bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabric Properties as Control Factors for Flexible Apparel Production Systems
Authors: Govindaraj M. , Chen B. , Koechling J.
Published: December 2007

Deals with the development of a control system for fabric pick‐and‐place operators based on the Clupicker device. Fabric mechanical properties are analysed for their influence on the motions performed in picking up fabric pieces from a stack. The performance of the picking device on various woven fabrics has been studied. A stepping motor drive to the crank of the Clupicker enabled us to control the normal force applied by the picking wheel on the fabric stack. By controlling the normal force we could make the Clupicker perform well for fabrics with very different properties. A linear regression was found between the minimum normal force required for effective performance of the picker and bending rigidity of the fabric.
A Benefits Study of Ergonomically Designed Chairs with Direct Labour Employees
Authors: Peck John C.
Published: December 2007

Focuses on measuring changes in productivity related to ergonomic improvements. Although most ergonomic studies focus on health benefits, describes a project which used a “real‐time shopfloor control system” to collect objective data to determine what effect, if any, the use of ergonomically designed chairs have on the productivity of apparel‐manufacturing employees. Subjective (interview) and objective data were collected in two apparel plants over a period of several months. Both “before” and “after” data were analysed to discover if fatigue or other factors related to productivity were changed.
Improved Methods for Colour Inventory Management in the Apparel Industry
Authors: Teel Dan R. , Aspland J. Richard , Jarvis James P. , Dunlap Karen L.
Published: December 2007

Describes a new method of instrumental shade sorting, Clemson Colour Clustering (CCC), which has been developed to address the deficiencies associated with the 555 method and its derivatives. CCC has been shown to produce fewer colour groups at a given colour tolerance with greater colorimetric uniformity within each group than 555. CCC has been implemented in co‐operation with Tanner Companies, Inc. to develop a practical system for colour inventory management. Identifies three distinct benefits and developments. First, the CCC system in conjunction with the CMC (2:1) colour difference formula has proved extremely useful in the establishment of objective criteria for setting colour tolerances. Secondly, the CCC method has been enhanced to permit multiple colour measurements from a single roll of goods (e.g. side‐centre‐side). Finally, the CCC method has been combined with a procedure for choosing rolls to satisfy yardage requirements for a cut which does not fragment the remaining colour inventory.
Directional Variations in Fabric Properties and Seam Quality
Authors: Gupta B.S. , Leek F.J. , Barker R.L. , Buchanan D.R. , Little T.J.
Published: December 2007

Examines the effects of directional variations in woven fabric properties on the behaviour of fabrics as they are plied and sewn together to form a seam. This is an important practical consideration, since garment manufacturing frequently involves the sewing of two fabric plies of completely different and constantly changing bias angles — none of which is along the grain line. Examines the variations in the properties of five woven materials, all lightweight and commonly used in women's summer apparel. The Kawabata Evaluation System (KES) was used to measure the mechanical and surface properties of strips, cut at different angles, from the test materials. To investigate the effect of orientation on seam quality, two plies cut from the same fabric but at different angles were sewn together under selected conditions. The resulting seams were characterized for seam quality using AATCC standards.
Apparel‐manufacturing Capital Investment Adviser
Authors: Davis J.S.
Published: December 2007

Apparel firms have been discouraged from investing in advanced manufacturing technology because it is difficult to justify. To help to resolve this problem, members of the Clemson Apparel Research group have designed a personal computer‐based system specifically to provide decision support to apparel firms which are considering the acquisition of new equipment. Describes the Apparel Manufacturing Capital Investment Adviser (AMCIA) system which includes worksheets which help to quantify cash flows typically associated with apparel‐manufacturing technology. In addition to “traditional” cash flows (those which are normally considered), the system accounts for two “non‐traditional” cash flows which are often overlooked in justifications: quality revenues and response‐time revenues. Results in a summary sheet which provides decision criteria for the overall investment: net present value (NPV), pay‐back, and return on investment (ROI). Reports a field study involving justification of unit production systems, which showed that the AMCIA system was well suited to analysing such an investment. Representatives of the two participating apparel companies each reviewed the AMCIA justification prepared for their firm and were favourably impressed by it.
Strength and Whiteness Retention of Stained and Treated Nurse's Uniform Fabrics
Authors: Garrison C. , Thackeray R. , Mangum S.
Published: December 2007

Soil and stain removal has always been a contributing factor in the acceptance of a neat and clean appearance for most types of wearing apparel. Investigates the strength and whiteness retention and degree of stain removal of representative nurse‐uniform fabrics, after removal of selected medicinal and other dye‐based stains. Although many fabric properties affect the ease of soil removal or the retention of fabric strength, the objective was to compare the serviceability of twill versus rib weave fabrics and soil‐release versus non‐soil‐release finished fabrics. Of the stains tested, the most problematic stain was that created by permanent marker. Although removed in the early stages of testing, it became increasingly difficult to maintain fabric whiteness.
Flexible Robotic Hand for Handling Fabric Pieces in Garment Manufacture
Authors: Ono Eiichi , Ichijo Hisao , Aisaka Noboru
Published: December 2007

