Exploring Pharmacological Functions of Alternatively Spliced Variants of the Mu Opioid Receptor Gene,Oprm1, via Gene-Targeted Animal Models

The mu opioid receptor has a distinct place in the opioid receptor family, since it mediates the actions of most opioids used clinically (e.g., morphine and fentanyl), as well as drugs of abuse (e.g., heroin). The single-copy mu opioid receptor gene, OPRM1, goes through extensive alternative pre-mRNA splicing to generate numerous splice variants that are conserved from rodents to humans. These OPRM1 splice variants can be classified into three structurally distinct types: (1) full-length 7 transmembrane (TM) carboxyl (C)-terminal variants; (2) truncated 6TM variants; and (3) single TM variants. Distinct pharmacological functions of these splice variants have been demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo studies, particularly by using several unique gene-targeted mouse models. These studies provide new insights into our understanding of the complex actions of mu opioids with regard to OPRM1 alternative splicing. This review provides an overview of the studies that used these gene-targeted mouse models for exploring the functional importance of Oprm1 splice variants.     

Fabrication of multilayer TiO2 thin films for dye-sensitized solar cells with high conversion efficiency by electrophoresis deposition

This research coats a commercial TiO₂ nanoparticle Degussa P25 with good roundness and size uniformity on an indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate and to be photoelectrical electrode by electrophoresis deposition. It combined with dye N719, electrolyte I^-/ and counter-electrode of Pt layer to produce dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Through the electrophoretic technique, a multilayer film of an appropriate thickness is deposited in the suspension containing TiO₂ nanoparticles and isopropanol. In this process, electric current, voltage, and the number of deposition cycles are well controlled to obtain a single TiO₂ film of around 3.3 μm thick. Stacking is then performed to obtain a multilayer-typed TiO₂ film of around 12 μm thick. As the sintering temperature reaches 400 °C, the prepared multilayer TiO₂ film with a good compactness can increase the dye adsorption capability of the thin film and enhance its adsorption percentage. In addition, the heat treatment will transfer a portion of the rutile crystalline into the anatase crystalline, resulting in better material properties for DSSCs application. DSSCs produced are exposed to metal halide lamp and their energy conversion efficiency is measured. The I-V curve of the produced DSSCs shows that it has an excellent energy conversion efficiency of 6.9%.     

Bio-hydrogen production enhancement by co-cultivating Rhodopseudomonas palustris WP3-5 and Anabaena sp. CH3

Photobiological H₂ production is a promising method for renewable energy development. An innovative system that co-cultivating Rhodopseudomonas palustris WP3-5 and Anabaena sp. CH3 was carried out to estimate the effect of co-cultivation on H₂ production enhancement. H₂ production prolongation and enhancement were observed due to the light and metabolic compatibility of these two strains. Co-culture system served by acetate and fructose as carbon source can accumulate H₂ in 140.8 mL, almost double than the sum of individuals. Moreover, the enhancement of H₂ production was significantly affected by the mixed ratio of two strains. The mixed ratio (WP3-5:CH3) of 1:2 showed a highest H₂ production rate in 44.8 mL-H₂/L-culture/h, and both 2:1 and 1:2 exhibited a relatively high substrate conversion efficiency during the latest period of cultivation, whereas the mixed ratio of 1:1 and 3:1 only revealed a prolongation in H₂ production due to metabolic compatibility of two strains.     

Enhancing students’ botanical learning by using augmented reality

Universal Access in the Information Society - Scientific literacy is considered a crucial part of learners’ basic capacities. In primary schools, scientific literacy is generally cultivated...     

Comparative study of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy measurement using two slurry circulation systems

The experimental conditions associated with slurry measurements to achieve good precision by using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) are examined. LIBS analysis was applied to a special waste slurry sample that contains 85.4% water, 2.5% ferric oxide Fe(2)O(3), 1.7% alumina Al(2)O(3), and small quantities of oxides of boron and chromium. While liquids add challenge to LIBS measurements, the analysis was successfully performed on iron and aluminum. Two slurry circulation systems were devised to overcome the major technical problems associated with LIBS measurements of slurry samples, namely, sedimentation and change in the lens-to-sample distance during measurement. LIBS slurry measurements using both circulation systems are compared. The results show that the experimental configuration plays a crucial role for online slurry analysis.     

