Stelco Inc.

About: Stelco Inc. is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Electromagnetic coil & Casting (metalworking). The organization has 73 authors who have published 64 publications receiving 720 citations.

Coupling the CRISPR/Cas9 System with Lambda Red Recombineering Enables Simplified Chromosomal Gene Replacement in Escherichia coli.

Abstract: To date, most genetic engineering approaches coupling the type II Streptococcus pyogenes clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/Cas9 system to lambda Red recombineering have involved minor single nucleotide mutations. Here we show that procedures for carrying out more complex chromosomal gene replacements in Escherichia coli can be substantially enhanced through implementation of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. We developed a three-plasmid approach that allows not only highly efficient recombination of short single-stranded oligonucleotides but also replacement of multigene chromosomal stretches of DNA with large PCR products. By systematically challenging the proposed system with respect to the magnitude of chromosomal deletion and size of DNA insertion, we demonstrated DNA deletions of up to 19.4 kb, encompassing 19 nonessential chromosomal genes, and insertion of up to 3 kb of heterologous DNA with recombination efficiencies permitting mutant detection by colony PCR screening. Since CRISPR/Cas9-coupled recombineering does not rely on the use of chromosome-encoded antibiotic resistance, or flippase recombination for antibiotic marker recycling, our approach is simpler, less labor-intensive, and allows efficient production of gene replacement mutants that are both markerless and "scar"-less.

Non-recovery coke oven gas combustion system

Abstract: A system for transporting and burning under negative pressure in a boiler a raw coke oven gas to produce steam energy. The system has the usual battery of coke ovens and corresponding ascension pipes connected to a collector main. Flushing liquor is sprayed into the hot coke oven gases to effect cooling in the collector main. A transport main delivers the cooled raw coke oven gases and flushing liquor to a burner of a steam producing boiler where the transport main includes a downcomer for separating the raw coke oven gas from the flushing liquor. The coke oven gas is burned in the boiler where a suction fan is provided at the exhaust of the boiler to develop a negative pressure in the system where the boiler has reinforced walls to withstand the negative pressure. A change in negative pressure in the system is detected and monitored by a controller system which varies draw of the suction fan in response to a detected change in negative pressure in the system. The system is readily retrofitted to existing coke ovens and in turn replaces the usual by-products plant. The generated steam may be used in the co-generation of electrical or mechanical energy. The system may be controlled in a manner to minimize and/or eliminate surplus flushing liquors.

Mold behavior and its influence on quality in the continuous casting of steel slabs: Part i. Industrial trials, mold temperature measurements, and mathematical modeling

Abstract: An extensive study has been conducted to elucidate mold behavior and its influence on quality during the continuous casting of slabs. The study combined industrial measurements, mathe matical modeling, and metallographic examination of cast slab samples. The industrial mea surements involved instrumenting an operating slab mold with 114 thermocouples in order to determine the axial mold wall temperature profiles for a wide range of casting conditions. A three-dimensional (3-D) heat-flow model of the mold wall was developed to characterize the heat fluxes in the mold quantitatively from the measured mold temperature data. Furthermore, heat-flow models were developed to examine steel solidification phenomena and mold flux behavior at the meniscus. Slab samples collected during the industrial trials were examined metallographically to evaluate the cast structure and defects. Owing to the length of the study, it is presented in two parts, the first of which describes the experimental techniques employed in the instrumentation of the mold together with the details of the industrial trials and mold temperature measurements. Also, the mathematical modeling technique applied to determine the axial heat-flux profiles from the measured mold temperature data is presented. It is shown that a fully 3-D model of the mold wall is needed to convert the measured temperatures to heat-flux profiles properly.

Extending CRISPR-Cas9 Technology from Genome Editing to Transcriptional Engineering in the Genus Clostridium.

Abstract: The discovery and exploitation of the prokaryotic adaptive immunity system based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins have revolutionized genetic engineering. CRISPR-Cas tools have enabled extensive genome editing as well as efficient modulation of the transcriptional program in a multitude of organisms. Progress in the development of genetic engineering tools for the genus Clostridium has lagged behind that of many other prokaryotes, presenting the CRISPR-Cas technology an opportunity to resolve a long-existing issue. Here, we applied the Streptococcus pyogenes type II CRISPR-Cas9 (SpCRISPR-Cas9) system for genome editing in Clostridium acetobutylicum DSM792. We further explored the utility of the SpCRISPR-Cas9 machinery for gene-specific transcriptional repression. For proof-of-concept demonstration, a plasmid-encoded fluorescent protein gene was used for transcriptional repression in C. acetobutylicum. Subsequently, we targeted the carbon catabolite repression (CCR) system of C. acetobutylicum through transcriptional repression of the hprK gene encoding HPr kinase/phosphorylase, leading to the coutilization of glucose and xylose, which are two abundant carbon sources from lignocellulosic feedstocks. Similar approaches based on SpCRISPR-Cas9 for genome editing and transcriptional repression were also demonstrated in Clostridium pasteurianum ATCC 6013. As such, this work lays a foundation for the derivation of clostridial strains for industrial purposes. IMPORTANCE After recognizing the industrial potential of Clostridium for decades, methods for the genetic manipulation of these anaerobic bacteria are still underdeveloped. This study reports the implementation of CRISPR-Cas technology for genome editing and transcriptional regulation in Clostridium acetobutylicum, which is arguably the most common industrial clostridial strain. The developed genetic tools enable simpler, more reliable, and more extensive derivation of C. acetobutylicum mutant strains for industrial purposes. Similar approaches were also demonstrated in Clostridium pasteurianum, another clostridial strain that is capable of utilizing glycerol as the carbon source for butanol fermentation, and therefore can be arguably applied in other clostridial strains.

Pole mounted winch

Abstract: A portable winch includes a base plate which is adapted to be quickly and easily coupled with and uncoupled from a bracket attached to a utility pole. The base plate hangs on the bracket and requires no tools or clamps to maintain the connection. The base plate and bracket have cooperating portions which stabilize the base plate in its operating position and prevent rocking, swinging or swaying. The winch can be supported so that the winch cable drops either on the outside or inside of the drum, thus to change the spacing of the cable from the pole. The control means for operating the winch can be carried on the basket of an aerial boom by a bracket which hangs on the lip of the basket. The bracket includes a support tongue on which the winch can be hung during its travel to and from the pole. Alternately, the winch can be powered by a hand drill detachably coupled with the winch drive and held by a worker in the basket.