Map showing the Lop Region and the location of Xiaohe Cemetery (modified from [13]).

<p>Map showing the Lop Region and the location of Xiaohe Cemetery (modified from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0068957#B13" target="_blank">13</a>]).</p

Plan diagram of the Xiaohe Cemetery.

<p>(a) mud coffin BM28; (b) mud coffin BM 1; (c) mud coffin M100; (d) mud coffin M75 (plan in top left corner revised from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0068957#B14" target="_blank">14</a>]).</p

Palynomorphs found from the samples collected from the mud coffin.

<p>The first column shows pollen grains under light microscope; the middle column shows the previous grains under the scanning electronic microscope; and the last column shows the surface details under scanning electronic microscope. (a) <i>Ephedra</i>; (b) <i>Typha</i>; (c) <i>Artemisia</i>; (d) Chenopodiaceae.</p

Effects of Secondary Reactions on the Destruction of Cellulose-Derived Volatiles during Biomass/Coal Co-gasification

The purpose of this study was to reveal the structural evolution of cellulose-derived tars in the biomass/coal co-gasification environment. A two-stage reactor was employed, where the pyrolytic vapors of cellulose were produced in the top stage and the secondary reactions of these vapors took place in the bottom stage under a range of conditions. The roles of anthracite char and steam were examined by implementing three operational modes in the bottom stage: thermal cracking (TC), catalytic cracking (CC), and catalytic reforming (CR), over a temperature range from 600 to 900 °C. Anthracite char was effective in enhancing tar reduction at lower temperatures (≤700 °C), above which its effect diminished. Tar yields under the CC and CR modes were comparable in the studied temperature range, suggesting the minimum effects of steam on the tar amount. However, gel permeation chromatography coupled with a diode array detector (GPC–DAD) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) characterization of tars showed that both anthracite char and steam had significant influence on the composition of tar, in terms of the molecular weight distribution and aromatic cluster sizes. Specifically, at a high temperature (900 °C), the presence of anthracite char facilitated the reduction of aromatic compounds, especially those with larger aromatic ring systems (≥3 fused benzene rings). In addition, the used anthracite chars showed lowered specific surface areas, which was postulated to be the main reason for their slightly reduced gasification reactivity

Palynomorphs found in the samples collected from the mud coffin.

<p>The first column shows pollen grains under light microscope; the middle column shows the previous grains under the scanning electronic microscope; and the last column shows the surface details under scanning electronic microscope. (a) Gramineae; (b) <i>Corylus</i>; (c) <i>Tamarix</i>.</p

Other materials found from the samples. (a) straws; (b) piece of sheep manure; (c) livestock hairs.

<p>Other materials found from the samples. (a) straws; (b) piece of sheep manure; (c) livestock hairs.</p

Construction of the pET40b-rHWTX-I expression vector.

<p>A) pET40b-FrHWTX-I. B) pET40b-rHWTX-I.</p

RP-HPLC chromatography and mass spectra of rHWTX-I.

<p>A) RP-HPLC chromatography of rHWTX-I (upper) and native HWTX-I (lower) in the same C18 column. Elution was monitored at 280 nm. rHWTX-I and native HWTX-I were eluted at an acetonitrile concentration of 30.4% and 30.6%, respectively. B) Mass spectra of purified rHWTX-I. The calculated theoretical molecular weight of rHWTX-I was 3756.45 Da and the measured molecular weight was 3750.69 Da.</p

Characterization of HWTX-I.

<p>A) Amino acid sequence and disulfide bonds (black lines) of HWTX-I. B) 3D structure of HWTX-I (PDB entry 1qk6). All of the cysteines and disulfide bridges are shown in red. C) Model of the surface calculation of HWTX-I (version 0.99 beta37 by PyMOL).</p

Effects of rHWTX-I and HWTX-I on wild-type hNav_1.7 channels expressed in HEK293 cells.

<p>A) Effects of rHWTX-I (left) or native HWTX-I (right) on currents through hNav_1.7 channels that were elicited by depolarization to −10 mV from a holding potential of −100 mV. The toxin concentration was 1 µmole/L. B) Effects of rHWTX-I (left) or native HWTX-I (right) on dose-response inhibitory curves of hNav_1.7 channels. Data points shown as mean ± S.E. (each from three to five experimental cells). The IC₅₀ values of hNav_1.7 in response to rHWTX-I and native HWTX-I were 640 nmole/L and 630 nmole/L, respectively.</p