Epimorphin Regulates Bile Duct Formation via Effects on Mitosis Orientation in Rat Liver Epithelial Stem-Like Cells

Understanding how hepatic precursor cells can generate differentiated bile ducts is crucial for studies on epithelial morphogenesis and for development of cell therapies for hepatobiliary diseases. Epimorphin (EPM) is a key morphogen for duct morphogenesis in various epithelial organs. The role of EPM in bile duct formation (DF) from hepatic precursor cells, however, is not known. To address this issue, we used WB-F344 rat epithelial stem-like cells as model for bile duct formation. A micropattern and a uniaxial static stretch device was used to investigate the effects of EPM and stress fiber bundles on the mitosis orientation (MO) of WB cells. Immunohistochemistry of liver tissue sections demonstrated high EPM expression around bile ducts in vivo. In vitro, recombinant EPM selectively induced DF through upregulation of CK19 expression and suppression of HNF3α and HNF6, with no effects on other hepatocytic genes investigated. Our data provide evidence that EPM guides MO of WB-F344 cells via effects on stress fiber bundles and focal adhesion assembly, as supported by blockade EPM, β1 integrin, and F-actin assembly. These blockers can also inhibit EPM-induced DF. These results demonstrate a new biophysical action of EPM in bile duct formation, during which determination of MO plays a crucial role

Design and Multi-Objective Optimization for Improving Torque Performance of a Permanent Magnet-Assisted Synchronous Reluctance Motor

Permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motors (PMA-SynRMs) are widely used in various industries as a relatively inexpensive and high-performance energy conversion device. The model proposed in this article relies on a magnetic pole-biased permanent magnet synchronous reluctance motor with a magnetic focusing effect. Two types of models with Halbach array and magnetic focusing effect have been proposed, which increase excitation and make the internal magnetic circuit of the rotor more saturated, thereby achieving higher electromagnetic torque. Through finite element simulation analysis and verification, the motor characteristics of the basic and proposed permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motor were calculated, including the air gap flux density and back electromotive force (EMF) in no-load analysis, as well as the average torque, torque ripple, and efficiency in load analysis. In addition, multi-objective optimization was also conducted on the rotor topology structure of proposed model two, using the uniform Latin hypercube sampling method to uniformly sample the data samples and the Pearson correlation coefficients to perform a sensitivity analysis on the data. The pilOPT multi-objective autonomous optimization algorithm was used to perform multi-objective autonomous optimization on parameters with high correlation, and the best-found solution based on the Pareto front was selected. Compared with proposed model two, the average torque of the optimized model increased by 18.14%, the efficiency increased by 1.05% and the torque ripple decreased by 5.22%. Finally, the anti-demagnetization performance of the optimized model’s permanent magnet was analyzed

design and implementation of testing platform for middleware of wireless sensor networks

Middleware for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is system software between WSNs and applications, which provides a set of common application program interface (API). With the deeper research on the middleware of WSN, the researchers focus on the testing technologies on middleware of WSN and testing platform of middleware of WSN. In this paper, we summarize and propose the standards and common methods of the testing for middleware of WSN, referencing on the ISO/IEC 9126, CSTC and China Mobile standards. We design and implement a testing platform for middleware of WSN based on Web Integration and Eclipse Plug-in technologies, which could conduct the reliability testing, the performance testing and the stress testing for certain specific middle-ware. The platform provides two common testing methods including the manual way and the automatic way, which aims to efficiently verify the performance, the handling capability of error and the handling capability of concurrent for the middleware of WSN. Finally we give the design details and processes of each software module, and show the experimental evaluation of the testing platform. © 2013 Springer-Verlag.China Computer Federation; China Computer Federation Technical Committee on Sensor Network; Technology Research Center of National RFID System EngineeringMiddleware for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) is system software between WSNs and applications, which provides a set of common application program interface (API). With the deeper research on the middleware of WSN, the researchers focus on the testing technologies on middleware of WSN and testing platform of middleware of WSN. In this paper, we summarize and propose the standards and common methods of the testing for middleware of WSN, referencing on the ISO/IEC 9126, CSTC and China Mobile standards. We design and implement a testing platform for middleware of WSN based on Web Integration and Eclipse Plug-in technologies, which could conduct the reliability testing, the performance testing and the stress testing for certain specific middle-ware. The platform provides two common testing methods including the manual way and the automatic way, which aims to efficiently verify the performance, the handling capability of error and the handling capability of concurrent for the middleware of WSN. Finally we give the design details and processes of each software module, and show the experimental evaluation of the testing platform. © 2013 Springer-Verlag

