Cross Breeding and Hybrid Identification of Sulphite-tolerant Hybrids of Saccharomyces uvarum

Yeast species belonging to Saccharomyces have great potential for the wine industry. However, the sulphite tolerance of most S. uvarum strains is quite poor compared with that of the other Saccharomyces strains. Inorder to get new S. uvarum strains with tolerance to sulphite, and also with good fermentation characteristics, 21 candidates were screened from three different crossing combinations of sensitive S. uvarum strains to one sulphitetolerant strain. Ten of these hybrids were sulphite tolerant and contained the FZF1 gene from both parents. Intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis confirmed their hybrid status, based on six primers that produced 55 clear and reproducible bands, including 32 that were polymorphic. Two hybrids had identical fingerprints, indicating that it was the same clone. Thus, nine different novel sulphite-resistant hybrids of S. uvarum were obtained. The selected hybrid strains fermented very well at 30ºC in Sauvignon Blanc grape juice containing 2 mM of sodium sulphite, with minor differences in fermentation performance. Two strains (namely C13 and C21) performed very similarly to the sulphite-tolerant parent A9 and a commercial S. cerevisiae strain EC1118, and the production offermentation aromas, namely propanol, isobutanol and isoamyl alcohol by C13 was found to be the highest. This is the first report of using hybridisation to breed the sulphite-tolerant S. uvarum strains

Recent developments of SPH in modeling explosion and impact problems

Explosion and impact problems are generally characterized by the presence of shock waves, intense localized materials response and intensive loadings. Most of the wave propagation hydro-codes for such problems use traditional grid based methods such as finite difference methods (FDM) and finite element methods (FEM). Though many successful achievements have been made using these methods, some numerical difficulties still exist. These numerical difficulties generally arise from large deformations, large inhomogeneities, and moving interfaces, free or movable boundaries. Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is a Lagrangian, meshfree particle method, and has been widely applied to different areas in engineering and science. SPH method has been intensively used for simulating high strain hydrodynamics with material strength, due to its special features of meshfree, Lagrangian and particle nature. In this paper, some recent developments of the SPH in modelling explosion and impact problems will be introduced. A modified scheme for approximating kernel gradient (kernel gradient correction, or KGC) has been used in the SPH simulation to achieve better accuracy and stability. The modified SPH method is used to simulate a number of problems including 1D TNT detonation, linear shaped charge and explosively driven welding. The effectiveness of the modified SPH method has been demonstrated by comparative studies of the SPH results with data from other resources

Preparación de sustitutos de grasa de leche humana y mejora de su estabilidad oxidativa

1,3-Dioleoyl-2-palmitoylglycerol (OPO) was synthesized by enzymatic interesterification using palm stearin rich in tripalmitin (PPP) and ethyl oleate. Enzymatic interesterification parameters such as temperature, water content, enzyme load, and substrate molar ratio were optimized. High contents of C52 (primarily OPO and its isomeric compounds) production (46.7%) and sn-2 palmitic acid (PA) content of 75.3% were detected. In addition, OPO-human milk fat substitute (HMFS) was blended with coconut, soybean, algal and microbial oils at a weight ratio of 0.70:0.18:0.11:0.004:0.007 to simulate fatty acids in human milk fat (HMF) according to the mathematical model. The main and important fatty acids in the Final-HMFS were within the ranges of those present in HMF. The Final-HMFS could promote the absorption of fats and minerals and the development of retina tissues in infants. The mixture of L-ascorbyl palmitate (L-AP) and vitamin E (VE) resulted in a synergistic antioxidant effect both in OPO-HMFS and OPO-HMFS emulsions. This finding has great significance in improving the quality and extending shelf-life of HMFS.Se sintetizó el 1,3-dioleoil-2-palmitoilglicerol (OPO), utilizando estearina de palma rica en tripalmitina (PPP) y oleato de etilo, mediante interesterificación enzimática. Se optimizaron los parámetros de la interesterificación enzimática, como la temperatura, el contenido de agua, la carga de enzimas y la relación molar del sustrato. Se lograron altos rendimientos de C52 (principalmente OPO y sus isómeros, 46,7%) y un contenido de ácido palmítico (PA) en sn-2 del 75,3%. Además, el sustituto graso de leche humana OPO (HMFS), se mezcló con aceites de coco, soja, algas y microbianos, en una proporción en peso de 0,70:0,18:0,11:0,004:0,007 para simular los ácidos grasos de la leche humana (HMF) de acuerdo con un modelo matemático. Los ácidos grasos principales e importantes en HMFS-Final estaban casi dentro de los rangos de los presentes en HMF. El HMFS-Final podría promover la absorción de grasas y minerales y el desarrollo de los tejidos de la retina en los bebés. La mezcla de palmitato de L-ascorbilo (L-AP) y vitamina E (VE) resultó tener un efecto antioxidante sinérgico, tanto en la emulsión OPO-HMFS como en la OPO-HMFS. Este hallazgo tiene una gran importancia para mejorar la calidad y prolongar la vida útil de HMFS

