Enhancement of thermophilic anaerobic sludge digestion by 70ºC pre-treatment : energy considerations

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of a low temperature pre-treatment (70°C) on the thermophilic anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge. Experimental results were used for the calculation of theoretical energy balances of full-scale digesters with and without pre-treatment step. The 70°C sludge pre-treatment increased sludge solubilization by 10 times and enhanced volatile fatty acids generation. Biogas production increased up to 30-40% and methane content in biogas from 64 to 68-70%. Theoretical calculations showed that additional surplus energy production would be expected by incorporating a 70°C pre-treatment step to a thermophilic reactor

Phenanthrene-Incorporated Isoamethyrin: A Near-Planar Macrocycle That Display Enhanced Aromaticity via Protonation-Triggered Conformation Changes

Controlling the aromaticity in expanded porphyrins is a forefront research topic, and the strategy of using protonation-triggered conformational changes to fine-tune electronic properties and aromaticity has yet to be generalized in rigid and planar expanded porphyrins. Here, we synthesized phenanthrene-incorporated isoamethyrins that possess near-planar conformations and nonaromatic characters. However, when methanesulfonic acid (MSA) was added, geometric deformations occurred to minimize the unfavorable strain, resulting in macrocycles that were weakly aromatic as a whole

Structural Diversity and Vibrational Spectra of Nine Cu(I)-Cyanide Metal–Organic Frameworks with in Situ Generated N‑Heterocyclic Ligands

Nine Cu­(I)-cyanide metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), namely, [Cu₄(CN)₂­(4-bpt)₂]_<i>n</i> (<b>1</b>), {[Cu₃(CN)₂­(4-bpt)]­·H₂O}_<i>n</i> (<b>2</b>), [Cu₂(CN)­(3-bpt)]_<i>n</i> (<b>3</b>), [Cu₂(CN)₂­(3-Hptz)]_<i>n</i> (<b>4</b>), [Cu₃(CN)₂­(3-ptz)]_<i>n</i> (<b>5</b>), [Cu₇(CN)₇­(3-tpt)₂]_<i>n</i> (<b>6</b>), {[Cu₉(CN)₉­(btb)₂]­·btb}_<i>n</i> (<b>7</b>), [Cu₂(CN)₂­(4-azpy)]_<i>n</i> (<b>8</b>), and [Cu₃(CN)₃­(bpp)]_<i>n</i> (<b>9</b>) (4/3-Hbpt = 3,5-bis­(4/3-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole; 3-Hptz = 3-pyridyl-tetrazole; 3-tpt = 2,4,6-tris­(3-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine; btb = 1,4-bis­(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)­benzene; 4-azpy = 4,4′-azobispyridine; bpp = 1,3-bis­(4-pyridyl)­propane), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized. The 4-bpt, 3-bpt, and 3-Hptz ligands in <b>1</b>–<b>4</b> were in situ generated by cycloaddition reactions. Their structural features vary from two-dimensional (2D) (<b>3</b>), three-dimensional (3D) (<b>4</b>, <b>5</b>, <b>6</b>), 3D 2-fold interpenetration (<b>1</b>, <b>2</b>, <b>8</b>), to 3D 3-fold interpenetration (<b>7</b>, <b>9</b>). Complex <b>1</b> is an intriguing 3D metal–organic framework (MOF) with a nanosized rectangular channel. Complex <b>3</b> exhibits a chiral 2D double-layered network prepared by achiral component. Complex <b>6</b> is a 3D MOF constructed from six μ₂-cyanides, a μ₃-cyanide, and a μ₃-tpt ligand. Complex <b>7</b> shows an interesting 3D MOF with (3.4)-connected 5-nodal net, containing a btb guest molecule in the rectangular channel. Complex <b>8</b> is a 3D MOF assembled by a 2D [Cu₂(CN)₂]_<i>n</i> network pillared by a 4-azpy spacer. Complex <b>9</b> is a 3D MOF with <b>ths</b> topology. Their structural diversity originates from the variation of Cu­(I) coordination numbers and three types of cyanide-bridging modes, tuned via various bidentate (4-azpy, bpp), tridentate (3-Hptz, 3-tpt), and tetradentate (4-bpt, 3-bpt, 3-ptz, btb) N-heterocyclic ligands. Infrared spectra and cyanide coordination modes are discussed in detail. The characteristic ν­(CN) stretching frequencies in μ₂-CN complexes show linear correlation with the Cu–CN bond distances. A decrease of about 6.7 cm^–1 in ν­(CN) corresponds to a 0.01 Å elongation of the Cu–CN bond. These Cu­(I) complexes exhibit good thermally stability and emit strong luminescence at 386–593 nm