Presents a basic idea about a flexible robotic hand for handling fabric pieces in garment manufacture, which is multi‐functional and useful for picking a fabric piece up correctly, transferring and setting it without slipping to any three‐dimensional point. The robotic hand employs a strain gauge sensor and is capable of sensing touch, of measuring the thickness of fabric and its tension. Robotic hands have more applications in computer integrated manufacturing.
Objective Evaluation of Seam Pucker
Authors: Inui Shigeru , Shibuya Atsuo
Published: December 2007

Seam pucker is one of the most important aspects of garment quality in the sewing process. Recently, automatic sewing systems have been developed and seam pucker or other defects would have to be automatically inspected in these systems. Two systems of automatic, contactless measurement of seam pucker have been developed. One of the measurement systems, with which surface shape of seam pucker was measured, is based on laser technology. Intensity of reflected ultrasonic wave is measured using another measurement system. The laser measurement system has been applied to moderate or severe seam pucker and the ultrasonic wave system has been applied to the accurate evaluation of very small seam pucker. The result of the evaluation by machine has to match the result of subjective evaluation by humans. To verify this, samples of seam pucker were evaluated using five judges. With the measurement data of surface shape of these samples, the power spectra of the wave form of seam pucker are calculated. Analyses and correlates the relationship between objective measurement and subjective evaluation by discriminant analysis, with the result of subjective evaluation and the power spectra of the samples. Having obtained these relationships, the degree of seam pucker can be measured objectively by both systems.
A New Concept in Garment Manufacture
Authors: Stylios G. , Fan J. , Sotomi J.O. , Deacon R.
Published: December 2007

Introduces a new concept which has been developed to combat the problems of sewability, named “the Sewability Integrated Environment”. It aims at knitted as well as woven materials and incorporates automated objective measurement systems to achieve automatic prediction of seam pucker, and sewing damage, on‐line optimum sewing conditions and the necessary amount of fabric property correction in fabric Finishing. Describes and discusses these systems and puts forward arguments and new ideas for future research in advance garment manufacture.
Bodice Pattern Development Using Somatographic and Physical Data
Authors: Shen Lewen , Huck Janice
Published: December 2007

Explores the geometric nature of the upper female torso using photographic data, physical measurements, and computer technology to develop bodice patterns. Body measurements, in addition to front and side view photographs, provided data for 12 female subjects participating in the study. These data were used to develop the experimental methodology and a computer program was written to generate sloper patterns for the upper female torso. A conventional pattern drafting method was used to develop hand‐drafted bodice patterns. An evaluation scale, which included 25 fitting criteria, was developed to compare the fit between the experimental and hand‐drafted bodices. For 12 of the 25 items on the scale, the experimental bodices were judged to have a better fit than those produced by the hand‐drafted method; for two items on the scale, the hand‐drafted bodices fit better. No statistically significant differences were found for the remaining items on the fit scale. This methodology shows potential for providing accurate, quickly‐generated bodice patterns.
Medical Clothing
Authors: Ng‐Yip Frency S.F.
Published: December 2007

Pressure therapy is generally accepted as an effective means of preventing and controlling hypertrophic scarring after burn injury. Pressure treatment based principally on the use of pressure garments is widely used in Hong Kong and many other countries. These garments are tailor‐made to the individual patient's measurement to provide a uniform and firm support to body contours, and they are designed individually for the area of injury. Attempts to review the existing practice of the various kinds of pressure garments on patients, and to provide a better understanding of the present use of fabric and production methods employed in the manufacturing of the garments. Includes a brief account of the problems encountered by both the patients and the medical staff.
The Global Textile and Apparel Industries
Authors: Yu Wong Yim , Chan Peng S.
Published: December 2007

The USA, one of the world's largest markets for textile products, has protected its textile and apparel industries from foreign competition since the beginning of this century. The overall effect of such protectionism has created a hostile environment for major textile/apparel exporting countries, particularly those from Asia. Reviews the impact of US protectionism and examines the strategies undertaken by the Asian countries in response to such protectionism. In particular, it is observed that these countries have begun to shift from traditional low‐cost strategies based on cheap labour to more differentiation strategies.
Teamwork in Clothing Factories: Experiences from The Netherlands
Authors: Peeters Marc
Published: December 2007

The Dutch clothing industry offers employment to about 20,000 employees. This industry, with about 150 enterprises, serves the Quick Response (QR) home market. Some pioneering firms try to build flexibility in their sewing rooms by installing teams of operatives. These teams have the responsibility for a complete task. In a research project for the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment the experiences of four companies were studied. Questions were posed such as: What kind of structural changes did the four companies apply? What kind of change process did they follow? What kind of effects in terms of quality of work and quality of organization can be monitored? The four companies produce the following products: jackets and trousers; industrial clothing; domestic textile articles; and jeans. Concludes that teamwork can indeed be profitable. The logical results especially are spectacular. Steering from the top and involvement of operatives are conditio sine qua non. Argues that attention has still to be paid to group dynamical skills and training facilities.
Progress in NC Stitching Machines: Improving Shoe Seam Appearance
Authors: Dunning N. , Preece C. , Sadek K.S.H. , Grantham J. , Owen S. , Taylor G.E. , Simmons J.E.L , Reedman D.C.
Published: December 2007