PSO-based Parameter Estimation of Nonlinear Kinetic Models for β-Mannanase Fermentation

Particle swarm optimization (PSO), as a novel evolutionary algorithm involved in social interaction for global space search, was firstly used in kinetic parameter estimation. Based on three developed nonlinear kinetic equations for bacterial cell growth, total sugar utilization and β-mannanase production by Bacillus licheniformis under the support of a batch fermentation process, various PSO algorithms as well as gene algorithms (GA) were developed to estimate kinetic parameters. The performance comparison among these algorithms indicates the improved PSO (Trelea 1) is most suitable for kinetic parameter estimation of β-mannanase fermentation. In order to find the physical-chemical-meanings of kinetic parameters from many optimized results, multiobjective optimization with a normalized weight method was adopted. The 9 desired parameters in equations were obtained by the Trelea 1 type PSO with two batches fermentation data, and the results predicted by the models were also in good agreement with the experimental observations

Compatibility Issues With Irregular Current Injection Islanding Detection Methods in Multi-DG Units Equipped With Grid-Connected Transformers

Compatibility issues with irregular current injection islanding detection methods are actually the problem that some irregular currents at the same frequency injected into the same line may cancel each other out and then the islanding detection may be impaired, which have been discussed under direct couple conditions (i.e., conditions without grid-connected transformers) in the literature. This article analyzes the issues under the opposite conditions where distributed generation (DG) units are equipped with grid-connected transformers, and is aimed at finding a solution. The analysis derives the setting formulas of key parameters for both three-phase and single-phase DG units, and shows that considering fault tolerance and practicability, only specific frequencies can be used for irregular currents. The usable frequencies are different under different cases. These conclusions are different from those based on direct couple conditions. By summarizing the conclusions based on conditions with grid-connected transformers achieved in this article and those based on direct couple conditions in the literature, a complete solution to compatibility issues is obtained. The conclusions in this article have been verified by the experiments and simulations at the end of this article

Foreword

This issue of the journal contains papers selected from contributions, presented during the Second Global Annual Conference on Materials Science and Engineering (CMSE2013), which was held in Xianning, Hubei, China, November 20–22, 2013

PSO-based Parameter Estimation of Nonlinear Kinetic Models for β-Mannanase Fermentation

Particle swarm optimization (PSO), as a novel evolutionary algorithm involved in social interaction for global space search, was firstly used in kinetic parameter estimation. Based on three developed nonlinear kinetic equations for bacterial cell growth, total sugar utilization and β-mannanase production by Bacillus licheniformis under the support of a batch fermentation process, various PSO algorithms as well as gene algorithms (GA) were developed to estimate kinetic parameters. The performance comparison among these algorithms indicates the improved PSO (Trelea 1) is most suitable for kinetic parameter estimation of β-mannanase fermentation. In order to find the physical-chemical-meanings of kinetic parameters from many optimized results, multiobjective optimization with a normalized weight method was adopted. The 9 desired parameters in equations were obtained by the Trelea 1 type PSO with two batches fermentation data, and the results predicted by the models were also in good agreement with the experimental observations

