Search

Abstract Utilization of coal fly ash (CFA) has attracted extensive attentions in the last decades because of the increasing awareness of environmental protection and waste recovery. In the present paper, a new treatment process for utilization of CFA by extracting alumina and preparing Fe-Si alloys was proposed. The main procedures of the process contain carbothermic reduction and magnetic separation. Both of the thermodynamic analysis and experimental results show that an addition of Fe 2 O 3 can significantly cut down the reduction temperature and strongly enhance the decomposition of stable mullite phase (Al 6 Si 2 O 13) in CFA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) demonstrated that spherical Fe-Si alloys were formed adjacent to the alumina (obtained from the decomposition of mullite) during the carbothermic reduction. The alumina and Fe-Si alloys in the reduced sample can be effectively separated by the subsequent magnetic separation, and the mass fraction of alumina in the non-magnetic part reached 91.33%. Compared with the conventional sinter process and acid leaching process, carbothermic reduction method with addition of Fe 2 O 3 for extracting aluminum makes fewer residues, which may provide a new idea for large-scale utilization of CFA. Highlights • A new process for extracting alumina and preparing Fe-Si alloy from CFA is proposed. • An addition of Fe 2 O 3 can significantly cut down the reduction temperature of CFA. • The addition of Fe 2 O 3 can also enhance the decomposition of mullite in CFA. • Silicon in quartz and mullite was transformed into the byproduct Fe-Si alloys. • Fe-Si alloys and alumina can be effectively separated by magnetic separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sewage sludge biodrying is a treatment that uses bio-heat generated from organic degradation to remove water from sewage sludge. Dewatering is still limited during biodrying, due to the presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in sludge. To study the biodrying mechanism associated with EPS compositions tryptophan and tyrosine degradations, this study investigated the microbial function in sludge biodrying material. This study conducted a taxonomic analysis of biodrying material; determined the most abundant genetic functions; analyzed the functional microorganisms involved in the degradations of tryptophan and tyrosine; and summarized the metabolic pathways. The results indicated efficient degradations of tryptophan and tyrosine were observed during the initial thermophilic phase; functional microorganisms were mainly from the phyla Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria, enriched with genes involved in amino acid transport and metabolism. These findings highlight the potentially important microorganisms and typical pathways that may help improve dewaterability during biodegradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite structures of ocean temperature and salinity anomalies caused by tropical cyclones (TCs) or typhoons in the western North Pacific Ocean were obtained from Argo data. These structures were used to analyze ocean responses to typhoons and the dynamic mechanisms inherent in those responses with a particular focus on upwelling. TC-induced cooling is often strongly rightward-biased in the surface layer, and shifts toward the typhoon track at depths exceeding roughly 100 m. In the central water column within approximately 75 km of the typhoon track, subsurface warming predicted by vertical mixing is restrained and replaced by cooling due to upwelling. Upwelling contributes 15% on average to temperature cooling in the near surface layer (10–30 m), 84% in the subsurface layer (30–250 m) and 94% in the deep layer (250–600 m) during the period of 0.5–2.5 days after the typhoon's passage. It is suggested that the sea surface cooling effect of vertical mixing can be enhanced by the upwelling. The effect of upwelling is also prominent in the salinity response to typhoons. The composite results from the Argo data clearly reveal basic ocean responses to typhoons and indicate the important role of upwelling therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-resolution numerical model based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) was used to simulate the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) and revealed an extreme warm event of the YSCWM in the summer of 2007. This event was also captured by in situ observations. In August 2007, the average temperature of the YSCWM was above 1 °C higher than its climatological mean. The unusually-high temperature anomaly of the YSCWM could trace back to the winter 2006–07. Heat budget of the Yellow Sea deep water (YSDW) below 50 m depth, indicated that vertical mixing, rather than advection, in the winter 2006–07 played a crucial role in the generation of the warm event. With the seasonal thermocline disappearing in the winter 2006–07, a weak vertical mixing effect due to weak wind speeds and high heat content in the Yellow Sea upper water (YSUW) above the YSDW, together with strong advection effect, caused the YSDW to become quite warmer than its climatological mean. After that, the seasonal thermocline above the YSDW formed again and the warm YSDW persisted until the summer of 2007, resulting in the extreme warm event of the YSCWM. • An extreme warm event of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) happened in the summer of 2007. • Vertical mixing, rather than advection, in the winter of 2006 played a crucial role in the generation of the warm event. • Weak vertical mixing effect, together with strong advection effect, made the YSCWM quite warmer than its climate state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid advances