In recent years NC controlled lock‐stitch sewing machines operating on shoe upper sub‐assemblies held in flat pallets have become well‐established in shoemaking businesses. However, a major problem for manufacturers of high‐quality footwear is that such machines are subject to malformation of the lockstitch when the pallet moves in certain directions with respect to the sewing head. The stitch malformation, known as half‐hitching, results in seams which have an inconsistent and unsightly appearance. Examines the reasons for half‐hitching and strategies for its prevention. One approach involves rotating the stitching head about a vertical axis so that the direction of sewing is always maintained at a tangent to the seam. Systems such as this have been proposed in the past but have been prohibitively complicated and cumbersome. Introduces a stitching machine concept which enables a much simpler demonstration rotating head stitching machine to be built. It is expected that industrially‐developed units using the principle illustrated will find widespread use in the shoemaking industry. They will be relevant not only in conventional pallet loaded NC stitching machines, but also in a new generation of palletless machines.
Further Studies on Balance and Thread Consumptions of Lock‐stitch Seams
Authors: Amirbayat J. , Alagha M.J.
Published: December 2007

Studies the effect of thread tension and the stitch length, L, as well as the fabric thickness, t, and its compressive modulus, E, on the seam balance and total thread consumption.
North Carolina Apparel Pipeline Modelling Project
Authors: Hunter N.A. , King R.E. , Nuttle H.L.W. , Wilson J.R.
Published: December 2007

Discusses an ongoing programme, the overall purpose of which is to develop an integrated set of stochastic simulation models of firms in the textile, apparel and retail industries. The models are to be used primarily for research, education and industrial problem solving in the areas of plant and company operations with emphasis on Quick Response (QR) methodologies driven by Point‐of‐Sale (POS) data. A second objective is that of developing interactive management information systems using high‐level decision‐surface models (simulation metamodels) of expected system performance as a function of key input parameters.
COMPASS: A Software Tool for Equipment Acquisition Decision Making in the Apparel Industry
Authors: Riall William
Published: December 2007

Describes COMPASS, which was developed under the Apparel Manufacturing Technology Center (funded by the US Defense Logistics Agency) to assist the apparel industry in evaluating the viability of new equipment. The need for a product such as COMPASS was previously defined through a survey of equipment acquisition decision methods used by manufacturing, with emphasis on the apparel industry. This research, combined with other research results, concluded that current practices could be improved in several key ways. First, the payback criterion was used often inappropriately as a measure of investment viability rather than a measure of risk. Second, the use of net present value as a decision criterion, while superior to payback, was itself deficient in practice. COMPASS was designed to address these deficiencies by including benefits not previously quantified (thus correcting analyses previously biased against adoption of new technologies), and by recognizing that it will never be possible to quantify all the benefits, to offer an alternative, non‐traditional, and qualitatively based decision‐making procedure.
Hierarchical Production Planning
Authors: Bowers Melissa R. , Agarwal Anurag
Published: December 2007

Describes a model of a hierarchical planning system to provide a comprehensive approach to the complex production planning and scheduling problem. The model supplies a link between long‐term and short‐term planning; the three tiers of the hierarchy implement: long‐term inventory planning on a cost minimization basis; shorter‐term production planning; and daily sequencing. Emphasizes efficient processing and transmission of information.
Optimization of Fabric Manipulation during Pick/Place Operations
Authors: Eischen J.W. , Kim Y.G.
Published: December 2007

Uses a general large displacement beam theory to formulate a finite element‐based numerical method for simulating fabric drape, manipulation and contact. Presents numerical results corresponding to real fabric materials. Shows a broad class of fabric mechanics problems including how these effects can be solved.
Time Dependence of the Drape Coefficient of Fabrics
Authors: Vangheluwe L. , Kiekens P.
Published: December 2007

Fabric drape is an important parameter for the aesthetic appearance of fabrics. It can be measured using Cusick's drape meter, where the drape coefficent is obtained with a laborious cut‐and‐weigh method. Presents a method using image analysis for measuring the drape coefficient. With this method, time dependence of the drape coefficient is investigated, and is expressed in a model. Using this model, the drape coefficient obtained with the cut‐and‐weigh method can be calculated.
Clothing Heated with Textile Heating Elements
Authors: Wie¸źlak Wlodzimierz , Zieliński Janusz
Published: December 2007

Presents the possibility of utilization of the textile heating element for designing protective clothing. Investigation of the textile heating element has been carried out and it has been found that a conductive woven fabric of specific resistance should not be higher than 4*10−2 (Ω*m). Physical behaviour of the heating element can be described according to Ohm's law. A number of variants of heating packs have been tested by means of thermovision. Attention was paid to the problem of ensuring an appropriate distribution of temperatures on the inner side of clothing and obtaining a possible low temperature on the outside of clothing. A model of the system, body/heated clothing/environment, has been developed, making assumptions related to: the structure and physiology of the body; the structure of clothing and properties of materials; outer climatic conditions. Clothing prototypes were subjected to laboratory tests to verify correctness of the assumptions concerning both the heating system construction and the active clothing designing. The laboratory and functional investigations of active clothing have been positively verified by the developed model. Garments so designed are absolutely safe for the user and protects him efficiently against cooling‐down during his stay in a low temperature environment.
Seam Pucker Prediction Using Neural Computing
Authors: Stylios G. , Parsons‐Moore R.
Published: December 2007