Effect of down-regulation of caveolin-1 on the rearrangement of F-actin and the distribution of cortactin.

<p>In control shRNA cells, few stress fibres were observed in the cytoplasm and cortactin was primarily located in the cytoplasm (A). Control shRNA cells exposure to TNF-α (B) induced stress fiber formation and the disappearance of cortactin from the cell periphery (shown by arrows); Down-regulation of caveolin-1 strengthened the peripheral actin band and induced an increase in the formation of lamellipodia and a change of cortactin localization to cell periphery forming a continuous linear staining pattern (shown by arrows) (C). Cav-1-shRNA cells exposure to TNF-α (D),remarkably, induced lamellipodia increasing and dramatically attenuated the disappearance of cortactin from the cell periphery, moreover, the levels of central actin stress fiber formation were not obvious (shown by arrows). All the images shown are representative of four independent experiments.</p

shRNA-mediated down-regulation of caveolin-1 expression in primary PMVECs.

<p>Control shRNA and Cav-1-shRNA cells were harvested and analyzed in immunoblots probed with a caveolin-1 antibody or GAPDH antibody, as shown in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0055213#pone-0055213-g004" target="_blank">Figure 4</a>. A. Caveolin-1 shRNA reduced expression of caveolin-1 obviously at the time point of 48 h(60±10%) and to minimum at 72 h (10±2%).B. Nevertheless, there was no change of caveolin-1 expression in control shRNA cells. C. Cav-1- shRNA reduced caveolin-1 expression by approximately 90% as compared with control shRNA. Values are mean±SD. *<i>P<</i>0.05, **<i>P<</i>0.01, ***<i>P<</i>0.001.</p

Chiral Coordination Polymers with SHG-Active and Luminescence: An Unusual Homochiral 3D MOF Constructed from Achiral Components

Six new coordination polymers, namely, [Cd­(SO₄)­(4-abpt)­(H₂O)]_<i>n</i>·3<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>1</b>), [Cu₃­(CN)₃­(4-abpt)₂]_<i>n</i> (<b>2</b>), [Cd­(D-cam)­(2-Py­BIm)­(H₂O)]_<i>n</i> (<b>3</b>), [Co­(D-Hcam)­(cptpy)]_<i>n</i> (<b>4</b>), [Cd­(D-cam)­(btmb)]_<i>n</i> (<b>5</b>), and [Cd₂­(D-cam)­(L-cam)­(btmbb)]_<i>n</i> (<b>6</b>) (4-abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis­(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, D-H₂cam = d-camphoric acid, 2-Py­BIm = 2-(2-pyridyl)­benzimidazole, Hcptpy = 4′-(4-carboxy­phenyl)-3,2′:​6′,3″-terpyridine, btmb = 1,4-bis­(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)­benzene, btmbb = 4,4′-bis­(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,1′-biphenyl), have been synthesized under hydro­(solvo)­thermal conditions. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism, and thermogravimetric analysis. Complex <b>1</b> features a 3D porous metal–organic framework, which is a rare example to obtain a homochiral compound from achiral components. Complex <b>2</b> exhibits a 2D polymeric network constructed from μ₂-cyanide, μ₂-4-abpt, and monodentate 4-abpt ligands. Complex <b>3</b> is a homochiral 1D helical chain polymer. Complex <b>4</b> displays a 1D ladder-like polymeric structure in which cptpy^– is tetradentate and D-Hcam^– acts as a side arm. Complex <b>5</b> displays a homochiral 2D network with (4,4) topology. Complex <b>6</b> shows a [Cd₂­(D-cam)­(L-cam)]_<i>n</i> (4,4)-connected network with a paddle-wheel Cd₂­(COO)₄ as node, which is further pillared by a btmbb spacer into a 3D metal–organic framework. d-Camphoric acid underwent racemization under hydrothermal conditions. Cd­(II) complexes <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> crystallize in chiral space groups, and their circular dichroism spectra exhibit obvious positive or negative Cotton effects. Moreover, <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> are SHG-active, and the SHG efficiency, respectively, is 0.15, 0.4, and 0.4 times as much as that of KH₂­PO₄. All the complexes exhibit relatively high thermal stability. <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, <b>5</b>, and <b>6</b> emit violet luminescence originating from ligand-centered emission

