Effects of gravity on sheared and nonsheared turbulent nonpremixed flames

The present numerical study is concerned with the fundamental physics of the multiway interaction between turbulence, chemical reaction, and buoyancy in a nonpremixed flame. The method of direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to solve the instantaneous, three-dimensional governing equations. Because of the present supercomputer limitations, we consider two simple flow geometries, namely an initially uniform flow without shear (equivalent to grid-generated turbulence) and an initially uniform shear flow. In each flow, the fuel and oxidant initially exist as two separate streams. As the reactants mix, chemical reaction takes place and exothermic energy is released causing variations in density. In the presence of a gravity field, the spatial and temporal distributions of the induced buoyancy forces depend on the local density gradients and the direction of the gravitational acceleration. The effects of buoyancy include the generation of local shear, baroclinic production or destruction of vorticity, and countergradient heat and mass transport. Increased vorticity and small-scale turbulence promote further mixing and reaction. However, if the strain-rates become too high, local flame extinction can occur. Our objective is to gain an understanding of the complex interactions between the physical phenomena involved, with particular attention to the effects of buoyancy on the turbulence structure, flame behavior, and factors influencing flame extinction

Inhibition Effect of Triglyceride Accumulation by Large Yellow Croaker Roe DHA-PC in HepG2 Cells.

peer-reviewedThe phospholipids (PLs) of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea, P. crocea) roe contain a high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which can lower blood lipid levels. In previous research, PLs of P. crocea roe were found able to regulate the accumulation of triglycerides. However, none of these involve the function of DHA-containing phosphatidylcholine (DHA-PC), which is the main component of PLs derived from P. crocea roe. The function by which DHA-PC from P. crocea roe exerts its effects has not yet been clarified. Herein, we used purified DHA-PC and oleic acid (OA) induced HepG2 cells to establish a high-fat model, and the cell activity and intracellular lipid levels were then measured. The mRNA and protein expression of Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS), Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase 1A (CPT1A) and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α (PPARα) in HepG2 cells were detected via RT-qPCR and western blot as well. It was found that DHA-PC can significantly regulate triglyceride accumulation in HepG2 cells, the effect of which was related to the activation of PPARα receptor activity, upregulation of CPT1A, and downregulation of FAS expression. These results can improve the understanding of the biofunction of hyperlipidemia mediated by DHA-PC from P. crocea roe, as well as provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of DHA-PC from P. crocea roe as a functional food additive

Genome-Wide Identification and Gene Expression Analysis of ABA Receptor Family Genes in Brassica juncea var. tumida

Abscisic acid (ABA) plays important roles in multiple physiological processes, such as plant response to stresses and plant development. The ABA receptors pyrabactin resistance (PYR)/ PYR1-like (PYL)/regulatory components of ABA receptor (RCAR) play a crucial role in ABA perception and signaling. However, little is known about the details regarding PYL family genes in Brassica juncea var. tumida. Here, 25 PYL family genes were identified in B. juncea var. tumida genome, including BjuPYL3, BjuPYL4s, BjuPYL5s, BjuPYL6s, BjuPYL7s, BjuPYL8s, BjuPYL10s, BjuPYL11s, and BjuPYL13. The results of phylogenic analysis and gene structure showed that the PYL family genes performed similar gene characteristics. By analyzing cis-elements in the promoters of those BjuPYLs, several hormone and stress related cis-elements were found. The results of gene expression analysis showed that the ABA receptor homologous genes were induced by abiotic and biotic stress. The tissue-specific gene expression patterns of BjuPYLs also suggested those genes might regulate the stem swelling during plant growth. These findings indicate that BjuPYLs are involved in plant response to stresses and organ development. This study provides valuable information for further functional investigations of PYL family genes in B. juncea var. tumida

Polymorphism of the XRCC1 Gene Is Associated with Susceptibility and Short-Term Recovery of Ischemic Stroke

Background: Base excision repair (BER) is the primary DNA repair system with the ability to fix base lesions caused by oxidative damage. Genetic variants influencing the BER pathway may affect the susceptibility and the outcomes of ischemic stroke. Here, we examined how single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with BER impact susceptibility and short-term recovery of ischemic stroke. Methods: We selected 320 ischemic stroke patients and 303 controls. Then we genotyped SNPs of NEIL1 rs4462560, NEIL3 rs12645561 and XRCC1 rs25487 in both groups. Results: Polymorphism in XRCC1 rs25487 was significantly associated with reduced ischemic stroke (IS) risk (dominant model: OR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.36–0.79, p = 0.002), a milder initial stroke (dominant model: OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.33–0.98, p = 0.043), and also a better short-term recovery (dominant model: OR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.35–0.92, p = 0.022). No association was observed in the other two SNPs. Conclusions: Our study suggests that the genetic variant of XRCC1 rs25487 may contribute to the etiology of ischemic stroke

Quantitative evaluation on AlN transformation and volatilization of chlorides and fluorides in pyrometallurgical treatment for aluminum dross