in computing power have driven the development of smaller and lighter technology products, with novel input devices constantly being produced in response to new user behaviors and usage contexts. The aim of this research was to investigate the feasibility of operating chorded keyboard control modules in concert with pointing devices such as styluses and mice. We compared combinations of two novel chorded keyboards with different pointing devices in hopes of finding a better combination for future electronic products. Twelve participants were recruited for simulation testing, and paired sample t testing was conducted to determine whether input and error rates for the novel keyboards were improved significantly over those of traditional input methods. The most efficient input device combination tested was the combination of a novel cross-shaped key keyboard and a stylus, suggesting the high potential for use of this combination with future mobile IT products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volume transport through the Taiwan Strait during 2005–2008 was simulated using a shallow water model forced by high spatio-temporal resolution meteorological data. On average, simulated monthly mean transports ranged from a southward maximum of 0.38 Sv in December to a northward maximum of 2.02 Sv in June, with an annual mean northward transport of 0.78 Sv. These estimates are in agreement with the published results based on bottom-mounted ADCP observations. Several sensitivity experiments were conducted to separately examine possible influence of ignoring air pressure or applying time-averaged wind forcing on the transport estimate. We found that excluding the air pressure component in the model gave rise to an insignificant difference (0.01 Sv) in the mean transport estimate. Using multi-year-averaged monthly mean wind, however, provided markedly different results; it brought about a magnitude change of up to 0.65 Sv for the monthly mean transport and 0.34 Sv for the annual mean transport. The nonlinear parameterization of wind stress was mainly responsible for the distortion. In addition, we found that typhoons, as one kind of synoptic events, had an accumulative influence not only on the monthly mean transport during the typhoon season but also on the annual mean transport. The effect of typhoons reduced the monthly mean transport by up to 0.45 Sv and the annual mean transport by 0.09 Sv (more than 10%). Therefore, high temporal resolution wind data with synoptic scale variability are required to accurately estimate the monthly mean and annual mean transports when using a model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We solve the Schrödinger equation with the improved Rosen-Morse potential energy model in D spatial dimensions. The D-dimensional rotation-vibrational energy spectra have been obtained by using the supersymmetric shape invariance approach. The energies for the 3³∑g+ state of the Cs2 molecule and the 5¹Δg state of the Na2 molecule increase as D increases in the presence of fixed vibrational quantum number and various rotational quantum numbers. We observe that the change in behavior of the vibrational energies in higher dimensions remains similar to that of the three-dimensional system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Volume transport in the Taiwan Strait is usually northward for most of the year and varies seasonally because of the adjustment of the East Asian monsoon. Based on model simulations, the influence on this northward transport of every typhoon formed during the period 2005–2009 was examined. The results showed that there were four typhoons which enhanced northward transport during these five years. The current measurements, obtained from a buoy deployed in the Taiwan Strait, matched these events exactly. These typhoons had special moving tracks and life histories. They traveled westward in the area south of the strait or moved northward from the south to the north. Under the influence of such a typhoon, the prophase southward atmospheric forcing in the strait was weak and the anaphase northward atmospheric forcing (mainly along-strait wind stress) was strong, which is necessary and crucial in enhancing the northward transport. The ageostrophic process, another important driving factor in transport change, was generated mainly by local atmospheric forces inside the strait under the typhoon weather conditions and its effect on transport magnitude was comparable to that of direct atmospheric forcing. It first stored some energy from the atmospheric forcing to restrain the transport change, and then released the stored energy to prolong and even to intensify the enhanced northward transport. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The structural properties and mechanical stabilities of B2-IrTi have been investigated using first-principle calculations. The elastic constants calculations indicate that the B2-IrTi is unstable to external strain and the softening of C 11−C 12 triggers the B2-IrTi (cubic) to L10-IrTi (tetragonal) phase transformation. Detailed electronic structure analysis revealed a Jahn–Teller-type band split that could be responsible for elastic softening and structure phase transition. The cubic–tetragonal transition is accompanied by a reduction in the density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level and the d-DOS of Ti at Fermi level plays a decisive role in destabilizing the B2-IrTi phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ab initio phonon calculations were performed to probe the martensitic transformation of IrTi. The details of the orthorhombic structure were obtained by the soft-phonon approach. We demonstrate that the tetragonal orthorhombic (Cmmm) transition is