Seam pucker can be predicted using thickness, weight, and weft and warp (cantilever) bending stiffness as inputs to a back propagation neural network technique. Correlation coefficients between network approximation and subjective assessment of higher than 0.875 have been reported, which validate the importance of fabric properties used and establish a new prediction technique based on artificial intelligent neural computing. Argues that the integration between the instruments used and the network can provide a new industry tool for combating seam pucker.
Garment‐sizing Systems: An International Comparison
Authors: Chun‐Yoon Jongsuk , Jasper Cynthia R.
Published: December 2007

Reviews the sizing systems developed in several countries — the USA, Austria, England, Germany, Hungary, Japan and South Korea. A comparison of these systems shows that: the way of labelling garment sizes has varied from one sizing system to another; most of the sizing systems classified figure types by height and drop value (the difference between hip girth and bust girth measurements), and the way of classifying garments and the key dimensions of garment types in each system was slightly different. Recognizing the need for greater uniformity, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) developed an international size labelling system. Many countries, including England, Japan, South Korea and Hungary, revised their size labelling systems by adopting the ISO system.
Production of Imitation Woollen Goods from Polyester Filament
Authors: Gu Huang
Published: December 2007

Discusses parameters which would affect the quality of imitation woollen goods made from polyester filaments. Analyses major factors such as raw materials, fabric structure, dyeing and finishing, etc. which are responsible for the final imitation effects. Includes examples of several typical fabrics.
A geometric characterization of orientation‐reversing involutions
Authors: Costa Antonio F. , Parlier Hugo
Published: December 2007

We give a geometric characterization of compact Riemann surfaces admitting orientation–reversing involutions with fixed points. Such surfaces are generally called real surfaces and can be represented by real algebraic curves with non‐empty real part. We show that there is a family of disjoint simple closed geodesics that intersect all geodesics of a pants decomposition at least twice in uniquely right angles if and only if such an involution exists. This implies that a surface is real if and only if there is a pants decomposition of the surface with all Fenchel–Nielsen twist parameters equal to 0 or ½.
Assembly Mechanism of the Contractile Ring for Cytokinesis by Fission Yeast
Authors: Vavylonis Dimitrios , Wu Jian-Qiu , Hao Steven , O'Shaughnessy Ben , Pollard Thomas D.
Published: December 2007

Animals and fungi assemble a contractile ring of actin filaments and the motor protein myosin to separate into individual daughter cells during cytokinesis. We used fluorescence microscopy of live fission yeast cells to observe that membrane-bound nodes containing myosin were broadly distributed around the cell equator and assembled into a contractile ring through stochastic motions, after a meshwork of dynamic actin filaments appeared. Analysis of node motions and numerical simulations supported a mechanism whereby transient connections are established when myosins in one node capture and exert force on actin filaments growing from other nodes.
Probing the Carrier Capture Rate of a Single Quantum Level
Authors: Berthe M. , Stiufiuc R. , Grandidier B. , Deresmes D. , Delerue C. , Stiévenard D.
Published: December 2007

The performance of many semiconductor quantum-based structures is governed by the dynamics of charge carriers between a localized state and a band of electronic states. Using scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we studied the transport of inelastic tunneling electrons through a prototypical localized state: an isolated dangling-bond state on a Si(111) surface. From the saturation of the current at an energy resonant with this state, the hole capture rate by the dangling bond was determined. By further mapping the spatial extension of its wave function, the localized nature of the level was found to be consistent with the small magnitude of its cross section. This approach illustrates how the microscopic environment of a single defect critically affects its carrier dynamics.
Evaluations of Different Hypervariable Regions of Archaeal 16S rRNA Genes in Profiling of Methanogens by
Archaea
-Specific PCR and Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis
Authors: Yu Zhongtang , García-González Rubén , Schanbacher Floyd L. , Morrison Mark
Published: December 2007

Different hypervariable (V) regions of the archaeal 16S rRNA gene (
rrs
) were compared systematically to establish a preferred V region(s) for use in
Archaea
-specific PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The PCR products of the V3 region produced the most informative DGGE profiles and permitted identification of common methanogens from rumen samples from sheep. This study also showed that different methanogens might be detected when different V regions are targeted by PCR-DGGE. Dietary fat appeared to transiently stimulate
Methanosphaera stadtmanae
but inhibit
Methanobrevibacter
sp. strain AbM4 in rumen samples.
Effect of pH on Intracellular Accumulation of Trace Concentrations of Hg(II) in
Escherichia coli
under Anaerobic Conditions, as Measured Using a
mer-lux
Bioreporter
Authors: Golding George R. , Sparling Richard , Kelly Carol A.
Published: December 2007

