Miyuki Takeuchi

Superior reinforcement effect of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils in polystyrene matrix: optical, thermal, and mechanical studies.

Polystyrene (PS) composites reinforced with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNs) with various weight ratios were fabricated by casting and vacuum-drying mixtures of PS/N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solution and TOCN/DMF dispersion. TOCNs of 3 to 4 nm width were dispersed homogeneously at the individual nanofibril level in the PS matrix, such that the TOCN/PS nanocomposite films exhibited high optical transparencies and their tensile strengths, elastic moduli, and thermal dimensional stabilities increased with increasing TOCN content. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed that the storage modulus of the TOCN/PS films increased significantly with TOCN content above the glass-transition temperature of PS by the formation of an interfibrillar network structure of TOCNs in the PS matrix, based on percolation theory. The outstanding and effective polymer reinforcement by TOCNs results from their high aspect ratio, high crystallinity, and nanodispersibility in the PS matrix.

Formation of Highly Twisted Ribbons in a Carboxymethylcellulase Gene-Disrupted Strain of a Cellulose-Producing Bacterium

Cellulases are enzymes that normally digest cellulose; however, some are known to play essential roles in cellulose biosynthesis. Although some endogenous cellulases of plants and cellulose-producing bacteria are reportedly involved in cellulose production, their functions in cellulose production are unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that disruption of the cellulase (carboxymethylcellulase) gene causes irregular packing of de novo-synthesized fibrils in Gluconacetobacter xylinus, a cellulose-producing bacterium. Cellulose production was remarkably reduced and small amounts of particulate material were accumulated in the culture of a cmcax-disrupted G. xylinus strain (F2-2). The particulate material was shown to contain cellulose by both solid-state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Electron microscopy revealed that the cellulose fibrils produced by the F2-2 cells were highly twisted compared with those produced by control cells. This hypertwisting of the fibrils may reduce cellulose synthesis in the F2-2 strains.

Micro-CT observations of the 3D distribution of calcium oxalate crystals in cotyledons during maturation and germination in Lotus miyakojimae seeds

The cotyledon of legume seeds is a storage organ that provides nutrients for seed germination and seedling growth. The spatial and temporal control of the degradation processes within cotyledons has not been elucidated. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals, a common calcium deposit in plants, have often been reported to be present in legume seeds. In this study, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was employed at the SPring-8 facility to examine the three-dimensional distribution of crystals inside cotyledons during seed maturation and germination of Lotus miyakojimae (previously Lotus japonicus accession Miyakojima MG-20). Using this technique, we could detect the outline of the embryo, void spaces in seeds and the cotyledon venation pattern. We found several sites that strongly inhibited X-ray transmission within the cotyledons. Light and polarizing microscopy confirmed that these areas corresponded to CaOx crystals. Three-dimensional observations of dry seeds indicated that the CaOx crystals in the L. miyakojimae cotyledons were distributed along lateral veins; however, their distribution was limited to the abaxial side of the procambium. The CaOx crystals appeared at stage II (seed-filling stage) of seed development, and their number increased in dry seeds. The number of crystals in cotyledons was high during germination, suggesting that CaOx crystals are not degraded for their calcium supply. Evidence for the conservation of CaOx crystals in cotyledons during the L. miyakojimae germination process was also supported by the biochemical measurement of oxalic acid levels.

Single microfilaments mediate the early steps of microtubule bundling during preprophase band formation in onion cotyledon epidermal cells

Actin–microtubule interactions have been postulated to play an important role in the formation of the preprophase microtubule band, which predicts the future division site in plants. Electron tomography reveals that microfilaments are used as bridging structures to draw widely spaced microtubules together during microtubule band formation.

Immunoelectron Microscopy of Cryofixed and Freeze-Substituted Plant Tissues

Cryofixation and freeze-substitution techniques provide excellent preservation of plant ultrastructure. The advantage of cryofixation is not only in structural preservation, as seen in the smooth plasma membrane, but also in the speed in arresting cell activity. Immunoelectron microscopy reveals the subcellular localization of molecules within cells. Immunolabeling in combination with cryofixation and freeze-substitution techniques provides more detailed information on the immunoelectron-microscopic localization of molecules in the plant cell than can be obtained from chemically fixed tissues. Here, we introduce methods for immunoelectron microscopy of cryofixed and freeze-substituted plant tissues.

Compositional changes of human hair melanin resulting from bleach treatment investigated by nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry

It is important to understand the influence of bleach treatment on human hair because it is one of the most important chemical treatments in hair cosmetic processes. A comparison of the elemental composition of melanin between virgin hair and bleached hair would provide important information about the structural changes of melanin. To investigate the elemental composition of melanin granules in virgin black hair and bleached hair, these hair cross‐sections are analyzed by using a nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS).

Grain Boundary Engineering of Alumina Ceramics

Oxygen permeability through alumina wafers was evaluated at high temperatures up to 1923 K to elucidate the mass-transfer mechanisms of polycrystalline alumina and serve as a model for protective alumina film formed on heat-resistant alloys. Oxygen permeation proceeded via grain boundary (GB) diffusion of oxygen from the higher oxygen partial pressure (PO2) surface side to the lower PO2 surface side, along with the simultaneous GB diffusion of aluminum in the opposite direction to maintain the Gibbs–Duhem relationship. Oxygen GB diffusion coefficients in the vicinity of the PO2(hi) surface were lower than those of oxygen GB self-diffusion without an oxygen potential gradient (dµO). When dµO was applied to the wafer, the oxygen and aluminum fluxes at the outflow side of the wafer were significantly larger than those at the inflow side. Ln (Y and Lu) and Hf segregation at the GBs selectively reduced the diffusivity of oxygen and aluminum, respectively. Thus, the mesoscopic arrangements of segregating dopants, which were selected by taking into consideration the behavior of the diffusion species and the role of dopants, enabled the alumina film to have enhanced oxygen shielding capability and structural stability at high temperatures. Furthermore, the GB diffusion data derived from the oxygen permeation experiments were compared to those for alumina scale formed by the so-called two-stage oxidation of alumina-forming alloys.