The Escherichia coli HU-2 gene was cloned using a DNA fragment from the HU-1 gene as a probe. The amino acid sequence of the HU-2 protein deduced from the nucleotide sequence is in good agreement with the published sequence. The nucleotide sequence has a possible promoter and a typical ribosomal binding site upstream of the translation initiation codon (AUG) and a possible rho-independent terminater site downstream of the termination codon (UAA) of the gene.

Woody biomass (Acacia Mangium) which contains 43 % (dry basis) of oxygen was converted by treatment in liquid water at temperature ranging from 270 to 350 ℃ , pressures 8.3 to 18.4 MPa, and holding time 10 minutes using an autoclave of 10 l capacity. At these reaction conditions a significant proportion of the oxygen was removed and the oxygen content of the solid product became 14-24 %. Oxygen removal increased the carbon content and the heating value, leading to a product with more sub-bituminous and bituminous coal-like properties. This solid product having heating values of 6,900-7,160 kcal / kg (dry basis) is an excellent fuel because of its higher volatile matter content, low sulfur and low ash. After cooling down the reaction mixture to ambient temperatures, the liquid product containing the organic components was dissolved in the process water. It is composed of mainly methyl alcohol, acetic acid, components derived from cellulose and hemi-cellulose such as 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde and furfural, and lignin components such as 2, 6-dimethoxy-phenol and guaiacol. The mechanism of the conversion process is discussed through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Spectroscopy analysis results.

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