Preferential etching by flowing oxygen on the (100) surfaces of HPHT single-crystal diamond

Application of diamond is determined by its oxidation behaviour in some measure. Oxidation process of single-crystal diamond prepared under high pressure and high temperature has been studied by the thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope and Raman spectrometer. The result of a simultaneous thermal analysis indicates that single-crystal diamond is oxidized at ~ 818 °C at a heating rate of 5°C/min in the flowing oxygen. Based on the data of the thermal analysis at different heating rates, the activation energy is calculated by the Kissinger method. A weight loss rate increases with the rising heat treatment temperature from 600 to 800°C. After the oxidation at 800 °C, etch pits emerge on the {100} surfaces of single-crystal diamond, while the {111} surfaces are smooth. Shapes of the etch pits on the {100} surfaces are inverted pyramidal hollows, with edges direction parallel to the direction.Застосування алмазу в якійсь мірі визначається його поведінкою при окисленні. За допомогою термічного аналізу, скануючої електронної мікроскопії і спектроскопії комбінаційного розсіювання світла вивчено процес окислення монокристалічного алмазу, отриманого при високому тиску і високій температурі. Одночасний термічний аналіз показав, що монокристалічний алмаз окислюється при ~ 818 °С при швидкості нагріву 5 °С/хв в потоці кисню. На основі даних термічного аналізу при різних швидкостях нагрівання розраховано енергію активації за методом Кіссінджера. Швидкість втрати ваги зростає з підвищенням температури термообробки від 600 до 800 °C. Після окислення при температурі 800 °С ямки травлення з’являються на поверхні {100} монокристалічного алмазу, в той час як поверхні {111} гладкі. Форма ямок на поверхнях {100} – перевернуті пірамідальні западини з ребрами в напрямку паралельному .Применение алмаза в какой-то мере определяется его поведением при окислении. С помощью термического анализа, сканирующей электронной микроскопии и спектроскопии комбинационного рассеяния света изучен процесс окисления монокристаллического алмаза, полученного при высоком давлении и высокой температуре. Одновременный термический анализ показывает, что монокристаллический алмаз окисляется при ~ 818 °С при скорости нагрева 5 °С/мин в потоке кислорода. На основе данных термического анализа при различных скоростях нагрева рассчитана энергия активации по методу Киссинджера. Скорость потери веса возрастает с повышением температуры термообработки от 600 до 800 °C. После окисления при температуре 800 °С ямки травления появляются на поверхности {100} монокристаллического алмаза, в то время как поверхности {111} гладкие. Форма ямок на поверхностях {100} – перевернутые пирамидальные впадины с ребрами в направлении параллельном

Respuestas del δ13C foliar y características foliares a la precipitación y temperatura en un ecosistema árido del noroeste de China