driven by the softening of a phonon at the point (0 ) of the Brillouin zone. The energy landscapes between the various phases of IrTi show that the structural behaviors of IrTi alloy are from cubic to tetragonal, then to orthorhombic and thus the original thought of cubic to monoclinic transition is modified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, sea urchins Anthocidaris crassispina, Diadema setosum and Salmacis sphaeroides inhabiting the coastal area of Hong Kong were collected and their gonadal biochemical compositions determined and compared for the first time. The proximate nutritional composition of all species exhibited an order of lipid>protein>carbohydrate. Neutral lipid was the major lipid constituent, accounting for over 80% of the total lipid. The major fatty acids in neutral lipid fraction of the three urchins were C14:0, C16:0, C16:1 (n-7), C18:1 (n-7) and C20:5 (n-3), whereas those in the polar lipid fraction were C16:0, C16:4 (n-4), C20:4 (n-6) and C20:5 (n-3). The dominant carotenoid was echinenone, which accounted for 81.7%, 56.7% and 68.5% of the total carotenoids in A. crassispina, D. setosum and S. sphaeroides, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mitochondrial copper metabolism and delivery to cytochrome c oxidase and mitochondrially localized CuZn-superoxide dismutase (Sod1) requires a growing number of intermembrane space proteins containing a twin Cx9C motif. Among them, Cmc1 was recently identified by our group. Here we describe another conserved mitochondrial metallochaperone-like protein, Cmc2, a close homologue of Cmc1, whose function affects both cytochrome c oxidase and Sod1. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Cmc2 localizes to the mitochondrial inner membrane facing the intermembrane space. In the absence of Cmc2, cytochrome c oxidase activity measured spectrophoto-metrically and cellular respiration measured polarographically are undetectable. Additionally, mutant cmc2 cells display 2-fold increased mitochondrial Sod1 activity, whereas CMC2 overexpression results in Sod1 activity decreased to 60% of wild-type levels. CMC1 overexpression does not rescue the respiratory defect of cmc2 mutants or vice versa. However, Cmc2 physically interacts with Cmc1 and the absence of Cmc2 induces a 5-fold increase in Cmc1 accumulation in the mitochondrial membranes. Cmc2 function is conserved from yeast to humans. Human CMC2 localizes to the mitochondria and CMC2 expression knockdown produces cytochrome c oxidase deficiency in Caenorhabditis elegans. We conclude that Cmc1 and Cmc2 have cooperative but nonoverlapping functions in cytochrome c oxidase biogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A two-way nested coupled tide-surge prediction model was established and applied in the Taiwan Strait and adjacent sea area in this study. This two-dimensional (2D) model had a fine horizontal resolution and took into account the interaction between storm surges and astronomical tides, which made it suitable for depicting the complicated physical properties of storm surges in the Taiwan Strait. A two-way nesting technique and an open boundary condition developed from Flather''s radiation condition and Røed and Smedstad''s local mode idea, were successfully implemented in the model. A simulation experiment showed that the open boundary condition could be used in the coupled tide-surge model and that the performance of the two-way nested model was slightly superior in accuracy to that of the one-way nested one. The fluctuations of storm surge residuals with tidal period at Sansha and Pingtan tide stations during the period of typhoon Dan in 1999 were well reproduced by the model, with the coupling effect between storm surges and tides indicating that the effect of astronomical tides upon typhoon surges should be considered in a storm-surge prediction model for the Taiwan Strait. The forecast experiment during typhoon Talim in 2005 showed that the storm surge prediction outputs by the model were better in the early 20h of the forecast period of each model run than those in the later period due to the prediction accuracy of the typhoon track, maximum winds, and central air pressures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A improved pH-control fed-batch strategy for Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. darmstadiensis 032 producing thuringiensin was developed based on the analysis of the batch culture, constant rate fed-batch cultures and the original pH-control fed-batch. Having considered the pH variation and the glucose consumption status, the pH was adjusted from 6.5 to 7.0 by adding base in the late cultivation period of batch culture, and then the pH was kept at 7.0 by glucose feeding. The feeding was terminated when the pH could not be controlled by glucose feeding anymore. The proposed fed-batch strategy effectively avoided underfeeding or overfeeding, and it increased the thuringiensin yield and Y P/X by 89.51% and 103.2% compared to that of the batch culture, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The dystrophin glycoprotein complex has been proposed to be involved in signal transduction. Here we have shown that laminin binding causes syntrophin to recruit Rac1 from the rabbit skeletal muscle. Laminin Sepharose and syntrophin-Sepharose bind a protein complex containing Rac1 from the muscle membranes. The presence of heparin, which inhibits laminin interactions, prevents recruitment of Rac1. The dystrophin glycoprotein complex recruits Rac1 via syntrophin through a Grb2·Sos1 complex. A syntrophin antibody also prevents recruitment of Rac1, suggesting that the signaling complex requires syntrophin. PAK1 is in turn bound by Rac1. c-Jun NH[sub 2]-terminal kinase-p46 is phosphorylated