Effect of increased Rac1 activity on TNF-α-induced hyperpermeability of the primary RPMVEC monolayer.

<p>A: Effect on TER of the primary RPMVEC monolayer. Compared with controls, TER of primary RPMVEC monolayer challenged with TNF-α for 2 hours decreased significantly. Pretreatment of the primary RPMVEC with O-Me-cAMP (1 hour) significantly augmented TER and prevented TNF-α-induced the drop of TER. B: Effect on flux of FITC-BSA across the primary RPMVEC monolayer. Compared with untreated cells, the RPMVECs treated with TNF-α for 2 h had higher levels of FITC-BSA flux, whereas O-Me-cAMP treatment alone resulted in decrease FITC-BSA flux. Co-treatment with O-Me-cAMP and TNF-α [i.e., O-Me-cAMP +TNF-α] did not lead to increased endothelial permeability. Each bar represents mean ±SD of four independent trials; * denote <i>P</i><0.05, ** denote <i>P</i><0.01, *** denote <i>P</i><0.001.</p

Chiral Coordination Polymers with SHG-Active and Luminescence: An Unusual Homochiral 3D MOF Constructed from Achiral Components

Six new coordination polymers, namely, [Cd­(SO₄)­(4-abpt)­(H₂O)]_<i>n</i>·3<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>1</b>), [Cu₃­(CN)₃­(4-abpt)₂]_<i>n</i> (<b>2</b>), [Cd­(D-cam)­(2-Py­BIm)­(H₂O)]_<i>n</i> (<b>3</b>), [Co­(D-Hcam)­(cptpy)]_<i>n</i> (<b>4</b>), [Cd­(D-cam)­(btmb)]_<i>n</i> (<b>5</b>), and [Cd₂­(D-cam)­(L-cam)­(btmbb)]_<i>n</i> (<b>6</b>) (4-abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis­(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, D-H₂cam = d-camphoric acid, 2-Py­BIm = 2-(2-pyridyl)­benzimidazole, Hcptpy = 4′-(4-carboxy­phenyl)-3,2′:​6′,3″-terpyridine, btmb = 1,4-bis­(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)­benzene, btmbb = 4,4′-bis­(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,1′-biphenyl), have been synthesized under hydro­(solvo)­thermal conditions. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism, and thermogravimetric analysis. Complex <b>1</b> features a 3D porous metal–organic framework, which is a rare example to obtain a homochiral compound from achiral components. Complex <b>2</b> exhibits a 2D polymeric network constructed from μ₂-cyanide, μ₂-4-abpt, and monodentate 4-abpt ligands. Complex <b>3</b> is a homochiral 1D helical chain polymer. Complex <b>4</b> displays a 1D ladder-like polymeric structure in which cptpy^– is tetradentate and D-Hcam^– acts as a side arm. Complex <b>5</b> displays a homochiral 2D network with (4,4) topology. Complex <b>6</b> shows a [Cd₂­(D-cam)­(L-cam)]_<i>n</i> (4,4)-connected network with a paddle-wheel Cd₂­(COO)₄ as node, which is further pillared by a btmbb spacer into a 3D metal–organic framework. d-Camphoric acid underwent racemization under hydrothermal conditions. Cd­(II) complexes <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> crystallize in chiral space groups, and their circular dichroism spectra exhibit obvious positive or negative Cotton effects. Moreover, <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> are SHG-active, and the SHG efficiency, respectively, is 0.15, 0.4, and 0.4 times as much as that of KH₂­PO₄. All the complexes exhibit relatively high thermal stability. <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, <b>5</b>, and <b>6</b> emit violet luminescence originating from ligand-centered emission

