Effect of flow choking on experimental average friction factor of gas microflows

Pressure drop experiments are performed for a rectangular channel having a hydraulic diameter of 295\u3bcm (w=360\u3bcm, h=250\u3bcm) up to Re 16000. A validated numerical model is used to gain insight of flow physics inside employed microchannel test assembly. Comparison of numerical and experimentally calculated flow properties considering two different data reduction methodologies show that adiabatic treatment of gas results in a better agreement of average friction factor values with conventional theory in turbulent regime. Minor loss coefficients available in literature are not valid for microflows as they change from one assembly to other. This necessitates an estimation of minor loss coefficients as a priori which can be established using a validated numerical model of the experimental test rig. However, such a treatment of minor loss coefficients adds an additional step of establishing a well posed numerical model before each experiment and hence is not convenient at all from experimentalist point of view. An adiabatic treatment of the gas along the length of the channel coupled with isentropic flow assumption from manifold to microchannel inlet results in a self-sustained experimental data reduction and therefore should be followed in consequent gas flow studies. Furthermore, assumption of perfect expansion and wrong estimation of average gas temperature between inlet and outlet results in an apparent increase of experimental friction factor in highly turbulent choked regime. Literature has been divided into two main approaches for establishing experimental average frictional characteristics in micro channels (MCs). When a total pressure drop and inlet temperature are available, a classical methodology is to invoke minor loss coefficients and subtract pressure losses associated to inlet/outlet manifold. Resulting pressure difference is then utilized along with measured temperature at manifold inlet to calculate average isothermal fanning friction factor. Such a treatment is quite realistic when an incompressible liquid working fluid is utilized but has been applied to compressible flows as well in the past [1]. In reality, a gas microflow does not stay isothermal and shows a strong temperature decrease close to outlet for adiabatic walls. For an adiabatic flow, temperature estimation at MC outlet can be done using a quadratic equation proposed by [2]. Data reduction methodology where minor losses are utilized along with the temperature estimation at outlet, is referred to as M1 in the subsequent text. An alternative methodology (M2), originally proposed by [2] is to estimate MC inlet flow properties by assuming isentropic flow between inlet manifold and MC inlet. This automatically caters for a reduction in MC inlet pressure and hence inlet coefficient is not required. Main aim of current study is to investigate underlying differences and their effects on experimental average friction factor between above stated methodologies in the presence of flow choking. An establishment of a unique methodology for future compressible gas experimentalists is also intended

Data reduction of average friction factor of gas flow through adiabatic micro-channels

This paper presents data reduction of average friction factor of gas flow through adiabatic microchannels. In the case of micro-channel gas flow at high speed, the large expansion occurs near the outlet and the pressure gradient along the length is not constant with a significant increase near the outlet. This results in flow acceleration and a decrease in gas temperature. Therefore the friction factor of microchannel gas flow should be obtained with measuring both the pressure and temperature. The data reductions on friction factors were carried out under the assumption of isothermal flow for numerous experimental and numerical studies since temperature measurement of micro-channel gas flow at high speed is quite difficult due to the measurement limitations. In the previous study, it was found that the gas temperature can be determined by the pressure under the assumption of one dimensional flow in an adiabatic channel (Fanno flow). Therefore in the present study data reduction to estimate friction factors between two relatively distant points considering the effect of a decrease in temperature is introduced with the temperature determined by the measured pressure at a specific location. The Friction factors obtained by using the present data reduction are examined with the available literature and the results are compared with empirical correlations on Moody chart

Data reduction of average friction factor of gaseous flow in micro-channels with adiabatic wall

This study focuses on data reduction of average friction factor of gaseous flow through microchannels. In the case of microchannel gas flow at high speed, the large expansion occurs near the outlet and the pressure gradient along the length is not constant and increases near the outlet. This results in flow acceleration and a decease in bulk temperature. Therefore both pressure and temperature are required to obtain the friction factor of the microchannel gas flow. In the past data reduction of many experiments, the friction factors have been obtained under the assumption of isothermal flow since temperature measurement of compressible flow in micro-channels is quite difficult due to the experimental technique limitations. Kawashima and Asako [1] found that the gas temperature can be determined by the pressure under the assumption of one dimensional flow in an adiabatic channel (Fanno flow) to obtain the friction factor considering the effect of a decrease in gas temperature

Effects of tachyplesin on the morphology and ultrastructure of human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-823