The effects of pH on the uptake and accumulation of Hg(II) by
Escherichia coli
were determined at trace, environmentally relevant, concentrations of Hg and under anaerobic conditions. Hg(II) accumulation was measured using inducible light production from
E. coli
HMS174 harboring a
mer-lux
bioreporter plasmid (pRB28). The effect of pH on the toxicity of higher concentrations of Hg(II) was measured using a constitutive
lux
plasmid (pRB27) in the same bacterial host. In this study, intracellular accumulation and toxicity of Hg(II) under anaerobic conditions were both significantly enhanced with decreasing pH over the pH range of 8 to 5. The pH effect on Hg(II) accumulation was most pronounced at pHs of <6, which substantially enhanced the Hg(II)-dependent light response. This enhanced response did not appear to be due to pH stress, as similar results were obtained whether cells were grown at the same pH as the assay or at a different pH. The enhanced accumulation of Hg(II) was also not related to differences in the chemical speciation of Hg(II) in the external medium resulting from the changes in pH. Experiments with Cd(II), also detectable by the
mer-lux
bioreporter system, showed that Cd(II) accumulation responded differently to pH changes than the net accumulation of Hg(II). Potential implications of these findings for our understanding of bacterial accumulation of Hg(II) under anaerobic conditions and for bacteria-mediated cycling of Hg(II) in aquatic ecosystems are discussed. Arguments are provided suggesting that this differential accumulation is due to changes in uptake of mercury.
Detection and Identification of Fungi Intimately Associated with the Brown SeaweedFucus serratus
Authors: Zuccaro Alga , Schoch Conrad L. , Spatafora Joseph W. , Kohlmeyer Jan , Draeger Siegfried , Mitchell Julian I.
Published: December 2007

The filamentous fungi associated with healthy and decayingFucus serratusthalli were studied over a 1-year period using isolation methods and molecular techniques such as 28S rRNA gene PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and phylogenetic and real-time PCR analyses. The predominant DGGE bands obtained from healthy algal thalli belonged to theLindra,Lulworthia,Engyodontium,Sigmoidea/Corollosporacomplex, andEmericellopsis/Acremonium-like ribotypes. In the culture-based analysis the incidence of recovery was highest forSigmoidea marinaisolates. In general, the environmental sequences retrieved could be matched unambiguously to isolates recovered from the seaweed except for theEmericellopsis/Acremonium-like ribotype, which showed 99% homology with the sequences of four different isolates, including that ofAcremonium fuci. To estimate the extent of colonization ofA. fuci, we used a TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR assay for intron 3 of the beta-tubulin gene, the probe for which proved to be species specific even when it was used in amplifications with high background concentrations of other eukaryotic DNAs. TheA. fucisequence was detected with both healthy and decaying thalli, but the signal was stronger for the latter. Additional sequence types, representing members from the Dothideomycetes, were recovered from the decaying thallus DNA, which suggested that a change in fungal community structure had occurred. Phylogenetic analysis of these environmental sequences and the sequences of isolates and type species indicated that the environmental sequences were novel in the Dothideomycetes.
pH Gradient-Induced Heterogeneity of Fe(III)-Reducing Microorganisms in Coal Mining-Associated Lake Sediments
Authors: Blöthe Marco , Akob Denise M. , Kostka Joel E. , Göschel Kathrin , Drake Harold L. , Küsel Kirsten
Published: December 2007

Lakes formed because of coal mining are characterized by low pH and high concentrations of Fe(II) and sulfate. The anoxic sediment is often separated into an upper acidic zone (pH 3; zone I) with large amounts of reactive iron and a deeper slightly acidic zone (pH 5.5; zone III) with smaller amounts of iron. In this study, the impact of pH on the Fe(III)-reducing activities in both of these sediment zones was investigated, and molecular analyses that elucidated the sediment microbial diversity were performed. Fe(II) was formed in zone I and III sediment microcosms at rates that were approximately 710 and 895 nmol cm
−3
day
−1
, respectively. A shift to pH 5.3 conditions increased Fe(II) formation in zone I by a factor of 2. A shift to pH 3 conditions inhibited Fe(II) formation in zone III. Clone libraries revealed that the majority of the clones from both zones (approximately 44%) belonged to the
Acidobacteria
phylum. Since moderately acidophilic
Acidobacteria
species have the ability to oxidize Fe(II) and since
Acidobacterium capsulatum
reduced Fe oxides at pHs ranging from 2 to 5, this group appeared to be involved in the cycling of iron. PCR products specific for species related to
Acidiphilium
revealed that there were higher numbers of phylotypes related to cultured
Acidiphilium
or
Acidisphaera
species in zone III than in zone I. From the PCR products obtained for bioleaching-associated bacteria, only one phylotype with a level of similarity to
Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
of 99% was obtained. Using primer sets specific for
Geobacteraceae
, PCR products were obtained in higher DNA dilutions from zone III than from zone I. Phylogenetic analysis of clone libraries obtained from Fe(III)-reducing enrichment cultures grown at pH 5.5 revealed that the majority of clones were closely related to members of the
Betaproteobacteria
, primarily species of
Thiomonas
. Our results demonstrated that the upper acidic sediment was inhabited by acidophiles or moderate acidophiles which can also reduce Fe(III) under slightly acidic conditions. The majority of Fe(III) reducers inhabiting the slightly acidic sediment had only minor capacities to be active under acidic conditions.
Isolation and Distribution of a Novel Iron-Oxidizing Crenarchaeon from Acidic Geothermal Springs in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Kozubal M. , Macur R. E. , Korf S. , Taylor W. P. , Ackerman G. G. , Nagy A. , Inskeep W. P.
Published: December 2007