Development and field application of a pulse-jet hydraulic impactor

The current studies on hydraulic pulse jet mainly focus on the pulse jet flow field and its effect, but have never extended to the collaboration of hydraulic impact and pulse jet for rock breaking. In this paper, both hydraulic impact and pulse jet were combined effectively to develop a pulse-jet hydraulic impactor for drilling after analyzing the working principles and realization conditions. The rock-breaking capacity of this tool was verified through laboratory experiments and field tests. The following results were obtained. First, the tool can run when the weight of the impactor body is less than 60 kg. Second, the rock-breaking capacity of the drilling borehole assembly (BHA) under the synergistic action of hydraulic impact and pulse jet is obviously better than that of other drilling tools, and the tool is much more efficient than other tools in ROP enhancement. Third, the impact effect is dependent on the weight and impact frequency of the impactor and the impactor with the weight of 30 kg is better in impact effect. Fourth, the larger the impulse jet, the higher its rock-breaking capacity is. The pulse jet can be increased by reducing the diameter of the tool's nozzle. Fifth, hydraulic impact can help accelerate the breaking of high-hardness rocks, and the breaking of less-cemented rocks can be greatly enhanced by increasing the pulse jet. Field application results show that the ROP of the drilling tool based on the collaboration of hydraulic impact and pulse jet is 2.52 m/h, which is 72.5% higher than that of conventional BHAs. It is concluded that this developed pulse-jet hydraulic impactor provides a new idea to solve the problems in deep wells and horizontal wells, such as low drilling speed, obvious chip hold down effect and difficult cuttings removal. Keywords: Hydraulic impact, Pulse jet, Collaborative rock-breaking, Drilling tool, Laboratory experiment, Field test, Rock-breaking capacity, ROP enhancemen

Upper Crustal Structure and Earthquake Mechanism in the Xinfengjiang Water Reservoir, Guangdong, China

The Xinfengjiang Water Reservoir (XWR) in Guangdong, China, is one of the reservoirs that have triggered earthquakes of magnitudes greater than 6. Numerous earthquakes have occurred since the impoundment of the reservoir, making it one of the most active seismic zones in Guangdong. However, due to the lack of seismic stations, the detailed seismic structures and earthquake mechanisms within XWR have not been resolved, and the significance of XWR as a typical protracted earthquake location is not well judged. In this study, by collecting waveform data from both permanent and temporary stations from 2012 to 2015, we relocated 1,528 earthquakes and inverted both V-p and V-s structures from traveltimes of these earthquakes. Using waveform data, we also investigated focal mechanisms of earthquakes with magnitude greater than 1.5 in this region. Our results reveal fine crustal structure that has never been shown before and show complicated crust structure with several low-velocity zones extending to 5-10km depth under the major faults. Earthquake focal mechanisms show more dip-slip faults than strike-slip faults, and the two types of earthquakes are roughly divided by the reservoir boundary. The direction of principle stress of the earthquakes is northwest-southeast, consistent with the direction of tectonic principal stress. Combining the above results, and investigation of historical earthquakes and water level change, we suggest that water loading cycle and diffusion play important role in XWR seismicity. They increase the pore pressure, make the earthquakes migrate to deeper depth, and change the type of earthquakes

