Production of efficient enzymes for flax retting by solid state fermentation with Aspergillus niger

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Yinghua ◽  
Liu Xiaolan ◽  
Zheng Xiqun ◽  
Wang Lu

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the optimum culture condition of flax-retting enzyme, and applying the enzyme liquors to retting. In addition to research the structure of flax stem in enzyme retting using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Design/methodology/approach – The influence of cultural parameters such as moisture level, temperature, incubation time and inoculum size were evaluated with respect to polygalacturonase and xylanase yield. The structure of flax stem was revealed by SEM. Findings – The flax was retted by dilute enzyme liquors (polygalacturonase/25 U/ml, xylanase/1 U/ml), and 24-h retting period was obtained. The SEM studies revealed the removal of a large amount of non-cellulosic gummy material of flax stem in enzyme retting. Originality/value – First, flax-retting enzyme containing higher-yield polygalacturonase, lower-yield xylanase and no cellulose was yielded by SSF. Second, the composition of enzyme could meet flax retting and no damage cellulosic fibre. Finally, only low-cost wheat bran, citrus peel powder and mineral salt were employed in substrate, which could reduce the overall cost of enzyme production and flax retting.

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shouxiang Jiang ◽  
Dagang Miao ◽  
Diandong Zhao

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interfacial nanostructures and the adhesions of the stainless steel (S.S) coating to the polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) leathers. Design/methodology/approach – PU leather and PVC leather deposit S.S nano-films on the surface of PU and PVC leathers in this study. The interfacial nanostructures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The experimental results revealed that the surface roughness of the substrates had extremely important influence on the morphology of nano-films. The adhesions of the S.S coating to the PU and PVC leathers were investigated by the peel-off test. Findings – The results showed that the adhesive performance of the S.S nano-films coating on PVC leather was better than that on the substrate of PU leather. Moreover, a weight loss of per peeling force calculating formulation is proposed to determine the bonding strength between the S.S films and the substrates. Originality/value – In this paper, influence of different substrates on surface morphology of S.S coating was studied by SEM and AFM. Moreover, the weight loss of per peeling force calculating formulation was used to discuss the bonding strength between the S.S coating and the substrates. The research methods presented in this paper are of innovation significance to a certain extent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 453-463
Author(s):  
Longfei Song ◽  
Zhiyong Liu ◽  
Lin Lu ◽  
Xiaogang Li ◽  
BaoZhuang Sun ◽  
...  

Purpose This paper aims to analyze a failure case of a P110 tube in a CO2 flooding well. Design/methodology/approach The chemical composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of the failed P110 tubing steel were tested, and met the API Spec 5CT standard. The fractures were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Findings Fracture was induced by stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and that the stress concentration caused by the mechanical damage played an important role in the failure. The failure case is a SCC failure affected by mechanical damage and galvanic corrosion. Originality/value The effect of the infiltration of groundwater was studied in the failure case. The stress concentration caused by the mechanical damage played an important role in the failure.


2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Juan Du ◽  
Yuning He ◽  
Pingli Liu ◽  
Yigang Liu ◽  
Xianghai Meng ◽  
...  

PurposeThis paper aims to analyze the corrosion and corrosion inhibition of N80 in 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent fluoroboric acid (HBF4) solution for acidizing operation.Design/methodology/approachThe corrosion rate, kinetic parameters (Ea, A) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔS) of N80 steel in fresh acid and spent acid, 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent HBF4, 10 per cent HCl and 8 per cent HBF4solutions were calculated through immersion tests. The corrosion and inhibition properties were studied through X-ray diffraction and electrochemical measurements. The corrosion morphology of the corrosion product was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).FindingsThe results demonstrated that the spent acid was the main cause of acidification corrosion, and the HBF4would cause serious corrosion to N80 steel. The results showed that the N80 steel was more seriously corroded in the spent acid than in fresh acid, and the hydrolysis of HBF4accelerates the dissolution process of N80 steel anode to control the corrosion reaction. The results showed that the acidification will definitely cause serious corrosion to the oil tube; therefore, necessary anti-corrosion measures must be taken in the acidification process.Originality/valueThe results showed that acidizing the formation with 10 per cent HCl + 8 per cent HBF4will definitely cause serious corrosion to the oil tube, especially when the spent acid flows back. Therefore, necessary anti-corrosion measures must be taken in the acidification process, especially in the spent acid flowback stage.


2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 8-19
Author(s):  
Stacy Brody

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to profile various types of Web-based tools to facilitate research collaboration within and across institutions. Design/methodology/approach Various Web-based tools were tested by the author. Additionally, tutorial videos and guides were reviewed. Findings There are various free and low-cost tools available to assist in the collaborative research process, and librarians are well-positioned to facilitate their usage. Practical implications Librarians and researchers will learn about various types of tools available at free or at low cost to fulfill needs of the collaborative research process. Social implications As the tools highlighted are either free or of low cost, they are also valuable to start-ups and can be recommended for entrepreneurs. Originality/value As the realm of Web-based collaborative tools continues to evolve, the options must be continually revisited and reviewed for currency.


