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Government subsidies generally play a crucial role in pricing and the choice of performance levels in Energy Performance Contracting (EPC). However, the existing studies pay little attention to how the Energy Service Company (ESCO) prices and chooses performance levels for EPC with government subsidies. To fill such a gap, we propose a joint optimal decision model of pricing and performance level in EPC considering government subsidies. The optimization of the model is achieved via a two-stage process. At the first stage, given a performance level, ESCOs choose the best price; and at the second stage, ESCOs choose the optimal performance level for the optimal price. Furthermore, we carry out a numerical analysis to illuminate such an optimal decision mechanism. The results show that both price sensitivity and performance level sensitivity have significant effects on the choice of performance levels with government subsidies. Government subsidies can induce higher performance levels of EPC, the demand for EPC, and the profit of ESCO. We suggest that ESCO’s market strategy should firstly focus on high energy consumption industries with government subsidies and that government subsidies standard adopted in different industries should be differentiated according to the market characteristics and energy efficiency levels of various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play important roles in the invasion and migration of cancer cells. In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo assays to examine the inhibitory effects of oroxylin A, one of the main bioactive flavonoid extracted from Scutellaria radix, on the human breast carcinoma cell MDA-MB-231 invasion and migration. We found that oroxylin A can suppress cell adhesion, invasion and migration in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, oroxylin A led to the reduction of the activity and expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in gelatin zymography, real-time PCR and western blotting analysis. Further elucidation of the mechanism revealed that oroxylin A increased the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), the endogenous inhibitor of MMP-2, and repressed the phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced translocation of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ), phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) and binding activity of the transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) which are upstream signaling molecules in MMP-9 expression. Our results also indicated that oroxylin A inhibited the lung metastasis of murine melanoma cell B16-F10 in vivo. Therefore, we proposed that oroxylin A might be developed as a therapeutic potential candidate for the treatment of cancer metastasis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: SAR studies of the substitution effect on the central phenyl ring of the biphenyl scaffold were carried out using anacetrapib (9a) as the benchmark. The results revealed that the new analogs with substitutions to replace trifluoromethyl (9a) had a significant impact on CETP inhibition in vitro. In fact, analogs with some small groups were as potent or more potent than the CF3 derivative for CETP inhibition. Five of these new analogs raised HDL-C significantly (>20mg/dL). None of them however was better than anacetrapib in vivo. The synthesis and biological evaluation of these CETP inhibitors are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new class of CETP inhibitors was designed and prepared. These compounds are potent both in vitro and in vivo. The most active compound (12d) has shown an ability to raise HDL significantly in transgenic mouse PD model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A series of HIV protease inhibitors with modifications on the P3 position have been designed and synthesized. These compounds exhibit excellent antiviral activity against both the wild type enzyme and PI-resistant clinical viral isolates. The synthesis and biological activity of the compounds are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efforts directed to identifying potent HIV protease inhibitors (PI) have yielded a class of compounds that are not only very active against wild-type (NL4-3) HIV virus but also very potent against a panel of PI-resistant viral isolates. Chemistry and biology are described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Molecular modeling has been used to assist in the development of a novel series of potent glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors based on a phenyl diacid lead, compound 1. In the absence of suitable competitive binding assays, compound 1 was predicted to bind at the AMP allosteric site based on superposition onto known inhibitors which bind at different sites in the enzyme and analyses of the surrounding protein environment associated with these distinct sites. Possible docking modes of compound 1 at the AMP allosteric site were further explored using the crystal structure of rabbit muscle glycogen phosphorylase complexed with a Bayer diacid compound W1807 (PDB entry 3AMV). Compound 1 was predicted to interact with positively charged arginines at the AMP allosteric site in the docking model. Characterization of the binding pocket by a grid-based surface calculation of the docking model revealed a large unfilled hydrophobic region near the central phenyl ring, suggesting that compounds with larger hydrophobic groups in this region would improve binding. A series of naphthyl diacid compounds were designed and synthesized to access this hydrophobic cleft, and showed significantly improved potency [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, which functions through activation of the Smad proteins. We found that GDF-8 can activate the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) through the TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and this appeared to be independent of Smad signaling. GDF-8-induced transcriptional activation was inhibited by expression of dominant