Research Status and Application Prospects of LiMnPO_4 as A New Generation Cathode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Olivine-structured lithium manganese phosphate (LiMnPO_4) has the following advantages: excellent thermal stability, low cost, high safety and environmental benignity. Importantly, the theoretical energy density of LiMnPO_4 is about 20% higher than that of commercialized LiFePO_4 due to its higher Li~+ intercalation potential of 4.1 V (vs. Li~+/Li). Moreover, the high operating voltage of LiMnPO_4 is compatible with present non-aqueous organic electrolytes of lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, LiMnPO_4 is considered as a next generation cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. However, LiMnPO_4 suffers from poor electronic conductivity and low lithium diffusivity, resulting in its low discharge capacity and poor rate capability. And these intrinsic disadvantages hinder LiMnPO_4 from its practical applications in lithium-ion batteries. In this paper, recent researches in the modifications includi ng carbon coating, ion doping, nanoization and cyrstalline morphological controlling, full cells, patent situation and commercial progress are reviewed. The prospects of its future development are also predicted. Particularly, the experimental data by Advanced Li-ion Battery Engineering Lab fully proves that LiMnPO_4 has the feasibility of applying in lithium batteries ofHEVs or EVs. LiMnPO_4 composite such as LiMnPO_4/ternary cathode materials could be most likely to be realized in the near future

Heat Transfer in Vacuum Pyrolysis of Decomposing Hazardous Plastic Wastes

Vacuum pyrolysis has been widely used to decompose plastic wastes for obtaining purity chemicals or remove hazardous organic pollutants. The pyrolysis temperature determined the variety of pyrolysis products. The final (highest) temperature was the most investigated factor. However, temperatures used in vacuum pyrolysis were not equally distributed. The lowest temperature also determined the variety of the products. Regrettably, this vital factor has not been researched and reported. In this paper, the heat transfer process of vacuum pyrolysis was fully analyzed. The models for computing the lowest temperature were constructed. The models were certified by the vacuum pyrolysis of novolac epoxy particles collected from crushed waste printed circuit boards. According to the models, we found the heat transfer coefficient of the crucible and the inner diameters of the crucible and alundum tube were the key factors for controlling the lowest temperature. The models can help us to modify and adjust the lowest and highest (final) temperatures in vacuum pyrolysis. This contributed to recovering pure chemicals or removing pollutants from plastic wastes by vacuum pyrolysis

Effects of Ti additive on the structure and electrochemical performance of LiMnPO4 cathode material

The (1-x)LiMnPO4 center dot LixTix(PO4)(delta) (x=0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) cathode materials are successfully synthesized through a solid-state method. The structures and electrochemical properties of the prepared samples have been characterized comprehensively. It is found minority phases containing LiTi2(PO4)(3) and TiP2O7 were formed. The addition of Ti has obviously reduced the size of grains. Electrochemical tests indicate that the discharge capacities of LiMnPO4 samples can be significantly improved with the addition of Ti. Especially, the (1-x)LiMnPO4 center dot LixTi(PO4)(delta) sample with x=0.1 has the largest discharge specific capacity, which is more than 131 mAh g(-1) at 0.05 C. And EIS tests' demonstrate that the 0.9LiMnPO(4)center dot Li0.1Ti0.1(PO4)(delta) sample has lower charge transfer resistance and higher diffusion coefficient than the pristine LiMnPO4 sample. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Mechanism of self-recovery of hydrophobicity after surface damage of lotus leaf

Abstract The surfaces of lotus leaves with micro- and nano-waxy cuticle structures are superhydrophobic and possess a self-healing ability to regain hydrophobicity after damage. Inspired by this phenomenon, the problem of water-repellent coatings used in natural environments failing to perform after damage can be solved if these coatings are endowed with rapid self-repair and self-growth functions. However, there has been almost no exploration into the hydrophobicity self-repair process in lotus leaves. The changes in surface morphology during the hydrophobicity recovery process are not understood. There is a lack of research on the hydrophobicity recovery in lotus leaves. In this study, the damage and recovery experiments on lotus leaf surfaces were carried out in an artificial climate chamber, and the water repellency recovery process and typical water repellency roughness parameters regained time were obtained. Upon analyzing the differences in the recovery process of different damage types, the recovery mechanism after lotus leaf surface damage was obtained. Finally, it was found that the microscopic roughness determined the static contact angle (WCA) of the lotus leaf surface, and the nanoscopic roughness determined the rolling angle (SA). The dual factors of the recovery of the extruded epidermal tissue and the regeneration of the epidermal wax crystals determined the hydrophobicity recovery process in damaged lotus leaves