2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 8-11
Author(s):  
Thomas Finley

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to review apps that will enable librarians to take back control of their own mental space and hopefully provide some means to relaxation. Sometimes it is hard to find a soothing space amidst the chaos of the outside world. Our library users turn to the author to provide these spaces in their own lives, but paradoxically, today’s librarian may find little relaxation within their own library’s walls. Design/methodology/approach – The author tests and reviews apps designed to help librarians relax. Findings – The author reviews various different apps designed to help librarians relax. Originality/value – The apps reviewed here will enable librarians to take back control of their own mental space and hopefully, provide some means to relaxation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 35-36

Purpose Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Developing a feeling of authenticity about products amongst the target customer base is an essential goal for marketers even in terms of low cost items. Consumers derive information from a broad range of marketing communications and consistency is a key element for success. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jochen Wirtz ◽  
Sven Tuzovic ◽  
Volker G. Kuppelwieser

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of marketing in today's enterprises and examines the antecedents of the marketing department's influence and its relationship with market orientation and firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from the West (i.e. the USA and Europe) and the East (i.e. Asia). Partial least squares (PLS) was used to estimate structural models. Findings – The findings support the idea that a strong and influential marketing department contributes positively to firm performance. This finding holds for Western and Asian, and for small/medium and large firms alike. Second, the marketing department's influence in a firm depends more on its responsibilities and resources, and less on internal contingency factors (i.e. a firm's competitive strategy or institutional attributes). Third, a marketing department's influence in the West affects firm performance both directly and indirectly (via market orientation). In contrast, this relationship is fully mediated among Eastern firms. Fourth, low-cost strategies enhance the influence of a firm's marketing department in the East, but not in the West. Research limitations/implications – The paper assumes explicitly that a marketing department's influence is an antecedent of its market orientation. While the paper finds support for this link, the paper did not test for dual causality between the constructs. Originality/value – Countering the frequent claim in anecdotal and journalistic work that the role of the marketing department diminishes, the findings show that across different geographic regions and firm sizes, strong marketing departments improve firm performance (especially in the marketing-savvy West), and that they should continue to play an important role in firms.


2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 1344-1359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bee Yee Liau ◽  
Pei Pei Tan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the consumer opinion towards the low-cost airlines or low-cost carriers (LCCs) (these two terms are used interchangeably) industry in Malaysia to better understand consumers’ needs and to provide better services. Sentiment analysis is undertaken in revealing current customers’ satisfaction level towards low-cost airlines. Design/methodology/approach – About 10,895 tweets (data collected for two and a half months) are analysed. Text mining techniques are used during data pre-processing and a mixture of statistical techniques are used to segment the customers’ opinion. Findings – The results with two different sentiment algorithms show that there is more positive than negative polarity across the different algorithms. Clustering results show that both K-Means and spherical K-Means algorithms delivered similar results and the four main topics that are discussed by the consumers on Twitter are customer service, LCCs tickets promotions, flight cancellations and delays and post-booking management. Practical implications – Gaining knowledge of customer sentiments as well as improvements on the four main topics discussed in this study, i.e. customer service, LCCs tickets promotions, flight cancellations or delays and post-booking management will help LCCs to attract more customers and generate more profits. Originality/value – This paper provides useful insights on customers’ sentiments and opinions towards LCCs by utilizing social media information.


2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Frenking

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is looking at Feel Good Management as a valuable tool to shape workplace culture and drive employee happiness: a low cost but priceless strategy for engaging a global workforce. Design/methodology/approach – A look back at Feel Good Management in practice after four years in global workforce. Findings – Very favorable impact on recruitment, retention and engagement. Research limitations/implications – A potentially valuable tool for retaining global talent with strong management support and continuous branding of the culture. Practical implications – One manager can shape and act as ambassador but the entire workforce must embrace the approach for true success. Social implications – Employees, especially millennials, care about far more than a paycheck. They want to feel valued and a part of something. Originality/value – Every company is different but any entity can benefit from a strategic focus on shaping workplace culture.


2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (17) ◽  
pp. 5794-5803 ◽  
Author(s):  
Komlavi Anani Afanou ◽  
Anne Straumfors ◽  
Asbjørn Skogstad ◽  
Ajay P. Nayak ◽  
Ida Skaar ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTSubmicronic fungal fragments have been observed inin vitroaerosolization experiments. The occurrence of these particles has therefore been suggested to contribute to respiratory health problems observed in mold-contaminated indoor environments. However, the role of submicronic fragments in exacerbating adverse health effects has remained unclear due to limitations associated with detection methods. In the present study, we report the development of an indirect immunodetection assay that utilizes chicken polyclonal antibodies developed against spores fromAspergillus versicolorand high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Immunolabeling was performed withA. versicolorfragments immobilized and fixed onto poly-l-lysine-coated polycarbonate filters. Ninety percent of submicronic fragments and 1- to 2-μm fragments, compared to 100% of >2-μm fragments generated from pure freeze-dried mycelial fragments ofA. versicolor, were positively labeled. In proof-of-concept experiments, air samples collected from moldy indoor environments were evaluated using the immunolabeling technique. Our results indicated that 13% of the total collected particles were derived from fungi. This fraction comprises 79% of the fragments that were detected by immunolabeling and 21% of the spore particles that were morphologically identified. The methods reported in this study enable the enumeration of fungal particles, including submicronic fragments, in a complex heterogeneous environmental sample.


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