and activated only when laminin is present, and the p54 isoform is activated when laminin is depleted or binding is inhibited with heparin. In the presence of laminin, c-Jun is activated in both skeletal muscle microsomes and in C2C12 myoblasts, and proliferation increases in C2C12 myoblasts. We postulate that this pathway signals muscle homeostasis and hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shear behavior of sand-steel interface plays an important role in the performance of steel pipe piles that support marine structures. In this study, the effects of surface roughness (from rough surface to smooth surface) and mean particle size on mobilized sand-steel interface friction were investigated by direct shear tests. Three types of calcareous sand with different particle sizes and three steel plates with different surface roughness were employed in the experimental program. Results indicate that the surface roughness of steel plate has a significant effect on the shear behavior between calcareous sand and steel. The peak shear strength increases with the surface roughness, and the interface friction angle reaches 90% of the internal friction angle of calcareous sand with various particle size. Moreover, the interface friction angle of calcareous sand is higher than that of siliceous sand, which is due to the effect of soil densification and particle breakage during the specimen preparation of calcareous sand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSHs) are commonly found in food packaging printing inks. They can migrate into packaged food, posing risks to human health. In this study, a bio-based coating using sugarcane fibre (SF), anionic starch (AS), nanofibrated cellulose (NFC), and chitosan (CTS) is developed and applied to the internal surface of a food packaging white cardboard. The coating is investigated for its efficiency in reducing MOSH migration into dry food simulants (Porapak). The MOSH adsorption capacity of coated white cardboard is 4.6 and 14 times greater than those of uncoated and polythene (PE)-coated versions, respectively. Hence, the surface of SF-AS-NFC-CTS coating functions as a sponge and protective screen, adsorbing and hindering significant amounts of MOSH and subsequently slowing and reducing the migration of MOSH to food. Meanwhile, the basic properties, such as mechanical properties, air permeability (barrier property to MOSH), oil resistance, thermal stability, and antibacterial efficacy, of the coated cardboard for food packaging are all improved. Therefore, this study can offer a promising solution to food contamination concerns for food packaging. • SF-AS-NFC-CTS coating improves the gas barrier properties of white cardboard. • SF-AS-NFC-CTS coating enhances the antibacterial performance of the cardboard. • SF-AS-NFC-CTS exhibits excellent adsorption and slow discharge effect on MOSH. • SF-AS-NFC-CTS coating improved gas–oil barrier characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O-linked N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) glycosylation, a prevalent protein post-translational modification (PTM) that occurs intracellularly, has been shown to crosstalk with phosphorylation and ubiquitination. However, it is unclear whether it interplays with other PTMs. Here we studied its relationship with ADP-ribosylation, which involves decorating target proteins with the ADP-ribose moiety. We discovered that the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation “eraser”, ADP-ribose glycohydrolase (PARG), is O-GlcNAcylated at Ser26, which is in close proximity to its nuclear localization signal. O-GlcNAcylation of PARG promotes nuclear localization and chromatin association. Upon DNA damage, O-GlcNAcylation augments the recruitment of PARG to DNA damage sites and interacting with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, PARG O-GlcNAcylation enhances the poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation of DNA damage-binding protein 1 (DDB1) and attenuates its auto-ubiquitination, thereby stabilizing DDB1 and allowing it to degrade its downstream targets, such as c-Myc. We further demonstrated that PARG-S26A, the O-GlcNAc-deficient mutant, promoted HCC in mouse xenograft models. Our findings thus reveal that PARG O-GlcNAcylation inhibits HCC, and we propose that O-GlcNAc glycosylation may crosstalk with many other PTMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Taiwan Strait is the only direct passage between the South China Sea (SCS) and the East China Sea. Variations in the intensity of Kuroshio Branch and surface currents in the SCS result in seasonal and inter-annual variability in the hydrography of the SE Taiwan Strait, where the northwardly pointing funnel-like Penghu Channel is located. These currents vary with the intensity and direction of monsoons. The teleconnection between air-sea interaction of the east Pacific and west Pacific reportedly has time differences. The data in this study reveal that the salinity of the seawater in the Penghu Channel is highest during El Niño events with a seven-month lag to the monthly Niño 3.4 index, and lowest during La Niña periods, also with a lag of seven months to the monthly Niño 3.4 index. The chemical parameters also vary with these events. The concentrations of apparent oxygen utilization, nutrients, and hydrogen ions vary with the mixing ratio of SCS water and Kuroshio Branch water. The maximum concentrations of nutrients are significantly higher during the summer, seven months after a La Niña event (La Niña-7), than in other seasons. However, biological activities also affected these chemical parameters. In spring, active photosynthesis consumes more nutrients and hydrogen ion concentrations in La Niña-7 periods than in