Novel thermophilic crenarchaea have been observed in Fe(III) oxide microbial mats of Yellowstone National Park (YNP); however, no definitive work has identified specific microorganisms responsible for the oxidation of Fe(II). The objectives of the current study were to isolate and characterize an Fe(II)-oxidizing member of the
Sulfolobales
observed in previous 16S rRNA gene surveys and to determine the abundance and distribution of close relatives of this organism in acidic geothermal springs containing high concentrations of dissolved Fe(II). Here we report the isolation and characterization of the novel, Fe(II)-oxidizing, thermophilic, acidophilic organism
Metallosphaera
sp. strain MK1 obtained from a well-characterized acid-sulfate-chloride geothermal spring in Norris Geyser Basin, YNP. Full-length 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain MK1 exhibits only 94.9 to 96.1% sequence similarity to other known
Metallosphaera
spp. and less than 89.1% similarity to known
Sulfolobus
spp. Strain MK1 is a facultative chemolithoautotroph with an optimum pH range of 2.0 to 3.0 and an optimum temperature range of 65 to 75°C. Strain MK1 grows optimally on pyrite or Fe(II) sorbed onto ferrihydrite, exhibiting doubling times between 10 and 11 h under aerobic conditions (65°C). The distribution and relative abundance of MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences in 14 acidic geothermal springs containing Fe(III) oxide microbial mats were evaluated. Highly related MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences (>99% sequence similarity) were consistently observed in Fe(III) oxide mats at temperatures ranging from 55 to 80°C. Quantitative PCR using
Metallosphaera
-specific primers confirmed that organisms highly similar to strain MK1 comprised up to 40% of the total archaeal community at selected sites. The broad distribution of highly related MK1-like 16S rRNA gene sequences in acidic Fe(III) oxide microbial mats is consistent with the observed characteristics and growth optima of
Metallosphaera
-like strain MK1 and emphasizes the importance of this newly described taxon in Fe(II) chemolithotrophy in acidic high-temperature environments of YNP.
The Mucin Degrader
Akkermansia muciniphila
Is an Abundant Resident of the Human Intestinal Tract
Authors: Derrien Muriel , Collado M. Carmen , Ben-Amor Kaouther , Salminen Seppo , de Vos Willem M.
Published: December 2007

A 16S rRNA-targeted probe, MUC-1437, was designed and validated in order to determine the presence and numbers of cells of
Akkermansia muciniphila
, a mucin degrader, in the human intestinal tract. As determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization,
A. muciniphila
accounted more than 1% of the total fecal cells and was shown to be a common bacterial component of the human intestinal tract.
Behavior of
Bacillus anthracis
Strains Sterne and Ames K0610 in Sterile Raw Ground Beef
Authors: Tamplin Mark L. , Phillips Robert , Stewart Tod A. , Luchansky John B. , Kelley Lynda C.
Published: December 2007

The behavior of
Bacillus anthracis
Sterne spores in sterile raw ground beef was measured at storage temperatures of 2 to 70°C, encompassing both bacterial growth and death.
B. anthracis
Sterne was weakly inactivated (−0.003 to −0.014 log
10
CFU/h) at storage temperatures of 2 to 16°C and at temperatures greater than and equal to 45°C. Growth was observed from 17 to 44°C. At these intermediate temperatures,
B. anthracis
Sterne displayed growth patterns with lag, growth, and stationary phases. The lag phase duration decreased with increasing temperature and ranged from approximately 3 to 53 h. The growth rate increased with increasing temperature from 0.011 to 0.496 log
10
CFU/h. Maximum population densities (MPDs) ranged from 5.9 to 7.9 log
10
CFU/g. In addition, the fate of
B. anthracis
Ames K0610 was measured at 10, 15, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 70°C to compare its behavior with that of Sterne. There were no significant differences between the Ames and Sterne strains for both growth rate and lag time. However, the Ames strain displayed an MPD that was 1.0 to 1.6 times higher than that of the Sterne strain at 30, 35, and 40°C. Ames K0610 spores were rapidly inactivated at temperatures greater than or equal to 45°C. The inability of
B. anthracis
to grow between 2 and 16°C, a relatively low growth rate, and inactivation at elevated temperatures would likely reduce the risk for recommended ground-beef handling and preparation procedures.
Degradation of Glyoxylate and Glycolate with ATP Synthesis by a Thermophilic Anaerobic Bacterium,
Moorella
sp. Strain HUC22-1
Authors: Sakai Shinsuke , Inokuma Kentaro , Nakashimada Yutaka , Nishio Naomichi
Published: December 2007

The thermophilic homoacetogenic bacterium
Moorella
sp. strain HUC22-1 ferments glyoxylate to acetate roughly according to the reaction 2 glyoxylate → acetate + 2 CO
2
. A batch culture with glyoxylate and yeast extract yielded 11.7 g per mol of cells per substrate, which was much higher than that obtained with H
2
plus CO
2
. Crude extracts of glyoxylate-grown cells catalyzed the ADP- and NADP-dependent condensation of glyoxylate and acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) to pyruvate and CO
2
and converted pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and CO
2
, which are the key reactions of the malyl-CoA pathway. ATP generation was also detected during the key enzyme reactions of this pathway. Furthermore, this bacterium consumed
l
-malate, an intermediate in the malyl-CoA pathway, and produced acetate. These findings suggest that
Moorella
sp. strain HUC22-1 can generate ATP by substrate-level phosphorylation during glyoxylate catabolism through the malyl-CoA pathway.
Multiple-Locus Sequence Typing and Analysis of Toxin Genes in
Bacillus cereus
Food-Borne Isolates
Authors: Cardazzo Barbara , Negrisolo Enrico , Carraro Lisa , Alberghini Leonardo , Patarnello Tomaso , Giaccone Valerio
Published: December 2007