negative MKK6 or treatment with the p38 inhibitor SB203580, while overexpression of wild-type forms of either MKK6 or p38 augmented GDF-8-induced transcriptional activity. In addition, ATF-2, a known transcription factor target of p38, was found to be phosphorylated on GDF-8 stimulation and was detected in a complex with Smad3/Smad4 upon GDF-8 treatment. Furthermore, we found that the p38 MAPK played an important role in GDF-8-induced inhibition of proliferation and upregulation of the cyclin kinase inhibitor p21. Together, these results highlight a functional link between the p38 MAPK and GDF-8-activated Smad pathways, and identify a critical role for the p38 MAPK in GDF-8''s function as a negative regulator of muscle growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new class of diacid analogues that binds at the AMP site not only are very potent but have ∼10-fold selectivity in liver versus muscle glycogen phosphorylase (GP) in the in vitro assay. The synthesis, structure, and in vitro and in vivo biological evaluation of these liver selective glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of highly potent HIV protease inhibitors have been designed and synthesized. These compounds are active against various clinical viral isolates as well as wild-type virus. The synthesis and biological activity of these HIV protease inhibitors are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new series of growth hormone secretagogues have been discovered. The best compound, 26j, shows excellent ability to release growth hormone both in vitro and in vivo. The synthesis and biological activity of these compounds are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: During an effort to search for more potent growth hormone secretagogues, we discovered a class of compounds of which the best compound 8 was 7-fold more active in vitro than the best compound in the series we revealed before [Tata, J. R.; Lu, Z.; Jacks, T. M.; Schleim, K. D.; Cheng, K.; Wei, L.; Chan, W.-S.; Butler, B.; Tsou, N.; Leung, K.; Chiu, S.-H. L.; Hickey, G. J.; Smith, R. G.; Patchett, A. A. Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. 1997, 7, 2319.]. Animal studies show that compound 8 can stimulate growth hormone release at the oral dose as low as 0.06mpk. Chemistry and biological studies are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) was used to consolidate Cu-based alloy powder (Cu–10Sn and Cu–8.4P) reinforced with Ni particles. Phases, microstructures, compositions, and mechanical properties of laser-sintered part were studied. It showed that particle bonding was through a liquid phase sintering mechanism involving the complete melting of matrix alloy powder and the non-melting of cores of Ni reinforcing particles. A significant smoothening of Ni particles occurred in the liquid and the dissolved Ni element alloyed with Cu element to form CuNi solid solution, leading to a coherent particle/matrix interface after solidification. The dendrites of matrix alloys developed directionally and the primary dendritic spacing was highly refined to ∼1.5μm, due to laser-induced super high temperature gradient and solidification rate. The additive P element acted as a localized deoxidizer to prevent the sintering system from oxidation by formation of CuPO3, thereby enhancing liquid–solid wettability and resultant sintering activity. A high densification level of 95.2% theoretical density was obtained after sintering. The fracture surface of laser-sintered part was mainly featured by a strong ductile type of fracture. The dynamic nanohardness of Ni reinforcing phase and Cu-based matrix alloys reached 1.82GPa and 0.99–1.35GPa, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Selective Laser Melting (SLM) Rapid Manufacturing (RM) of the high-energy ball milled Ti–Si3N4 composite powder with the mol ratio of 9:1 was performed in the present work. The microstructural characterizations revealed the formation of TiN reinforced Ti5Si3 matrix composites after laser processing via the in-situ synthesis reaction 9Ti+Si3N4 =4TiN+Ti5Si3. The in-situ presented TiN reinforcing phase possessed a refined granular morphology and a uniform distribution throughout the Ti5Si3 matrix, showing a clear and compatible interfacial structure with the matrix. The metallurgical mechanisms for the in-situ synthesis of TiN reinforced Ti5Si3 matrix composites by SLM were also proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A combined heating and power system driven by geothermal water is proposed. • Exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental performance of the system are analyzed. • Optimization for the combined heating and power system is conducted by genetic algorithm. This paper develops a geothermal driven combined heating and power system to obtain multi-generation, in which power is generated by Organic Rankine Cycle and heating is supplied by radiant floor heating system. Comprehensive thermodynamic, exergoeconomic and exergoenvironmental models of the system are performed and the capital cost and environmental impacts of the system components are analyzed. Superheat degree of the organic working fluid and inlet pressure of the Organic Rankine Cycle turbine are selected as variables to assess the system performance. Multi-objective optimization is employed to obtain the maximum system net power output, minimum levelized cost per exergy unit and minimum levelized environmental impact per exergy unit of the system. Results show that the increase of the working fluid superheat degree and the Organic Rankine Cycle turbine inlet pressure would cause the decrease of the Organic Rankine Cycle turbine power output and the increase of the heat supplying. Cooling water holds the highest levelized exergy cost and geothermal water heat exchanger has the highest environmental impact reducing potential. Under the condition of 11 °C superheat degree and 833 kPa Organic Rankine Cycle turbine inlet pressure, the system obtains a better performance with system net power output 1.19 MW, levelized cost per exergy unit 4.80 $/GJ and environmental impact per exergy unit 16.0 mpts/GJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glow discharge plasma (GP) was used to study the hydration mechanism of whey protein with different moisture content (10%, 20%, 30%). When the moisture content was 20%, the effect was most obvious. Strong hydration effect was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results with sharper, narrower and blue-shifted from 3283.49 cm−1 to 3286.26 cm−1, indicating the enhanced hydrogen bond. More flexible protein structure with a significant decrease in α-helix content (from 18.50% to 14.62%), β-sheet content (from 29.67% to 19.38%) and crystallinity degree (from 6.18% to 0.81%) was introduced. Whey protein underwent oxidation reactions of C C to C–O–C(H) and further to COOH, C–OH to C–O–C and sulfhydryl to disulfide bonds. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results showed that the treated whey protein was highly aggregated (from 55.40 μm to 226.87 μm) and formed porous and rough polymers. Additionally, the treated whey protein exhibited higher anti-oxidation activity, with DPPH, ABTS and OH free radicals increased by 14.55%, 11.08% and 15.56%. The water/oil holding capacity and light transmittance of whey protein was improved by 18.18%, 22.05% and 35.69%, respectively. [Display omitted] • Hydration effect confirmed by FTIR result at 3434.43 cm−1 and 3526.98 cm−1. • A flexible structure with decreased α-helix, β-sheet content and crystalline degree. • Whey protein underwent oxidation of C C to C–O–C to COOH, C–OH to C–O–C, SH to SS. • Whey protein were highly aggregated and etched, forming porous and rough granules. • It had better water/oil holding capacity, anti-oxidation and light transmittance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, corn starch (40 % moisture content) was placed in an ultra-high magnetic field(UMF)(5–20 T) to investigate the ordering and stabilization process under the magnetic field. With the increase of the intensity of UMF, C-OH and O-C-O were oxidized to O = C-OH and cross-linked to form ester bonds. When the UMF intensity was 15 T, the effect was the most significant with the ordered short-range structures formed; since the O = C-OR enhanced carbon skeleton structure, the crystallinity increased comparatively and amylose content reached the minimum value (15.32 ± 0.04 %). Additionally, UMF has a compressive effect on the void structure of A-type starch, and the average particle size decreased. RVA and DSC demonstrated that the UMF-treated starch had better thermal stability and shear resistance. This study suggested that UMF could serve as a prospective technique for starch product processing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper demonstrates a self-powered Maximum Power Direction Tracking (MPDT) system capable of maximizing the energy harvesting by automatically adjusting the angle of the solar panel. The whole system is powered by a solar panel so no extra power supply is needed. The entire system consists of a solar panel, a motor, and a CMOS chip. A novel light direction sensor and the needed circuit are integrated in a single chip which is fabricated by a standard 0.5 μm CMOS process. So it is small-size and low-cost. The system was tested to verify performance with different light direction and intensity. The results show that the system has good sensitivity to the incident angle and achieve tracking accuracy of ± 1.8 ° over a optical power range of 30–110 mW / cm 2 . The presented system obtains an average output power gain of 18.4% over the fixed southwards mounted system under real weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequential replacement of imidazole from sulfonyldiimidazole by phenols and then amines leads to O -arylsulfamate esters. Application of this coupling method to 19 phenols and 6 amines generates a library of 114 sulfamate esters, Ar-OSO 2 -NR 2 . A sulfamate based conjugate of ethinyl estradiol was prepared by using the steroid 3-hydroxyl as the phenol component, and an amino amide derived from linoleic acid as the amine. Hydrolysis of this conjugate was studied in aqueous buffer at pH values 2, 5, and 7.4, and (essentially identical) respective half-lives of 6.8, 6.6, and 6.7 days were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wogonin, a naturally occurring monoflavonoid extracted from Scutellariae radix, has been shown to possess tumor therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo. However, the effects of wogonin on tumor cells invasion remains poorly understood. In this study, we performed in vitro experiments to investigate the anti-invasive and anti-metastatic activity of wogonin in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells. Wogonin caused a concentration-dependent suppression of cell migration, adhesion and invasion. The mechanism revealed that wogonin significantly inhibited the expression and activity of both endogenous and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) potentially associating with the suppression of translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) δ and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2). These results suggested that wogonin could inhibit the invasion of tumor cells by downregulating the expression and activity of MMP-9, the possible targets may be PKCδ and ERK1/2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Indinavir analogues with blocked metabolism sites show highly improved pharmacokinetic profiles in animals. The cis-aminochromanol substituted analogues exhibited excellent potency against both the wild-type (NL4-3) virus and protease inhibitor-resistant HIV strains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A combinatorial library of 300HIV protease inhibitors has been synthesized. The library was screened against recombinant wild-type and mutant HIV-1 protease enzymes. The pharmacokinetics of the library was evaluated by dosing in dogs. Compounds that are notably more potent than indinavir and have favorable pharmacokinetic properties were identified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]