normal-7 periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA condensation induced by a pair of heptameric La(III) helical enantiomers M-[La7(S-L)6(CO3)(NO3)6(OCH3)(CH3OH)7] · 2CH3OH · 5H2O and P-[La7(R-L)6(CO3)(NO3)6(OCH3)(CH3OH)5(H2O)2] · 2CH3OH · 4H2O (M-La and P-La, L = 2-(2-hydroxybenzylamino)-3-carbamoylpropanoic acid) has been investigated by UV/vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy, EMSA, RALS, DLS, and SEM. The enantiomers M-La and P-La could induce CT-DNA condensation at a low concentration as observed in UV/vis spectroscopy. DNA condensates possessed globular nanoparticles with nearly homogeneous sizes in solid state determined by SEM (ca. 250 nm for M-La and ca. 200 nm for P-La). The enantiomers bound to DNA through electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bond interactions in a major groove, and rapidly condensed free DNA into its compact state. DNA decompaction has been acquired by using EDTA as disassembly agent, and analyzed by UV/vis spectroscopy, CD spectroscopy and EMSA. Moreover, the enantiomers M-La and P-La displayed discernible discrimination in DNA interaction and DNA condensation, as well as DNA decondensation. Our study suggested that lanthanum(III) enantiomers M-La and P-La were efficient DNA packaging agents with potential applications in gene delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study provides new insights into the P–T – t history of deeply-subducted continental crust with the utilization of zircon petrochronology. • Identification of omphacite, phengite and garnet inclusions in zircons indicate that the felsic crust probably has transformed during the eclogite-facies metamorphism. • P–T – t path of the orthogneisses demonstrates two-stages of exhumation for the UHP terrane. The early-stage faster exhumation is likely related to melt activity. Reconstruction of pressure–temperature–time (P – T – t) path of volumetrically-dominant orthogneisses in deeply subducted continental crusts is challenging due to their simple amphibolite-facies mineral assemblages. To provide new insights into this issue, a detailed study of mineral inclusions, trace elements and U-Pb ages within robust zircon containers, together with titanite U-Pb dating and petrology were conducted on ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) orthogneisses from the northern Sulu belt. The following P–T–t conditions of three metamorphic stages were constrained: (i) cathodoluminescence (CL)-grey zircon cores (ca. 238–237 Ma) with flat heavy rare earth element (HREE) patterns include garnet, phengite and omphacite that yield estimated P–T conditions of 2.3–2.8 GPa/730–800 °C, corresponding to prograde high-pressure (HP) metamorphism before the UHP peak. (ii) CL-dark zircon mantles (ca. 224 Ma) contain multiphase solid inclusions of plagioclase + K-feldspar + quartz and show extremely low Th/U ratios (≤0.08) and negative Eu anomalies, demonstrating their crystallization from hydrous melt at 2.0–1.8 GPa/890–820 °C during HP eclogite-facies exhumation. In addition, titanite grains are characterized by high LREE contents (1939–5239 ppm), Th/U ratios (0.37–0.81) and crystallization temperatures (830–801 °C), suggesting their peritectic origin. The lower intercept age (220 ± 4 Ma) of titanite is broadly consistent with the ages of the zircon mantles, indicating that they both crystallized from the melt at the same stage. (iii) CL-bright zircon rims (ca. 212–211 Ma) preserve low-pressure mineral inclusions of plagioclase, K-feldspar and quartz, and they show low Th/U ratios (0.03–0.12) and steep HREE patterns with negative Eu anomalies, witnessing amphibolite-facies overprinting at 1.0–0.8 GPa/610–550 °C. Combined with the metamorphic peak conditions of 3.2 GPa/840 °C at ca. 232 Ma constrained by previous studies from the same area, the P – T – t path of the northern Sulu UHP belt is reconstructed. The data reflects two-stage exhumation of this terrane, including an early-stage (5.8 km/m.y.) and a later-stage slower (3.1 km/m.y.) exhumation processes. The faster exhumation during early decompression was probably enhanced by extensive melting activity recorded by the CL-dark zircon mantles from the orthogneisses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemically bonded aluminum phosphate coating modified with Al 2 O 3 -MWCNTs was prepared for anti-corrosion in high-temperature marine environment. α- Al 2 O 3 was successfully and conveniently coupled to the multi-walled carbon nanotubes by surface modification. Then the hybrid materials mixed with coating materials were applied on heat-resistant steel using high-pressure airless spraying. The success of the hybridization was verified by characterizing the composition structure and morphology of Al 2 O 3 -MWCNTs. Simultaneously, adhesion, electrochemical, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiments were conducted to characterize the protective performance of the coating under different ablation times. One noteworthy phenomenon showed by the thermogravimetric analysis results is that the initial decomposition temperature of Al 2 O 3 -MWCNTs was increased by 100 °C compared with pure MWCNTs, which provided a basis for the application of the ceramic coatings in oxidation-resistant environment at 600 °C. The results of adhesion experiments showed that the dry bonding force of the ceramic coating with Al 2 O 3 -MWCNTs added on the substrate /coating interface was 3 times higher than that of the pure coating. The coating had the best surface quality following ablation at 600 °C thanks to Al 2 O 3 -MWCNTs, which gave it a denser mosaic structure on the outside and a three-dimensional mesh structure on the interior. This structure provided outstanding shielding properties and