INDUSTRY_MMT Converter for MPEG-2 TS Audio/Video

<div>1. We developed a bidirectional MMT converter module for MPEG-2 TS Audio/Video.</div><div>2. The converter equips existing encoders/decoders with MMT functions including robust transport using FireFort-LDGM FEC, which assists in economical transition to MMT.</div><div>3. Currently, we are developing a 4K/120P hierarchical transport system using MMT, which transports 60P sub-bitstream and 120P subset separately.</div

Kinetic Analysis of a Solid Base-Catalyzed Reaction in Sub- and Supercritical Water Using Aldol Condensation with Mg(OH)₂ as a Model

The kinetics of aldol condensation between acetone and benzaldehyde catalyzed by Mg­(OH)₂ in sub- and supercritical water at various temperatures (250–450 °C) and pressures (23–31 MPa) was investigated to elucidate the effects of water properties on solid base catalysis. The kinetics obey the Eley–Rideal (ER) mechanism, in which the reaction occurs between acetone enolate adsorbed on the catalyst and benzaldehyde in the bulk phase. Minimal benzaldehyde is adsorbed on the catalyst because of competitive adsorption with water; thus, benzaldehyde in the bulk phase mainly precipitates. The pressure dependence indicates that the reaction rate is affected by the competitive adsorption of water and acetone, as expected for the ER mechanism, and by changes in the solvent properties of supercritical water. The increase in the activation energy and the decrease in the amount of adsorbed acetone with increasing pressure are plausible effects of the solvent properties

High-Speed Morphology Control of Boehmite Nanoparticles by Supercritical Hydrothermal Treatment with Carboxylic Acids

This study demonstrates that the morphology of boehmite (AlOOH) nanoparticles can be controlled over a short timespan by supercritical hydrothermal treatment in the presence of alkyl carboxylic acids including hexanoic, octanoic, decanoic, tetradecanoic, and octadecanoic acids. Boehmite nanoparticles were treated with carboxylic acid in supercritical water at 400 °C and at a water density of 0.35 g/cm³ in a batch-type reactor. When the carboxylic acid was not added, the particles were shaped as rhombic plates. However, the addition of carboxylic acid changed the crystal morphology to hexagonal plates. The aspect ratio (i.e., [length along the <i>a</i>-axis]/[length along the <i>c</i>-axis]) of the rhombic plates increased with a treatment time of 2–30 min, which is a much shorter timespan than that used for conventional hydrothermal crystallization. The aspect ratio of the hexagonal plates increased with increasing concentration of alkyl carboxylic acids. These results clearly indicate that carboxylic acids enhance the dissolution and recrystallization of boehmite. The aspect ratio increased with decreasing length of the alkyl chain of alkyl-carboxylic acid added to the system. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that carboxylic acids modified the surface of the boehmite particles. The coverage of the alkyl carboxylic acid on the surface of the nanoparticles was evaluated from the weight loss curve obtained from TGA, and the surface area was evaluated from transmission electron microscopy, which showed that the aspect ratio of the particles increased with increasing the coverage. The results suggest that the carboxylic acid suppresses crystal growth along the shorter axis through surface-capping, thus enhancing dissolution and crystal growth along the <i>a</i>-axis

Characterization of cellulolytic enzyme system of <i>Schizophyllum commune</i> mutant and evaluation of its efficiency on biomass hydrolysis

<p><i>Schizophyllum commune</i> is a basidiomycete equipped with an efficient cellulolytic enzyme system capable of growth on decaying woods. In this study, production of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes from <i>S. commune</i> mutant G-135 (SC-Cel) on various cellulosic substrates was examined. The highest cellulase activities including CMCase, FPase, and β-glucosidase were obtained on Avicel-PH101 while a wider range of enzymes attacking non-cellulosic polysaccharides and lignin were found when grown on alkaline-pretreated biomass. Proteomic analysis of SC-Cel also revealed a complex enzyme system comprising seven glycosyl hydrolase families with an accessory carbohydrate esterase, polysaccharide lyase, and auxiliary redox enzymes. SC-Cel obtained on Avicel-PH101 effectively hydrolyzed all agricultural residues with the maximum glucan conversion of 98.0% using corn cobs with an enzyme dosage of 5 FPU/g-biomass. The work showed potential of SC-Cel on hydrolysis of various herbaceous biomass with enhanced efficiency by addition external β-xylosidase.</p> <p>Enzymatic hydrolysis of alkaline-pretreated biomass by Sc-Cel and yield enhancement by external β-xylosidase (BX).</p

Bacteriologically positive cases of active tuberculosis diagnosed by the investigation protocol.

<p>Ten of 24 subjects diagnosed with active TB in the protocol showed positive culture for <i>M. tuberculosis</i>. Of these 10 subjects, 3 were missed by chest X-ray.</p

Contact investigation protocol for tuberculosis.

<p>The subjects were stratified into 3 groups according to the results of QFT-3G, chest X-ray, and chest CT.</p

CT findings of active TB.

<p>A chest CT image of the left upper lobe of the lung in a 19-year-old subject demonstrated clustered non-calcified nodules associated with dilated peripheral airways (thin arrows) and a cavitation (arrow head) with dilated and thickened subsegmental bronchus (white arrow).</p

Comparison of QFT-3G values at screening between the active TB group and latent (LTBI) group.

<p>Comparison showed a statistically significantly higher value in the active TB group than in the LTBI group.</p

Comparison of QFT-3G values between the positive and negative culture groups at diagnosis of active TB.

<p>Comparison showed no significant difference between the 2 groups.</p

Comparison of QFT-3G values at diagnosis and after treatment of active TB.

<p>Comparison showed a statistically significant reduction of QFT-3G values after treatment.</p