of different properties were obtained. Both the melting point (T _m ) and the fusion heat (H), which indicate the crystallinity of the copolymers, rose with an increase in SA content in the copolymers. Semitransparent films were prepared by compression molding of the copolymers. The biodegradation of the copolymer films was evaluated by enzymatic hydrolysis by lipases and by an aerobic gas evolution test in standard activated sludge. The hydrolyzability of these copolymers by three kinds of lipases was affected by their copolymer composition SA/EO, form, andM _n . The copolyesterether (SA/EO=43/57,M _n =48,900) was more easily biodegraded by standard activated sludge compared to the polyester (SA/EO=47/53,M _n =36,300).Presented at the Pacifichem-95, December 17–22, 1995, Honolulu, Hawaii.     

Negatively-charged air conditions and responses of the human psycho-neuro-endocrino-immune network

BACKGROUND: Against increasing environmental adverse effects on human health such as those associated with water and ground pollution, as well as out- and indoor air conditions, trials were conducted to support and promote human health by improving the indoor air atmosphere. This study was performed to estimate the effect of negatively-charged air conditions on human biological markers related to the psycho-neuro-endocrino-immune (PNEI) network. OBJECTIVES: After construction of negatively-charged experimental rooms (NCRs), healthy volunteers were admitted to these rooms and control rooms (CTRs) and various biological responses were analyzed. METHODS: NCRs were constructed using a fine charcoal coating and applying an electric voltage (72 V) between the backside of walls and the ground. Various biological markers were monitored that related to general conditions, autonomic nervous systems, stress markers, immunological parameters and blood flow. RESULTS: Regarding the indoor environment, only negatively-charged air resulted in the difference between the CTR and NCR groups. The well-controlled experimental model-room to examine the biological effects of negatively-charged air was therefore established. Among the various parameters, IL-2, IL-4, the mean RR interval of the heart rate, and blood viscosity differed significantly between the CTR and NCR groups. In addition, the following formula was used to detect NCR-biological responses: Biological Response Value (BRV)=0.498+0.0005 [salivary cortisol]+0.072 [IL-2]+0.003 [HRM-SD]-0.013 [blood viscosity]-0.009 [blood sugar]+0.017 [pulse rate]. CONCLUSIONS: Negatively-charged air conditions activated the immune system slightly, smoothened blood flow and stabilized the autonomic nervous system. Although this is the first report to analyze negatively-charged air conditions on human biological responses, the long-term effects should be analyzed for the general use of these artificial atmospheres.     

Distribution of lipopolysaccharide,an indicator of bacterial biomass,in subtropical areas of the sea

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentrations, an indicator of bacterial biomass, were determined in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The distribution patterns of LPS were compared with those of chlorophyll a (Chl a), zooplankton biomass and the concentrations of several nutrients. LPS and total bacterial numbers in seawater were correlated with each other with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.84 at Stations 7, 8 and 10. Diurnal fluctuation of LPS was negligible, but Chl a varied slightly in the vertical water column. Zooplankton stayed at a depth of around 400 m during the daytime and ascended quickly to the surface (0–50 m) early in the evening. The profiles of LPS and Chl a were negatively correlated to each other in the water layers above the Chl a maximum peak (r=-0.74; excluding the samples from 75 m at Station 7 and 10 m at Station 11 due to inadequate data for the statistical analysis). LPS and zooplankton biomass during the night-time, in contrast, paralleled each other at 5 stations surveyed (r=0.71). The presence of zooplankton resulted in an increase in bacterial numbers in the seawater in vitro. Based on these results, the factors controlling the occurrence and abundance of bacteria and phyto- and zooplankton in the pelagic sea are discussed.     

Comparative analysis on the genetic population structures of the deep-sea whelks <Emphasis Type="Italic">Buccinum tsubai</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Neptunea constricta</Emphasis> in the Sea of Japan

The population structures of Buccinum tsubai and Neptunea constricta were compared using partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI gene. B. tsubai included four genetically distinguishable subpopulations (Hokkaido, Yamagata-Toyama, Yamato Bank, and San’in), which is consistent with the results of our previous study using mitochondrial 16SrRNA sequences. The genetic structure of N. constricta was also clear, but the lineage sorting corresponding to the geographical distribution was not as clear as that of B. tsubai. The difference between the genetic structures of these two species might be due to a difference in either their dispersal abilities or the historic distribution patterns in the Sea of Japan. The fossil record and nested clade analyses support the latter alternative. The four subpopulations of B. tsubai are estimated to have diverged 0.42–1.46 million years ago, providing support for the existence of intermediate water of normal salinity and oxygen concentration capable of sustaining B. tsubai between the low-salinity surface water and anoxic deep water during the Pleistocene glacial periods. The genetic diversity of the Yamato Bank subpopulation of B. tsubai was lower than that of the other subpopulations, which is likely attributable to the small size of the Yamato Bank subpopulation.