additional electron channels. Additionally, the R ct value was 34.7 kΩ.cm2 after 100 h of high temperature ablation, which was 345 times of that without added coating. In general, the results showed that the corrosion resistance of the coating with Al 2 O 3 -MWCNTs as the reinforcing phase was still maintained at a high level. • Al 2 O 3 -MWCNTs nano-reinforcement with good dispersibility was prepared. • Inorganic aluminum phosphate coating with excellent thermal stability was prepared. • The principle to improve the corrosion resistance of inorganic coating by Al 2 O 3 -MWCNTs was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lacustrine shales (e.g. shales deposited in the lake) are important commercial production targets for the oil and gas industrial. The pore network of shales has a significant effect on the occurrence state of natural gas&oil and reserve calculation. The exploration practice has indicated that the pore network of lacustrine shale is very different from that of marine shale. Although many researches have proposed that the pore network of lacustrine shales is influenced by clay minerals, however, the origin, evolution and preservation of pores in the lacustrine shales are still obscure. This study aims to reveal the effect of synchronous hydrocarbon generation and smectite-illite conversion on the formation and evolution of pores in lacustrine shales from the Chang #7 (C7) Member of the Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in Ordos Basin, China. The middle and lower part of C7 Member is known as the "Zhangjiatan" shale, which is focused by oil shale exploration recently in China. The combination of analytical techniques was used to investigate the pore evolution related to clay minerals. The clay minerals within shales from the C7 Member consist of illite-smectite mixed layer minerals, illite, kaolinite and chlorite, accounting for 25.9–59.1% of the whole rock. There is a positive relationship between density functional theory (DFT) pore volumes and the content of clay minerals. DFT method is appropriate for all types of the pore, especially micropores. The mesopores (2–50 nm) dominated in the shale samples, while the organic matter only hosted a small amount of micropores (<2 nm). In the study, it's shown that the development of mesopores is controlled by the smectite-illite conversion. The mesopores volume and surface areas will decrease with the smectite layers converting into illite. However, the marcopores (>50 nm) can increase with the formation of illite layers, caused by the minerals volume shrinks and overpressure. The smectite-to-illite conversion is favorable for the pore network under the moderate thermal maturity. The synchronous smectite-to-illite conversion and hydrocarbon generation is a critical mechanism for the formation and preservation of pores in the lacustrine shale. • The amount of marcopores increase with illitization. • The mesopores and surface areas will decrease with the smectite-to-illite conversion. • Smectite-to-illite conversion and hydrocarbon generation induce the pores evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global change is increasingly recognized as a possible regulator of metal(loid) biogeochemistry, but it is not well known whether and to what extent multiple environmental change factors alter the metal(loid) levels in surface soils. Here, we analyzed the total concentrations of surface soil metal(loid)s (Ca, Mn, Cr, V, Pb, Ni, Cu, Co, As, and Cd) with 3 years of simulated warming, increased precipitation, nitrogen addition, and elevated CO 2 , and with 9 years of simulated warming and increased precipitation, both in the Inner Mongolia steppe (northern China). Three relatively mobile fractions of the metal(loids), i.e., exchangeable, carbonate, and organic-bound fractions, were also quantified. Results showed that multiple environmental change factors had antagonistic interactions on only a few number of total or fractional metal(loid) concentrations. The antagonistic interactions between nitrogen addition and elevated CO 2 on some metal(loid) concentrations suggest that the significant simple effects of N addition without elevated CO 2 treatment reported here or previously may not happen with a future, higher CO 2 level. The main effects of all 3- or 9-years of treatments on total or fractional metal(loid) concentrations in surface soils were all no more than 25%. These findings indicate that global environmental change has a relatively weak impact on surface soil metal(loid) pools and the associated ecological risks in the Inner Mongolia steppe at a near-decadal scale. Unlabelled Image • Metal(loid) levels were measured in steppe soils with simulated global change. • Main effects of treatments on soil metal(loid) levels were no more than 25%. • Elevated CO 2 and N addition had antagonistic interactions on some metal levels. • Global environmental change had weak impact on the metal(loid) pools in steppe soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By statistically analyzing the masses of twelve double neutron star (DNS) systems, it is concluded that the weighted mean value of DNS masses is (1.339±0.042) M ⊙ , where the weighted mean masses of the primary and companion stars are respectively (1.439±0.036) M ⊙ and (1.239±0.020) M ⊙ . The mean value of the masses of primary stars is higher than that of companion stars, which indicates that the primary star may increase its mass by accretion, or the mass of its progenitor star is higher. Therefore, the physical process of supernova explosion through which the high-mass stars become NSs can be investigated hereby. Also it is found that the total masses of the DNSs span a narrow range of 2.5∼2.8 M ⊙ , implying that the companion stars