Kinetic Study on Absorption of SO2 and NOX with Acidic NaClO2 Solutions Using the Spraying Column

The operating conditions of this study are close to the typical operating conditions of flue gas desulfurization system in coal-fired power plants. The aim of this study is to investigate the absorption kinetics of SO2 and NO from simulated flue gas into an aqueous solution of acidic sodium chlorite using a bench-scale spraying column. The range of absorption rates measured in this study is between 1.91×10?11 and 9.59×10?10?mol?s?1?cm?2. The range of rate constants measured in this study is between 1.32×107 and 1.21×108?(L?mol?1)1.9?s?1, and the average rate constant is 6.16×107?(L?mol?1)1.9?s?1. The activation energy and frequency factor are 129 Kcal/mol (53.97 KJ/mol) and 6.93×1016?[(L/mol)1.9/s], respectively.     

Thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: Preparation,mechanical properties,thermal properties,and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness

This study uses the solution mixing method to combine plasticized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a matrix, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reinforcement to form PVA/MWCNTs films. The films are then laminated and hot pressed to create PVA/MWCNTs composites. The control group of PVA/MWCNTs composites is made by incorporating the melt compounding method. Diverse properties of PVA/MWCNTs composites are then evaluated. For the experimental group, the incorporation of MWCNTs improves the glass transition temperature (T_g), crystallization temperature, T_c), and thermal stability of the composites. In addition, the test results indicate that composites containing 1.5 wt % of MWCNTs have the maximum tensile strength of 51.1 MPa, whereas composites containing 2 wt % MWCNTs have the optimal electrical conductivity of 2.4 S/cm, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of ?31.41 dB. This study proves that the solution mixing method outperforms the melt compounding method in terms of mechanical properties, dispersion, melting and crystallization behaviors, thermal stability, and EMI SE. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43474.     

Agronomic evaluation of fertilizer products derived from Sukulu Hills phosphate rock

Partial acidulation of phosphate rock (PR) or compaction of PR with soluble P fertilizers can improve the usefulness of unreactive PR for use as P fertilizer. A greenhouse study was conducted to evaluate nonconventional phosphate fertilizers derived from a low reactive Sukulu Hills PR from Uganda. Raw PR (which contained 341.0 g kg^–1 Fe₂O₃), beneficiated or concentrate PR, partially acidulated PR (PAPR) and PR compacted with triple superphosphate (TSP) were evaluated. Compacted materials had a P ratio of PR:TSP = 50:50. PAPR materials were made by 50% acidulation with H₂SO₄. TSP was used as a reference fertilizer. Fertilizers were applied to an acidic (pH = 5.4) Hiwassee loam (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic Rhodic Kanhapludults) at rates of 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg P kg^–1 soil. Two successive corn (Zea mays L.) crops were grown for 6 weeks. Compacted concentrate PR + TSP and raw PR + TSP were 94.4 and 89.7% as effective as TSP, respectively, in increasing dry-matter yields for the first corn crop. PAPR from the concentrate was 54.8% as effective as TSP. Raw PR, concentrate PR and the PAPR from the raw PR were ineffective in increasing dry-matter yields. The same trends were obtained when P uptake was used to compare effectiveness. Ineffectiveness of the raw PR and its corresponding PAPR was attributed to a high Fe₂O₃ content in the raw PR. Bray I and Pi paper were found to be nearly equally suitable at estimating available P in the soils treated with responsive fertilizer materials. Mehlich 1 overestimated available P in soil treated with raw PR, concentrate PR or the PAPR from the raw PR.     

Influence of the characteristics of a water-in-CO2 microemulsion on the separation of metal species

In this study, AOT [sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate] combined with fluorinated cosurfactant or alcohol was used to form a water-in-CO₂ (W/C) microemulsion. The amount of water uptake in the microemulsion was closely related to the PFPE-PO₄/AOT (P/A) ratio. The stability of the microemulsion decreased with the amount of water. Lower temperature and higher pressure stabilize W/C microemulsions. The extraction efficiencies of metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn), when this W/C microemulsion method was used, exceeded 90% (AOT + octanol). The efficiencies for the extraction of Eu, La, and Sr could exceed 94% (AOT + PFPE-PO₄) in sc-CO_2.