Application of Powder Metallurgy Methods for Production of a Novel Cu‐Based Composite Frictional Train Brake Material

A novel Cu-based composite frictional train brake material composed of several elements such as Al, SiO2, Fe, graphite, Sn, Mn and SiO2 re-enforced with other elements was treated under Powder Metallurgy (P/M) route. The materials were sintered at three different temperatures (850°C, 900°C and 950°C) at a constant pressure

Conjugate Calculation of Gas Turbine Vanes Cooled with Leading Edge Films

AbstractConjugate calculation methodology is used to simulate the C3X gas turbine vanes cooled with leading edge films of “shower-head” type. By comparing calculated results of different turbulence models with the measured data, it is clear that calculation with the transition model can better simulate the flow and heat transfer in the boundary layers with leading edge film cooling. In the laminar boundary layers, on the upstream suction side, the film cooling flow presents 3D turbulent characteristics before transition, which quickly disappear on the downstream suction side owing to its intensified mixing with hot gas boundary layer after transition. On the pressure side, the film cooling flow retains the 3D turbulent characteristics all the time because the local boundary layers' consistent laminar flow retains a smooth mixing of the cooling flow and the hot gas. The temperature gradients formed between the cooled metallic vane and the hot gas can improve the stability of the boundary layer flow because the gradients possess a self stable convective structure

Multi-Locus Analysis Reveals A Different Pattern of Genetic Diversity for Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA between Wild and Domestic Pigs in East Asia

BACKGROUND: A major reduction of genetic diversity in mtDNA occurred during the domestication of East Asian pigs. However, the extent to which genetic diversity has been lost in the nuclear genome is uncertain. To reveal levels and patterns of nucleotide diversity and to elucidate the genetic relationships and demographic history of domestic pigs and their ancestors, wild boars, we investigated 14 nuclear markers (including 8 functional genes, 2 pseudogenes and 4 intergenic regions) from 11 different chromosomes in East Asia-wide samples and pooled them with previously obtained mtDNA data for a combined analysis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The results indicated that domestic pigs and wild boars possess comparable levels of nucleotide diversity across the nuclear genome, which is inconsistent with patterns that have been found in mitochondrial genome. CONCLUSIONS: This incongruence between the mtDNA and nuclear genomes is suggestive of a large-scale backcross between male wild boars and female domestic pigs in East Asia. Our data reveal the impacts of founder effects and backcross on the pig genome and help us better understand the complex demographic histories of East Asian pigs, which will be useful for future work on artificial selection

Up-regulation of fas reverses cisplatin resistance of human small cell lung cancer cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background/Aim</p> <p>Fas/FasL system is a major regulator of apoptosis. The mechanisms by which Fas mediates cisplatin resistance remain unclear. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of Fas over-expression on cisplatin resistance of small cell lung cancer cells and its possible mechanisms.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>Fas was over-expressed in H446/CDDP cells by infection with the adenoviruses containing Fas. Sensitivity of Fas-overexpressed H446/CDDP cells to cisplatin was evaluated using MTT assay. Expressions of Fas, GST-π and ERCC1 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Apoptosis rate was examined by FACS.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Over-expression of Fas in H446/CDDP cells significantly decreased the expressions of GST-π and ERCC1 at mRNA and protein levels, and increased the cell apoptosis. Furthermore, up-regulation of Fas significantly decreased the tolerance of H446/CDDP cells to cisplatin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Over-expression of Fas reverses drug resistance of H446/CDDP cells, possibly due to the increased cell sensitivity to apoptosis and the decreased expressions of GST-π and ERCC1.</p