might impact on the mass formation of DNSs. Moreover, the mass ratios of the DNSs (primaries to companions) approximate 1 (slightly larger than 1), indicating that the masses of the progenitors of primary stars are approximately equal to the masses of the progenitors of companion stars. By analyzing the distribution of the 12 DNSs in the surface magnetic field strength versus spin period ( B-P s ) diagram, it is found that the surface magnetic field strength in the primary stars of the DNSs is ∼ 10 10 Gs, and the spin period is ∼ 50 ms; while the two pulsars, i.e. PSR J1906+0746 and PSR J0737-3039B, are located in the region of normal pulsars in the B-P s diagram, their surface magnetic field strength is ∼ 10 12 Gs, suggesting that they might not be accelerated through accretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in hydrologic optics provide a potential tool for extracting maps of optical properties of optically significant constituents. During summer experiments in the northern South China Sea, a procedure for inverting optical properties in optically complex coastal upwelling waters was performed. We tested an optical inversion model (OIM) that provides estimates of the absorption attributable to optically significant constituents (including phytoplankton, non-algal particles (NAP), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM)), as well as the chlorophyll a concentration and the phytoplankton size class, from the total spectral absorption. The OIM provided reasonable estimates of these bio-optical products, and attempts to invert the bio-optical properties in the coastal upwelling were successful. Several bio-optical parameters displayed robust relationships to the hydrologic characteristics. The biomass was strongly enhanced in the upwelling, where the phytoplankton population was dominated by the microphytoplankton. The inherent optical properties in the surface waters delivered distinct responses to the coastal upwelling. The distribution of backscattering ratios and particulate size distribution slopes indicated that the offshore surface waters were mainly dominated by small organic NAP, while the upwelling surface water was characterized by larger particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] LvDorsal and LvRelish expressions are significantly activated by WSSV challenge. [•] WSSV replication partially rely on the activations of LvDorsal and LvRelish in vivo. [•] The promoters of WSV069 and WSV303 are activated by LvDorsal and LvRelish. [•] WSV303 of WSSV plays an important role in WSSV replication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shortened exposure of oocytes to spermatozoa has been reported to improve embryo quality. This technique requires extra manipulation of gametes in order to remove oocytes from the spermatozoa. This study presents a fertilization method that does not require additional manipulation and interference of oocytes during fertilization. To determine the benefits of this method, a prospective controlled study using sibling oocytes was conducted. The oocytes of patients were randomly allocated to study and control groups. Fertilization rates, embryo cleavage rates, day-3 embryo morphology and dinical pregnancy rates were compared between the two groups. The normal fertilization rates (2PN) of the two groups were comparable. The percentage of usable embryos (transferred plus cryopreserved embryos) was significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (66.9 ± 23.3% versus 57.6 ± 26.7%; P = 0.03). The mean embryo quality score of the treatment group was higher than the control group (18.3 ±4.8 versus 15.2 ± 5.1; P = 0.02). The results of this study demonstrated that this method can improve embryo quality, but further studies with additional IVF patients are needed to confirm the beneficial effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Geometric structures and atomic positions were studied with plane wave pseudo-potential method based on density functional theory for cubic, tetragonal, and monoclinic phases of TiRh alloy. Their phonon dispersion curves were obtained with frozen phonon method at harmonic approximation using density-functional perturbation theory. Our calculations revealed that both B2 and phases are thermodynamically unstable. Jahn–Teller effect triggers the occurrence of Bain transformation from cubic to tetragonal phase, and then soft-mode phonon further leads to the transition from tetragonal to monoclinic phase on cooling. The monoclinic phase was predicted to be P2/m space group through atomic vibrational movement along [001] direction of virtual frequency modes of phase. The temperature from B2 to and then to P2/m were predicted to be about T=1100.53K and T=324.48K through free energy calculations with the electronic plus vibrational energy of formation, respectively, which is in good agreement with experimental observations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been shown to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. However, the mechanisms of HDAC inhibitor induced apoptosis are incompletely understood. In this study, depsipeptide, a novel HDAC inhibitor, was shown to be able to induce significant apoptotic cell death in human lung cancer cells. Further study showed that Bim, a BH3-only proapoptotic protein, was significantly upregulated by depsipeptide in cancer cells, and Bim's function in depsipeptide-induced apoptosis was confirmed by knockdown of Bim with RNAi. In addition, we found that depsipeptide-induced expression of Bim was directly dependent on acetylation of forkhead box class O1 (FoxO1) that is catalyzed by cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element-binding protein-binding protein, and indirectly induced by a