In the present study we characterized 47 food-borne isolates of
Bacillus cereus
using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Newly determined sequences were combined with sequences available in public data banks in order to produce the largest data set possible. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on a total of 296 strains for which MLST sequence information is available, and three main lineages—I, II, and III—within the
B. cereus
complex were identified. With few exceptions, all food-borne isolates were in group I. The occurrence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) among various strains was analyzed by several statistical methods, providing evidence of widespread lateral gene transfer within
B. cereus
. We also investigated the occurrence of toxin-encoding genes, focusing on their evolutionary history within
B. cereus
. Several patterns were identified, indicating a pivotal role of HGT in the evolution of toxin-encoding genes. Our results indicate that HGT is an important element in shaping the population structure of the
B. cereus
complex. The results presented here also provide strong evidence of reticulate evolution within the
B. cereus
complex.
Differentiation of
Clostridium botulinum
Serotype A Strains by Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis
Authors: Macdonald Thomas E. , Helma Charles H. , Ticknor Lawrence O. , Jackson Paul J. , Okinaka Richard T. , Smith Leonard A. , Smith Theresa J. , Hill Karen K.
Published: December 2007

Ten variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) regions identified within the complete genomic sequence of
Clostridium botulinum
strain ATCC 3502 were used to characterize 59
C. botulinum
strains of the botulism neurotoxin A1 (BoNT/A1) to BoNT/A4 (BoNT/A1-A4) subtypes to determine their ability to discriminate among the serotype A strains. Two strains representing each of the
C. botulinum
serotypes B to G, including five bivalent strains, and two strains of the closely related species
Clostridium sporogenes
were also tested. Amplified fragment length polymorphism analyses revealed the genetic diversity among the serotypes and the high degree of similarity among many of the BoNT/A1 strains. The 10 VNTR markers amplified fragments within all of the serotype A strains but were less successful with strains of other serotypes. The composite multiple-locus VNTR analysis of the 59 BoNT/A1-A4 strains and 3 bivalent B strains identified 38 different genotypes. Thirty genotypes were identified among the 53 BoNT/A1 and BoNT/A1(B) strains, demonstrating discrimination below the subtype level. Contaminating DNA within crude toxin preparations of three BoNT/A subtypes (BoNT/A1 to BoNT/A3) also supported amplification of all of the VNTR regions. These markers provide clinical and forensics laboratories with a rapid, highly discriminatory tool to distinguish among
C. botulinum
BoNT/A1 strains for investigations of botulism outbreaks.
Characterization of Shiga Toxin-Producing
Escherichia coli
Isolates Associated with Two Multistate Food-Borne Outbreaks That Occurred in 2006
Authors: Uhlich G. A. , Sinclair J. R. , Warren N. G. , Chmielecki W. A. , Fratamico P.
Published: December 2007

Shiga toxin-producing
Escherichia coli
isolates from two 2006 outbreaks were compared to other O157:H7 isolates for virulence genotype, biofilm formation, and stress responses. Spinach- and lettuce-related-outbreak strains had similar pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns, and all carried both
stx
2
and
stx
2c
variant genes. Cooperative biofilm formation involving an
E. coli
O157:H7 strain and a non-O157:H7 strain was also demonstrated.
Use of a Recombinant Fluorescent Substrate with Cleavage Sites for All Botulinum Neurotoxins in High-Throughput Screening of Natural Product Extracts for Inhibitors of Serotypes A, B, and E
Authors: Hines Harry B. , Kim Alexander D. , Stafford Robert G. , Badie Shirin S. , Brueggeman Ernst E. , Newman David J. , Schmidt James J.
Published: December 2007

The seven serotypes of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNTs) are zinc metalloproteases that cleave and inactivate proteins critical for neurotransmission. The synaptosomal protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) is cleaved by BoNTs A, C, and E, while vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP) is the substrate for BoNTs B, D, F, and G. BoNTs not only are medically useful drugs but also are potential bioterrorist and biowarfare threat agents. Because BoNT protease activity is required for toxicity, inhibitors of that activity might be effective for antibotulinum therapy. To expedite inhibitor discovery, we constructed a hybrid gene encoding (from the N terminus to the C terminus, with respect to the expressed product) green fluorescent protein, then a SNAP-25 fragment encompassing residues Met-127 to Gly-206, and then VAMP residues Met-1 to Lys-94. Cysteine was added as the C terminus. The expressed product, which contained the protease cleavage sites for all seven botulinum serotypes, was purified and coupled covalently through the C-terminal sulfhydryl group to maleimide-activated 96-well plates. The substrate was readily cleaved by BoNTs A, B, D, E, and F. Using this assay and an automated 96-well pipettor, we screened 528 natural product extracts for inhibitors of BoNT A, B, and E protease activities. Serotype-specific inhibition was found in 30 extracts, while 5 others inhibited two serotypes.
Identification by Quantitative Carrier Test of Surrogate Spore-Forming Bacteria To Assess Sporicidal Chemicals for Use against
Bacillus anthracis
Authors: Majcher Miles R. , Bernard Kathryn A. , Sattar Syed A.
Published: December 2007