El δ13C foliar es ampliamente usado para explicar estrategias relacionadas con la disponibilidad de recursos en diferentes ambientes. Sin embargo, la respuesta conjunta del δ13C foliar a la precipitación y temperatura así como la relación entre el δ13C foliar y las características foliares no están claras. El δ13C foliar y su relación con las características foliares [tamaño de hoja (LS), longitud foliar (LL), ancho foliar (LW), relación entre la longitud y el ancho foliar (L:W), área foliar específica (SLA) y concentración de N foliar (en una base de peso seco) (Nmass)] fueron investigadas en la especie de arbusto dominante Nitraria tangutorum Bobr en la región árida (Dengkou y Minqin) del noroeste de China. El estudio se efectuó bajo condiciones de varias cantidades de precipitación simuladas (PGS) y temperaturas ambientales (TGS) en las estaciones de crecimiento de 2008, 2009 y 2010. Los resultados mostraron que LS, LW, LL, SLA y Nmass se incrementaron significativamente cuando las cantidades de PGS se incrementaron, pero hubo tendencias de reducción en dichas características cuando las TGS aumentaron. Sin embargo, la mayoría de las relaciones negativas entre las características foliares y las TGS no fueron obvias en Minqin. En ambos sitios, L:W se incrementó cuando las PGS y TGS aumentaron. Hubo un cambio en la relación negativa entre el δ13C foliar-PGS a través de Minqin y Dengkou, lo cual condujo a la falta de efectos de la precipitación en el δ13C foliar a través de ambos sitios, y mayor δ13C foliar a menor precipitación en Minqin. A través de Minqin y Dengkou, PGS solo pudo explicar un 14% de la variación en el δ13C foliar. La combinación de PGS y TGS pudo explicar un 64% de la variación en el δ13C foliar. Las características foliares (LW y L:W) mejoraron aún más la estimación del δ13C foliar. Las combinaciones de PGS, TGS, LW y L:W pudieron explicar un 84% de la variación en el δ13C foliar. Nuestro estudio demostró la importancia de las características foliares en explorar las respuestas del δ13C foliar a cambios globales en ecosistemas áridos.Leaf δ13C is widely used to explain plant strategies related to resource availability in different environments. To understand the coupled response of leaf δ13C to precipitation, temperature and the relationship between leaf δ13C and leaf traits in arid ecosystems, the leaf δ13C and leaf traits (leaf size (LS), leaf length (LL), leaf width (LW), leaf length to width ratio (L:W), specific leaf area (SLA) and mass-based leaf nitrogen concentration (Nmass)) of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr. under simulated increasing precipitation (PGS) and ambient temperature (TGS) in plant growing season from 2008 to 2010 and the relationships between leaf δ13C and leaf traits were investigated in the arid region (Dengkou and Minqin) of northwestern China. Our results showed that LS, LW, LL, SLA and Nmass significantly increased with increasing PGS, but had downward tendencies with increasing TGS although the majority of the negative relationships between leaf traits and TGS were not obvious in Minqin. At the two study sites, L:W increased simultaneously with increasing PGS and TGS. There was a shift in the negative leaf δ13C-PGS relationship across Minqin and Dengkou, which conduce to the lacking effect of precipitation on leaf δ13C across the two sites and higher leaf δ13C in lower precipitation fields in Minqin. Across Minqin and Dengkou, PGS could only explain 14% of the variation in leaf δ13C. The combinations of PGS and TGS could explain 64% of the variation in leaf δ13C. Leaf traits (LW and L:W) could be used to further improve the estimation of leaf δ13C. The combinations of PGS, TGS, LW and L:W could explain 84 % of the variation in leaf δ13C. Our study demonstrated the importance of leaf traits in exploring the responses of leaf δ13C to global changes in arid ecosystems.Fil: Xin, Z.M.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Institute of Desertification Studies; China. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Experimental Center of Desert Forestry; ChinaFil: Liu, M.H.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Experimental Center of Desert Forestry; ChinaFil: Lu, Q.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Institute of Desertification Studies; China. State Forestry Administration. Kumtag Desert Ecosystem Research Station; ChinaFil: Busso, Carlos Alberto. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiárida; Argentina. State Forestry Administration. Kumtag Desert Ecosystem Research Station; ChinaFil: Zhu, Y.J.. State Forestry Administration. Kumtag Desert Ecosystem Research Station; China. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Institute of Desertification Studies; ChinaFil: Li, Z.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Experimental Center of Desert Forestry; ChinaFil: Huang, Y.R.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Experimental Center of Desert Forestry; ChinaFil: Li, X.L.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Experimental Center of Desert Forestry; ChinaFil: Luo, F.M.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Experimental Center of Desert Forestry; ChinaFil: Bao, F.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Institute of Desertification Studies; ChinaFil: Qian, J.Q.. Henan Agricultural University. College of Forestry; ChinaFil: Li, Y.H.. Chinese Academy of Forestry. Institute of Desertification Studies; China. State Forestry Administration. Kumtag Desert Ecosystem Research Station; Chin