AIM To investigate the morphological and ultrastructural changes in the human gastric carcinoma cell line BGC-S23 after being treated with tachyplesin, METHODS Tachyplesin was isolated from acid extracts of Chinese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) hemocytes, BGC-823 cells and the cells treated with 2.0 mg/L tachyplesin were examined respectively under light microscope, scanning and transmission electron microscope. RESULTS BGC-823 cells had undergone the restorational alteration in morphology and ultrastructure after tachyplesin treatment. The changes were as follows: the shape of cells was unanimous, the volume enlarged and cells turned to be flat and spread, the nucleocytoplasmic ratio lessened and nuclear shape became rather regular, the number of nucleolus reduced and its volume lessened, heterchromatin decreased while euchromatin increased in nucleus. In the cytoplasm, mitochondria grew in number with consistent structure relatively, Golgi complex turned to be typical and well-developed, rough endoplasmic reticulum increased and polyribosome decreased. The microvilli at cellular surface were rare and the filopodia reduced while lamellipodia increased at the cell edge. CONCLUSION Tachyplesin could alter the malignant morphological and ultrastructural characteristics of human gastric carcinoma cells effectively and have a certain inducing differentiation effect on human gastric carcinoma cells

Effects of tachyplesin on the regulation of cell cycle in human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells

AIM: To investigate the effects of tachyplesin on the cell cycle regulation in human hepatcarcinoma cells. METHODS: Effects of tachyplesin on the cell cycle in human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cells were assayed with flow cytometry. The protein levels of p53, p16, cyclin D1 and CDK4 were assayed by immunocytochemistry. The mRNA levels of p21(WAF1/CIP1) and c-myc genes were examined with in situ hybridization assay. RESULTS: After tachyplesin treatment, the cell cycle arrested at G(0)/G(1) phase, the protein levels of mutant p53, cyclin D1 and CDK4 and the mRNA level of c-myc gene a were decreased, whereas the levels of p16 protein and p21(WAF1/CIP1) mRNA increased. CONCLUSION: Tachyplesin might arrest the cell at G(0)/G(1) phase by upregulating the levels of p16 protein and p21(WAF1/CIP1) mRNA and downregulating the levels of mutant p53, cyclin D1 and CDK4 proteins and c-myc mRNA, and induce the differentiation of human hepatocacinoma cells

Effects of tachyplesin on proliferation and differentiation of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells

AIM: To investigate the antitumor activities of tachyplesin on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. METHODS: Tachyplesin, isolated from acid extracts of Chinese horseshoe crab ( Tachypleus tridentatus) hemocytes, was used to treat the human HCC cell line SMMC-7721. Effects of tachyplesin on the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells were measured with trypan blue dye exclusion test and HE staining. The morphology and ultrastructure of the cells were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The activities of gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) and tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) were assayed with biochemical methods. The levels of alpha fetoprotein (alpha-FP), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p21(WAF1/CIP1) and c-myc were examined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: After treatment with tachyplesin 3.0 mg/L, the proliferation of SMMC-7721 cells was inhibited significantly, with the cell growth inhibitory rate amounted to 55.57% and the maximum cell mitotic index declined by 43.68%. The morphology and ultrastructure underwent restorational alteration. The activity of gamma-GT declined while TAT activity increased obviously, and the levels of alpha-FP and PCNA decreased. Moreover, the expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) protein was up-regulated and that of c-myc protein was down-regulated. CONCLUSION: Tachyplesin could effectively inhibit the proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells, reverse the malignant morphological and ultrastructural characteristics, alter the levels of enzymes and antigens, regulate the expression of differentiation-associated oncogene and tumor suppressor gene, and induce hepatocarcinama cell differentiation

Molecular Cloning and Sequence Analysis of a Novel P450 Gene Encoding CYP345D3 from the Red Flour Beetle, Tribolium castaneum

A novel cDNA clone encoding a cytochrome P450 gene has been isolated from the insecticide-susceptible strain of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The nucleotide sequence of the clone, designated CYP345D3, was determined. The cDNA is 1554 bp in length and contains an open reading frame from base pairs 32 to 1513, encoding a protein of 493 amino acid residues and a predicted molecular weight of 57466 Daltons. The putative protein contains the classic heme-binding sequence motif FxxGxxxCxG (residues 430–439) conserved among all P450 enzymes as well as other characteristic motifs of the cytochrome P450s. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with other CYP members shows that CYP345D3 shares 91% identity with the previously published sequence of CYP345D1 from the T. castaneum genome project and the nucleotide sequence identity between them is less than 80%. Phylogenetic analysis of amino acid sequences from members of various P450 families indicated close phylogenetic relationship of CYP345D3 with CYP6 of other insects than those from mammals and amore distant relationship to P450 from other families. CYP345D3 was submitted to GenBank, accession number EU008544