The spores of six strains of
Bacillus anthracis
(four virulent and two avirulent) were compared with those of four other types of spore-forming bacteria for their resistance to four liquid chemical sporicides (sodium hypochlorite at 5,000 ppm available chlorine, 70,000 ppm accelerated H
2
O
2
, 1,000 ppm chlorine dioxide, and 3,000 ppm peracetic acid). All test bacteria were grown in a 1:10 dilution of Columbia broth (with manganese) incubated at 37°C for 72 h. The spore suspensions, heat treated at 80°C for 10 min to rid them of any viable vegetative cells, contained 1 × 10
8
to 3 × 10
8
CFU/ml. The second tier of the quantitative carrier test (QCT-2), a standard of ASTM International, was used to assess for sporicidal activity, with disks (1 cm in diameter) of brushed and magnetized stainless steel as spore carriers. Each carrier, with 10 μl (≥10
6
CFU) of the test spore suspension in a soil load, was dried and then overlaid with 50 μl of the sporicide being evaluated. The contact time at room temperature ranged from 5 to 20 min, and the arbitrarily set criterion for acceptable sporicidal activity was a reduction of ≥10
6
in viable spore count. Each test was repeated at least three times. In the final analysis, the spores of
Bacillus licheniformis
(ATCC 14580
T
) and
Bacillus subtilis
(ATCC 6051
T
) proved to be generally more resistant than the spores of the strains of
B. anthracis
tested. The use of one or both of the safe and easy-to-handle surrogates identified here should help in developing safer and more-effective sporicides and also in evaluating the field effectiveness of existing and newer formulations in the decontamination of objects and surfaces suspected of
B. anthracis
contamination.
Development of Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis for the Molecular Subtyping of
Enterobacter sakazakii
Authors: Mullane N. R. , Ryan M. , Iversen C. , Murphy M. , O'Gaora P. , Quinn T. , Whyte P. , Wall P. G. , Fanning S.
Published: December 2007

The genomic content of
Enterobacter sakazakii
strain ATCC BAA-894 was analyzed for variable-number tandem repeats (VNTRs). In this study we report the development of a multiple-locus VNTR analysis (MLVA) strategy for the subtyping of
E. sakazakii
. The method is based on a GeneScan analysis of four VNTR loci labeled with multiple fluorescent dyes. This approach was applied to a collection of 112 isolates representing all 16 of the currently defined
E. sakazakii
biogroups. MLVA successfully discriminated among these isolates and compared favorably with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The method was relatively fast and easy to perform. The potential value of MLVA as an epidemiological tool is discussed.
Suppressing Posttranslational Gluconoylation of Heterologous Proteins by Metabolic Engineering of
Escherichia coli
Authors: Aon Juan C. , Caimi Richard J. , Taylor Alexander H. , Lu Quinn , Oluboyede Femi , Dally Jennifer , Kessler Michelle D. , Kerrigan John J. , Lewis Tia S. , Wysocki Lisa A. , Patel Pramatesh S.
Published: December 2007

Minimization of chemical modifications during the production of proteins for pharmaceutical and medical applications is of fundamental and practical importance. The gluconoylation of heterologously expressed protein which is observed in
Escherichia coli
BL21(DE3) constitutes one such undesired posttranslational modification. We postulated that formation of gluconoylated/phosphogluconoylated products of heterologous proteins is caused by the accumulation of 6-phosphogluconolactone due to the absence of phosphogluconolactonase (PGL) in the pentose phosphate pathway. The results obtained demonstrate that overexpression of a heterologous PGL in BL21(DE3) suppresses the formation of the gluconoylated adducts in the therapeutic proteins studied. When this
E. coli
strain was grown in high-cell-density fed-batch cultures with an extra copy of the
pgl
gene, we found that the biomass yield and specific productivity of a heterologous 18-kDa protein increased simultaneously by 50 and 60%, respectively. The higher level of PGL expression allowed
E. coli
strain BL21(DE3) to satisfy the extra demand for precursors, as well as the energy requirements, in order to replicate plasmid DNA and express heterologous genes, as metabolic flux analysis showed by the higher precursor and NADPH fluxes through the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate shunt. This work shows that
E. coli
strain BL21(DE3) can be used as a host to produce three different proteins, a heterodimer of liver X receptors, elongin C, and an 18-kDa protein. This is the first report describing a novel and general strategy for suppressing this nonenzymatic modification by metabolic pathway engineering.
“Endomicrobia” and Other Bacteria Associated with the Hindgut ofDermolepida albohirtumLarvae
Authors: Pittman Geoffrey W. , Brumbley Stevens M. , Allsopp Peter G. , O'Neill Scott L.
Published: December 2007

Symbiotic bacteria residing in the hindgut chambers of scarab beetle larvae may be useful in paratransgenic approaches to reduce larval root-feeding activities on agricultural crops. We compared the bacterial community profiles associated with the hindgut walls of individualDermolepida albohirtumthird-instar larvae over 2 years and those associated with their plant root food source among different geographic regions. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis was used with universal andActinobacteria-specific 16S rRNA primers to reveal a number of taxa that were found consistently in allD. albohirtumlarvae but not in samples from their food source, sugarcane roots. These taxa included representatives from the “Endomicrobia,”Firmicutes,Proteobacteria, andActinobacteriaand were related to previously described bacteria from the intestines of other scarab larvae and termites. These universally distributed taxa have the potential to form vertically transmitted symbiotic associations with these insects.