Studying the process of freons mixture separation on a structured packing Sultzer 500X

Structured packings are widely used in distillation columns to separate various types of mixtures. These packings have an ordered structure, which ensures more uniform conditions for interaction of counter-current flows of liquid and vapor than in the random packings and have a small hydraulic resistance. Nevertheless, in columns with a diameter of more than 0.5 m, formation of large-scale non-uniformity in distribution of liquid and vapor flow parameters over the packing cross-section is observed. In this work, experimental data on formation of large-scale non-uniformity in the temperature field over the cross-section of the Sulzer 500X packing, as well as on the efficiency of mixture separation and the pressure drop across the packing were obtained. The experiments were carried out with separation of R114/R21 freon mixture on a 10-layer structured packing Sulzer 500X with a diameter of 0.6 m and a height of 2.2 m. Experimental data were compared with the results obtained earlier for a structured packing Mellapack 350.Y with a diameter of 0.9 m and a height of 2.1 m. The presented experimental data will be used to construct and verify a new model of mass transfer and efficiency of mixture separation in the large-scale distillation packed columns

Immune activation during pregnancy exacerbates ASD-related alterations in Shank3-deficient mice

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is mainly characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication and repetitive behaviors. Known causes of ASD are mutations of certain risk genes like the postsynaptic protein SHANK3 and environmental factors including prenatal infections. METHODS: To analyze the gene-environment interplay in ASD, we combined the Shank3Δ11−/− ASD mouse model with maternal immune activation (MIA) via an intraperitoneal injection of polyinosinic/polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) on gestational day 12.5. The offspring of the injected dams was further analyzed for autistic-like behaviors and comorbidities followed by biochemical experiments with a focus on synaptic analysis. RESULTS: We show that the two-hit mice exhibit excessive grooming and deficits in social behavior more prominently than the Shank3Δ11−/− mice. Interestingly, these behavioral changes were accompanied by an unexpected upregulation of postsynaptic density (PSD) proteins at excitatory synapses in striatum, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. LIMITATIONS: We found several PSD proteins to be increased in the two-hit mice; however, we can only speculate about possible pathways behind the worsening of the autistic phenotype in those mice. CONCLUSIONS: With this study, we demonstrate that there is an interplay between genetic susceptibility and environmental factors defining the severity of ASD symptoms. Moreover, we show that a general misbalance of PSD proteins at excitatory synapses is linked to ASD symptoms, making this two-hit model a promising tool for the investigation of the complex pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-022-00532-3

Layered <i>P</i>3‑Na_<i>x</i>Co_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ versus Spinel Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ as a Positive and a Negative Electrode in a Full Sodium–Lithium Cell

The development of lithium and sodium ion batteries without using lithium and sodium metal as anodes gives the impetus for elaboration of low-cost and environmentally friendly energy storage devices. In this contribution we demonstrate the design and construction of a new type of hybrid sodium–lithium ion cell by using unique electrode combination (Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ spinel as a negative electrode and layered Na_3/4Co_1/3Ni_1/3Mn_1/3O₂ as a positive electrode) and conventional lithium electrolyte (LiPF₆ salt dissolved in EC/DMC). The cell operates at an average potential of 2.35 V by delivering a reversible capacity of about 100 mAh/g. The mechanism of the electrochemical reaction in the full sodium–lithium ion cell is studied by means of postmortem analysis, as well as <i>ex situ</i> X-ray diffraction analysis, HR-TEM, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR). The changes in the surface composition of electrodes are examined by <i>ex situ</i> X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)

Altered spinogenesis in iPSC-derived cortical neurons from patients with autism carrying de novo SHANK3 mutations

The synaptic protein SHANK3 encodes a multidomain scafold protein expressed at the postsynaptic density of neuronal excitatory synapses. We previously identifed de novo SHANK3 mutations in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and showed that SHANK3 represents one of the major genes for ASD. Here, we analyzed the pyramidal cortical neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from four patients with ASD carrying SHANK3 de novo truncating mutations. At 40–45 days after the diferentiation of neural stem cells, dendritic spines from pyramidal neurons presented variable morphologies: flopodia, thin, stubby and muschroom, as measured in 3D using GFP labeling and immunofuorescence. As compared to three controls, we observed a signifcant decrease in SHANK3 mRNA levels (less than 50% of controls) in correlation with a signifcant reduction in dendritic spine densities and whole spine and spine head volumes. These results, obtained through the analysis of de novo SHANK3 mutations in the patients’ genomic background, provide further support for the presence of synaptic abnormalities in a subset of patients with ASD

Altered spinogenesis in iPSC-derived cortical neurons from patients with autism carrying de novo SHANK3 mutations

Abstract The synaptic protein SHANK3 encodes a multidomain scaffold protein expressed at the postsynaptic density of neuronal excitatory synapses. We previously identified de novo SHANK3 mutations in patients with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and showed that SHANK3 represents one of the major genes for ASD. Here, we analyzed the pyramidal cortical neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells from four patients with ASD carrying SHANK3 de novo truncating mutations. At 40–45 days after the differentiation of neural stem cells, dendritic spines from pyramidal neurons presented variable morphologies: filopodia, thin, stubby and muschroom, as measured in 3D using GFP labeling and immunofluorescence. As compared to three controls, we observed a significant decrease in SHANK3 mRNA levels (less than 50% of controls) in correlation with a significant reduction in dendritic spine densities and whole spine and spine head volumes. These results, obtained through the analysis of de novo SHANK3 mutations in the patients’ genomic background, provide further support for the presence of synaptic abnormalities in a subset of patients with ASD