Disruption of beta cell acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 in mice impairs insulin secretion and beta cell mass

Aims/hypothesis Pancreatic beta cells secrete insulin to maintain glucose homeostasis, and beta cell failure is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. Glucose triggers insulin secretion in beta cells via oxidative mitochondrial pathways. However, it also feeds mitochondrial anaplerotic pathways, driving citrate export and cytosolic malonyl-CoA production by the acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) enzyme. This pathway has been proposed as an alternative glucose-sensing mechanism, supported mainly by in vitro data. Here, we sought to address the role of the beta cell ACC1-coupled pathway in insulin secretion and glucose homeostasis in vivo. Methods Acaca, encoding ACC1 (the principal ACC isoform in islets), was deleted in beta cells of mice using the Cre/loxP system. Acaca floxed mice were crossed with Ins2cre mice (βACC1KO; life-long beta cell gene deletion) or Pdx1creER mice (tmx-βACC1KO; inducible gene deletion in adult beta cells). Beta cell function was assessed using in vivo metabolic physiology and ex vivo islet experiments. Beta cell mass was analysed using histological techniques. Results βACC1KO and tmx-βACC1KO mice were glucose intolerant and had defective insulin secretion in vivo. Isolated islet studies identified impaired insulin secretion from beta cells, independent of changes in the abundance of neutral lipids previously implicated as amplification signals. Pancreatic morphometry unexpectedly revealed reduced beta cell size in βACC1KO mice but not in tmx-βACC1KO mice, with decreased levels of proteins involved in the mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR)-dependent protein translation pathway underpinning this effect. Conclusions/interpretation Our study demonstrates that the beta cell ACC1-coupled pathway is critical for insulin secretion in vivo and ex vivo and that it is indispensable for glucose homeostasis. We further reveal a role for ACC1 in controlling beta cell growth prior to adulthood

Health services research in the public healthcare system in Hong Kong: An analysis of over 1 million antihypertensive prescriptions between 2004-2007 as an example of the potential and pitfalls of using routinely collected electronic patient data

<b>Objectives</b> Increasing use is being made of routinely collected electronic patient data in health services research. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential usefulness of a comprehensive database used routinely in the public healthcare system in Hong Kong, using antihypertensive drug prescriptions in primary care as an example.<p></p> <b>Methods</b> Data on antihypertensive drug prescriptions were retrieved from the electronic Clinical Management System (e-CMS) of all primary care clinics run by the Health Authority (HA) in the New Territory East (NTE) cluster of Hong Kong between January 2004 and June 2007. Information was also retrieved on patients’ demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, visit type (new or follow-up), and relevant diseases (International Classification of Primary Care, ICPC codes). <p></p> <b>Results</b> 1,096,282 visit episodes were accessed, representing 93,450 patients. Patients’ demographic and socio-economic details were recorded in all cases. Prescription details for anti-hypertensive drugs were missing in only 18 patients (0.02%). However, ICPC-code was missing for 36,409 patients (39%). Significant independent predictors of whether disease codes were applied included patient age > 70 years (OR 2.18), female gender (OR 1.20), district of residence (range of ORs in more rural districts; 0.32-0.41), type of clinic (OR in Family Medicine Specialist Clinics; 1.45) and type of visit (OR follow-up visit; 2.39). <p></p> In the 57,041 patients with an ICPC-code, uncomplicated hypertension (ICPC K86) was recorded in 45,859 patients (82.1%). The characteristics of these patients were very similar to those of the non-coded group, suggesting that most non-coded patients on antihypertensive drugs are likely to have uncomplicated hypertension. <p></p> <b>Conclusion</b> The e-CMS database of the HA in Hong Kong varies in quality in terms of recorded information. Potential future health services research using demographic and prescription information is highly feasible but for disease-specific research dependant on ICPC codes some caution is warranted. In the case of uncomplicated hypertension, future research on pharmaco-epidemiology (such as prescription patterns) and clinical issues (such as side-effects of medications on metabolic parameters) seems feasible given the large size of the data set and the comparability of coded and non-coded patients

Crystals for neutron scattering studies of quantum magnetism

We review a strategy for targeted synthesis of large single crystal samples of prototype quantum magnets for inelastic neutron scattering experiments. Four case studies of organic copper halogenide S=1/2 systems are presented. They are meant to illustrate that exciting experimental results pertaining to forefront many-body quantum physics can be obtained on samples grown using very simple techniques, standard laboratory equipment, and almost no experience in in advanced crystal growth techniques.Comment: 16 pages, 10 figure