decreased four-and-a-half LIM-domain protein 2. Moreover, our results demonstrated that FoxO1 acetylation is required for the depsipeptide-induced activation of Bim and apoptosis, using transfection with a plasmid containing FoxO1 mutated at lysine sites and a luciferase reporter assay. These data show for the first time that an HDAC inhibitor induces apoptosis through the FoxO1 acetylation-Bim pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most agents that damage DNA act through posttranslational modifications of p53 and activate its downstream targets. However, whether cellular responses to nucleoside analogue-induced DNA damage also operate through p53 posttranslational modification has not been reported. In this study, the relationship between p53 activation and its posttranslational modifications was investigated in the human cancer cell lines A549 and HCT116 in response to 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-aza-CdR) or cytarabine treatment. 5-Aza-CdR induces p53 posttranslational modifications through activation of an ATM- and Rad3-related (AIR) signaling pathway, and 5-aza-CdR-induced association of replication protein A with chromatin is required for the binding of AIR to chromatin. Upon treatment with 5-aza-CdR, AIR activation is clearly associated with p53 phosphorylation at Ser15, but not at Thr18, Ser20, or Ser37. This specific p53 phosphorylation at Ser15 in turn results in acetylation of p53 at Lys320 and Lys373/Lys382 through transcriptional cofactors p300/CBP-associated factor and p300, respectively. These p53 posttranslational modifications are directly responsible for 5-aza-CdR induced p21Waf1/Cip1 expression because the binding activity of acetylated p53 at Lys320/Lys373/Lys382 to the p21Waf1/Cip1 promoter, as well as p21Waf1/Cip1 expression itself are significantly increased after 5-aza-CdR treatment. It is of interest that p53 phosphorylation at Ser15 and acetylations at Lys320/ Lys373/Lys382 mutually interact in the 5-aza-CdR induced p21Waf1/Cip1 expression shown by transfection of artificially mutated p53 expression vectors including S15A, K320R, and K373R/K382R into p53-null H1299 cells. These data taken together show for the first time that 5-aza-CdR activates the ATR signaling pathway, which elicits a specific p53 phosphorylation-acetylation cascade to induce p21Waf1/Cip1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The bacterial community structures in two sewage treatment plants with different processes and performance were investigated by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) amplified 16S rRNA gene fragments with group-specific primers. Samples of raw sewage and treated effluents were amplified using the whole-cell PCR method, and the activated sludge samples were amplified using the extracted genomic DNA before the PCR products were loaded on the same DGGE gel for bacterial community analysis. Ammonia-oxidizing bacterial and actinomycetic community analysis were also carried out to investigate the relationship between specific population structures and system or sludge performance. The two plants demonstrated a similarity in bacterial community structures of raw sewage and activated sludge, but they had different effluent populations. Many dominant bacterial populations of raw sewage did not appear in the activated sludge samples, suggesting that the dominant bacterial populations in raw sewage might not play an important role during wastewater treatment. Although the two plants had different sludge properties in terms of settleability and foam forming ability, they demonstrated similar actinomycetic community structures. For activated sludge with bad settling performance, the treated water presented a similar DGGE pattern with that of activated sludge, indicating the nonselective washout of bacteria from the system. The plant with better ammonium removal efficiency showed higher ammonia-oxidizing bacteria species richness. Analysis of sequencing results showed that the major populations in raw sewage were uncultured bacterium, while in activated sludge the predominant populations were beta proteobacteria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A simple and sensitive electrochemical biosensor for acrylamide (AA) detection based on hemoglobin (Hb) entrapped in ionic liquid-carbon paste was constructed. The Hb-carbon ionic liquid paste electrode (Hb/CILPE) was studied and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical method. The surface passivation of the Hb/CILPE could be achieved by the addition of acrylamide molecule, which caused the lower current response value owing to the adduct formed by acrylamide and Hb as a result of the reaction between the α-NH2 group and the N-terminal valine of Hb. The experimental conditions such as pH value of supporting electrolyte, pulse increment and concentrated time of AA was examined. Under the optimum conditions, the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) responses of Hb/CILPE toward AA was evaluated in a good linear range from 1.0 × 10−11 to 1.0 × 10−5 M, with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10−12 M at S/N = 3. This biosensor can be successfully applied to the determination of AA in a real sample without complex pretreatment. Compared with other electrochemical methods for detecting AA, the prepared electrochemical biosensor exhibited advantages of simple preparation, easy surface renewal, better reproducibility and satisfactory stability. • A better electrochemical biosensor for acrylamide detection is constructed. • Hb maintain its biological activity in the carbon ionic liquid paste electrode. • This electrochemical biosensor owns more advantages than other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]