Reaction characteristics in pyrometallurgical treatment for aluminum dross were studied qualitatively and quantitatively by thermal analysis. The transformation of aluminum nitride (AlN), volatilization of chlorides and fluorides in two kinds of dross under both argon (Ar) and Ar-Oxygen (O2) atmospheres were in detail analyzed and compared. Gas species including water vapor (H2O(g)), ammonia (NH3), nitrogen (N2), nitric oxide (NO), and carbon dioxide (CO2) were clearly identified. The study indicated that N2 and small amount of NO were produced from AlN–O2 reaction while NH3 from AlN–H2O(g) reaction, and H2O(g) and CO2 were necessarily from thermal decomposition of hydroxides and carbonates. Calculation indicated that the AlN–O2 reaction, AlN–H2O(g) reaction, and volatilization of chlorides or fluorides were remarkably slow, for around 30 mg raw material with taking about 37 min to finish the AlN–O2 reaction in 500–1000°C, 60 min to the AlN–H2O(g) reaction in 130–500 °C, and 30 min to the volatilization of chlorides or fluorides in 760–1000°C. Kinetics study indicated that the Ginstling-Brounshtein's diffusion model and Jander's diffusion model were most appropriate for describing the kinetics, respectively with an apparent activation energy of 273.2 kJ mol−1 and 307.4 kJ mol−1 for the AlN–O2 reaction, and with that of 182.0 kJ mol−1 and 194.0 kJ mol−1 for AlN–H2O(g) reaction. The study will be beneficial for design, optimization of pyrometallurgical routes of aluminum dross treatment and for evaluating its environmental effect

Metformin represses cancer cells via alternate pathways in N-cadherin expressing vs. N-cadherin deficient cells

Metformin has emerged as a potential anticancer agent. Here, we demonstrate that metformin plays an anti-tumor role via repressing N-cadherin, independent of AMPK, in wild-type N-cadherin cancer cells. Ectopic-expression of N-cadherin develops metformin-resistant cancer cells, while suppression of N-cadherin sensitizes cancer to metformin. Manipulation of AMPK expression does not alter sensitivity of cancer to metformin. We show that NF-kappaB is a downstream molecule of N-cadherin and metformin regulates NF-kappaB signaling via suppressing N-cadherin. Moreover, we also suggest that TWIST1 is an upstream molecule of N-cadherin/NF-kappaB signaling and manipulation of TWIST1 expression changes the sensitivity of cancer cells to metformin. In contrast to the cells that express N-cadherin, in N-cadherin deficient cells, metformin plays an anti-tumor role via activation of AMPK. Ectopic expression of N-cadherin makes cancer more resistant to metformin. Therefore, we suggest that metformin's anti-cancer therapeutic effect is mediated through different molecular mechanism in wild-type vs. deficient N-cadherin cancer cells. At last, we selected 49 out of 984 patients’ samples with prostatic cancer after radical prostatectomy (selection criteria: Gleason score ≥ 7 and all patients taking metformin) and showed levels of N-cadherin, p65 and AMPK could predict post-surgical recurrence in prostate cancer after treatment of metformin

Application of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and nitrogen regulates aroma biochemistry in fragrant rice

The 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) is a key aroma compound in fragrant rice. The present study assessed the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and nitrogen (N) application induced regulations in the biochemical basis of rice aroma formation. Four N levels, that is, 0, 0.87, 1.75, and 2.61 g/pot, and two GABA treatments, that is, 0 mg/L (GABA0) and 250 mg/L (GABA250), were applied to three fragrant rice cultivars, that is, Yuxiangyouzhan, Yungengyou 14, and Basmati-385. Results showed that GABA250 increased 2AP, Na, Mn, Zn, and Fe contents by 8.44%, 10.95%, 25.70%, 11.14%, and 43.30%, respectively, under N treatments across cultivars. The GABA250 further enhanced the activities of proline dehydrogenase (PDH), ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) (both at 15 days after heading (d AH), and diamine oxidase (DAO) (at maturity) by 20.36%, 11.24%, and 17.71%, respectively. Significant interaction between GABA and N for Mn, Zn, and Fe contents in grains, proline content in leaves, GABA content in leaves at 15 d AH and maturity stage (MS), Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid (P5C) contents in leaves at 15 d AH, and Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (P5CS), PDH, and OAT activities in leaves at MS was noted. Moreover, the 2AP contents in grains at MS showed a significant and positive correlation with the proline contents in the leaves at 15d AH. In conclusion, GABA250 enhanced the 2AP, Na, Mn, Zn, and Fe contents, as well as the enzyme activities involved in 2AP biosynthesis. Exogenous GABA and N application improved the 2AP contents and nutrient uptake in fragrant rice

Diamond nanospherulite: A novel material produced at carbon-water interface by pulsed-laser ablation

地址: 1. XIAMEN UNIV, DEPT CHEM, STATE KEY LAB PHYS CHEM SOLID SURFACES, XIAMEN 361005, PEOPLES R CHINA 出版商: SCIENCE CHINA PRESS, 16 DONGHUANGCHENGGEN NORTH ST, BEIJING 100717, PEOPLES R CHINAFormation of carbon nanoparticles with perfectly spherical.shape and diamond structure (diamond nanospherulite) by laser-ablating a variety of carbon samples in water is reported for the first time The studies reveal that molten carbon nanoparticles generated by laser ablation are quenched directly by water and end up as diamond nanospherulites,possibly due to the high pressure arising from surface tension and the high stability resulting from termination of dangling bonds with hydrogen atoms.Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China;;the State Education Commission of Chin