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Summary Genetic and clinical association studies have identified disrupted in schizophrenia 1 ( DISC1 ) as a candidate risk gene for major mental illness. DISC1 is interrupted by a balanced chr(1;11) translocation in a Scottish family in which the translocation predisposes to psychiatric disorders. We investigate the consequences of DISC1 interruption in human neural cells using TALENs or CRISPR-Cas9 to target the DISC1 locus. We show that disruption of DISC1 near the site of the translocation results in decreased DISC1 protein levels because of nonsense-mediated decay of long splice variants. This results in an increased level of canonical Wnt signaling in neural progenitor cells and altered expression of fate markers such as Foxg1 and Tbr2. These gene expression changes are rescued by antagonizing Wnt signaling in a critical developmental window, supporting the hypothesis that DISC1-dependent suppression of basal Wnt signaling influences the distribution of cell types generated during cortical development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conditional moment closure (CMC) method with tabulated chemistry is proposed to reduce the computational load for integration of stiff reaction steps in the conventional CMC methods. It is based on the assumption that temperature and all species except CO and CO 2 adjust fast enough so that they can be uniquely determined by the single reaction progress variable given as the sum of CO and CO 2 mass fractions. The CMC equations are solved for the conditional reaction progress variable, Q p v , whereas the other species mass fractions and the reaction rates including that for Q p v are retrieved from lookup tables. A steady homogeneous form of the conditional variance and covariance equations are solved to construct the second-order closure table to be consistent with Steady Laminar Flamelet Model (SLFM)-based first-order closure. Good agreement is shown between the results by integrated and tabulated chemistry in both the first-order and the second-order CMC for Sandia Flames D, E and F. The overall computational time is reduced to about 0.5% of that by the conventional CMC method involving integration of the detailed reaction mechanism for all species and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this report, we describe using ultraviolet (UV)-assisted capillary force lithography (CFL) to create a model substratum of anisotropic micro- and nanotopographic pattern arrays with variable local density for the analysis of cell–substratum interactions. A single cell adhesion substratum with the constant ridge width (1μm), and depth (400nm) and variable groove widths (1–9.1μm) allowed us to characterize the dependence of cellular responses, including cell shape, orientation, and migration, on the anisotropy and local density of the variable micro- and nanotopographic pattern. We found that fibroblasts adhering to the denser pattern areas aligned and elongated more strongly along the direction of ridges, vs. those on the sparser areas, exhibiting a biphasic dependence of the migration speed on the pattern density. In addition, cells responded to local variations in topography by altering morphology and migrating along the direction of grooves biased by the direction of pattern orientation (short term) and pattern density (long term), suggesting that single cells can sense the topography gradient. Molecular dynamic live cell imaging and immunocytochemical analysis of focal adhesions and actin cytoskeleton suggest that variable substratum topography can result in distinct types of cytoskeleton reorganization. We also demonstrate that fibroblasts cultured as monolayers on the same substratum retain most of the properties displayed by single cells. This result, in addition to demonstrating a more sophisticated method to study aspects of wound healing processes, strongly suggests that even in the presence of adhesive cell–cell interactions, the cues provided by the underlying substratum topography continue to exercise substantial influence on cell behavior. The described experimental platform might not only further our understanding of biomechanical regulation of cell–matrix interactions, but also contribute to bioengineering of devices with the optimally structured design of cell–material interface. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study reports the results of a detailed analysis of 203 samples of bioliquid used as a substitute for heavy fuel oil in oil-fired power plants. Bioliquid is a mixture of various vegetable oils, animal fats and its byproducts. The heating value of bioliquid is approximately the same as that of heavy fuel oil; however, bioliquid has significantly less N and S components and exhibits better combustion reactivity. For a commercial electricity generation, demonstration tests firing bioliquid in 75, 90, and 100 MW oil-fired boilers were conducted, and the results were compared with those obtained by firing heavy fuel oil. Further, the impacts of bioliquid fuel characteristics on combustion and boiler operation were also investigated. During the bioliquid firing, the heat absorption in the furnace decreased and the furnace exit gas temperature increased in comparison to the heavy fuel oil firing. No serious problems occurred in the boiler operation, and NOx and SOx emissions remarkably decreased. With minor modifications on the fuel transfer system and atomization devices, bioliquid could successfully replace heavy fuel oil in the existing oil-fired boilers. The limited values for 18 fuel properties of bioliquid are suggested by considering the stable boiler operation and environmental safety. • The characteristics of 203 bioliquid samples are analyzed compared to heavy fuel oil. • Kinematic viscosity and heating value of bioliquid are 8 and 89% of heavy fuel oil. • Bioliquids can be burned in heavy fuel oil fired boilers with minor modifications. • Emissions are reduced by 30% for NOx and 93% for SOx with lower fuel-N and –S. • Specifications are proposed for bioliquid fuel used in heavy fuel oil fired boilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the combustion characteristics between bioliquid and heavy fuel oil using a 0.7 MWth pilot furnace and a 75 MWe power generation boiler. The bioliquid flame in the pilot furnace was clearer and more transparent, but higher gas temperature in the burner zone, compared to the heavy fuel oil flame. It might be due to higher sooting tendency of the heavy fuel oil flame. Due to the lower N and S contents in bioliquid, NOx and SOx emissions were significantly reduced in the bioliquid combustion tests. For the bioliquid demonstration in a 75 MWe power generation boiler, bioliquid firing led to decrease in heat flux to the furnace wall, so the furnace exit gas temperature was increased, comparing to the heavy fuel oil firing. Subsequently, the heat absorption in the first pass of the boiler was increased and finally it led to the increase in reheater de-superheating water spray flow rate. Significant reductions in NOx and SOx emissions were achieved with bioliquid firing. The operation and measured data in the bioliquid demonstration tests showed the successful operation of the unit, and no operational or emissions limitations were identified. • The combustion characteristics of bioliquid were compared to those of heavy fuel oil. • The bioliquid flame was clearer and more transparent due to lower sooting tendency. • Significant reductions in NOx and SOx were achieved with bioliquid firing. • Bioliquid firing tests at 79 MWe showed no operational or emissions limitations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigated the combustion and emission characteristics of a reprocessed used lubricating oil (RULO) with a pilot combustion test furnace to assess the possibility for using it as a fuel for boiler cold start-up operation. Results were compared with those of a by-product fuel oil (BFO) presently used in the power plant. Fuel analysis and testing showed that both oils had similar fuel properties, but RULO represented less reactivity and larger sprayed particle diameter than BFO. The cold start-up combustion tests revealed that RULO was ignited later and furnace exit temperatures was higher in RULO combustion, compared to those in BFO combustion. NOx emission in RULO combustion was about 10 ppm higher due to the higher fuel-N, and particulate emissions, thought to be agglomerated unburned carbonaceous particles, were severer in RULO combustion test than BFO combustion test. The relative comparisons between two fuel oils would provide a basic information for substituting an existing fuel oil to a renewable fuel oil during the start-up operation of the coal-fired power plant. • Fuel characteristics of a reprocessed used lubricating oil (RULO) was investigated. • Combustion characteristics of RULO were compared to those of by-product fuel oil (BFO). • RULO exhibited a reasonable combustion performance, compared to BFO. • Particulate emissions were severe during the RULO cold combustion test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]