Chiral Coordination Polymers with SHG-Active and Luminescence: An Unusual Homochiral 3D MOF Constructed from Achiral Components

Six new coordination polymers, namely, [Cd­(SO₄)­(4-abpt)­(H₂O)]_<i>n</i>·3<i>n</i>H₂O (<b>1</b>), [Cu₃­(CN)₃­(4-abpt)₂]_<i>n</i> (<b>2</b>), [Cd­(D-cam)­(2-Py­BIm)­(H₂O)]_<i>n</i> (<b>3</b>), [Co­(D-Hcam)­(cptpy)]_<i>n</i> (<b>4</b>), [Cd­(D-cam)­(btmb)]_<i>n</i> (<b>5</b>), and [Cd₂­(D-cam)­(L-cam)­(btmbb)]_<i>n</i> (<b>6</b>) (4-abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis­(4-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole, D-H₂cam = d-camphoric acid, 2-Py­BIm = 2-(2-pyridyl)­benzimidazole, Hcptpy = 4′-(4-carboxy­phenyl)-3,2′:​6′,3″-terpyridine, btmb = 1,4-bis­(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)­benzene, btmbb = 4,4′-bis­(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)-1,1′-biphenyl), have been synthesized under hydro­(solvo)­thermal conditions. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and further characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism, and thermogravimetric analysis. Complex <b>1</b> features a 3D porous metal–organic framework, which is a rare example to obtain a homochiral compound from achiral components. Complex <b>2</b> exhibits a 2D polymeric network constructed from μ₂-cyanide, μ₂-4-abpt, and monodentate 4-abpt ligands. Complex <b>3</b> is a homochiral 1D helical chain polymer. Complex <b>4</b> displays a 1D ladder-like polymeric structure in which cptpy^– is tetradentate and D-Hcam^– acts as a side arm. Complex <b>5</b> displays a homochiral 2D network with (4,4) topology. Complex <b>6</b> shows a [Cd₂­(D-cam)­(L-cam)]_<i>n</i> (4,4)-connected network with a paddle-wheel Cd₂­(COO)₄ as node, which is further pillared by a btmbb spacer into a 3D metal–organic framework. d-Camphoric acid underwent racemization under hydrothermal conditions. Cd­(II) complexes <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> crystallize in chiral space groups, and their circular dichroism spectra exhibit obvious positive or negative Cotton effects. Moreover, <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, and <b>5</b> are SHG-active, and the SHG efficiency, respectively, is 0.15, 0.4, and 0.4 times as much as that of KH₂­PO₄. All the complexes exhibit relatively high thermal stability. <b>1</b>, <b>3</b>, <b>5</b>, and <b>6</b> emit violet luminescence originating from ligand-centered emission

Effect of down-regulation of caveolin-1 on TNF-α-induced hyperpermeability of PMVEC monolayer.

<p>A: Effect on TER of PMVEC monolayer. Compared with control shRNA group, the mean baseline TER of PMVECs monolayer increased by 116±10% in Cav1-shRNA group. When challenged with TNF-α, TER of PMVECs monolayer decreased conspicuously in control shRNA more than in Cav-1-shRNA group. Compared with control shRNA cells at different time, prêtreatment with NSC-23766(30 min) significantly abolished the increasing TER in Cav-1-deficient cells monolayer with or without TNF-α stimulation. B: Effect on flux of BSA across PMVEC monolayer. The Flux of FITC-BSA in Cav-1-deficient cells monolayer decreased mildly. Treatment with TNF-α for 2 h significantly increased the flux of BSA in control shRNA group more than in cav-1-shRNA group. Moreover, co-treatment with NSC-23766 and TNF-α, the Flux of FITC-BSA of Cav-1-deficient PMVECs monolayer was increased more severely than that without application of NSC-23766. *<i>P<</i>0.05, **<i>P<</i>0.01, ***<i>P<</i>0.001.</p