κ-Opioid Signaling in the Lateral Hypothalamic Area Modulates Nicotine-Induced Negative Energy Balance

Several studies have reported that nicotine, the main bioactive component of tobacco, exerts a marked negative energy balance. Apart from its anorectic action, nicotine also modulates energy expenditure, by regulating brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and white adipose tissue (WAT) browning. These effects are mainly controlled at the central level by modulation of hypothalamic neuropeptide systems and energy sensors, such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In this study, we aimed to investigate the kappa opioid receptor (κOR)/dynorphin signaling in the modulation of nicotine’s effects on energy balance. We found that body weight loss after nicotine treatment is associated with a down-regulation of the κOR endogenous ligand dynorphin precursor and with a marked reduction in κOR signaling and the p70 S6 kinase/ribosomal protein S6 (S6K/rpS6) pathway in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). The inhibition of these pathways by nicotine was completely blunted in κOR deficient mice, after central pharmacological blockade of κOR, and in rodents where κOR was genetically knocked down specifically in the LHA. Moreover, κOR-mediated nicotine effects on body weight do not depend on orexin. These data unravel a new central regulatory pathway modulating nicotine’s effects on energy balance.     

Entropy analysis of unsteady MHD three-dimensional flow of Williamson nanofluid over a convectively heated stretching sheet

This article addresses an investigation of the entropy analysis of Williamson nanofluid flow in the presence of gyrotactic microorganisms by considering variable viscosity and thermal conductivity over a convectively heated bidirectionally stretchable surface. Heat and mass transfer phenomena have been incorporated by taking into account the thermal radiation, heat source or sink, viscous dissipation, Brownian motion, and thermophoretic effects. The representing equations are nonlinear coupled partial differential equations and these equations are shaped into a set of ordinary differential equations via a suitable similarity transformation. The arising set of ordinary differential equations was then worked out by adopting a well-known scheme, namely the shooting method along with the Runge-Kutta-Felberge integration technique. The effects of flow and heat transfer controlling parameters on the solution variables are depicted and analyzed through the graphical presentation. The survey finds that magnifying viscosity parameter, Weissenberg number representing the non-Newtonian Williamson parameter cause to retard the velocity field in both the directions and thermal conductivity parameter causes to reduce fluid temperature. The study also recognizes that enhancing magnetic parameters and thermal conductivity parameters slow down the heat transfer rate. The entropy production of the system is estimated through the Bejan number. It is noticeable that the Bejan number is eminently dependent on the heat generation parameter, thermal radiation parameter, viscosity parameter, thermal conductivity parameter, and Biot number. The skillful accomplishment of the present heat and mass transfer system is achieved through the exteriorized choice of the pertinent parameters.     

Impacts of slip and mass transpiration on Newtonian liquid flow over a porous stretching sheet

This article focuses on analytic solutions for Newtonian fluid flow with slip and mass transpiration on a porous stretching sheet using the differential transform method and Pade approximants of an exceptionally nonlinear differential equation. The impacts of different parameters including mass transpiration (suction/injection), Navier's slip, and Darcy number parameters on the velocity of the liquid and tangential stress are discussed. A comprehensive comparison of our results with the previous one in the literature is made, and the results showed good agreement. An investigation is conducted of a combination of magnetic liquids that are conceivably pertinent for wound medicines, skin repair, and astute coatings for natural gadgets. It is found that there is a decrease in the velocity profiles and the boundary layer thickness for the case of suction.     

Numerical investigation of a convective hybrid nanofluids around a rotating sheet

Hybrid nanofluids are formulated with various kinds of base fluids. They are designed to provide good heat transfer performance. They can achieve this by dispersing various kinds of nanoparticles in the base materials. This new technology of formulating hybrid nanofluids has a wide range of applications in various industries such as solar energy, medical equipment, and aerospace. Keeping these applications in view, this study provides an insight into the effects of convective heat transport on a Hybrid nanofluid, across a rotating sheet with a variable heat source. In this investigation, the governing boundary layer partial differential equations were modified into the ordinary differential equations, by using the proper similarity transformations. Later, they were solved numerically, with the support of the Lobatto IIIA technique in MATLAB. The influence of the Richardson number on flow parameters was studied, and it was discovered that increasing Ri increases the velocity while decreasing temperature and concentration profiles. The impact of various other flow parameters on the flow fields and also on the behavior of Nusselt number, coefficient skin friction, and Sherwood number were studied and represented graphically. The outcomes were found to be in excellent accord when compared with quoted studies.     

Revisit the Pitot static tubes in the standards

A Pitot tube is a popular device used for the measurements of flow fields. To control the accuracy of the Pitot tube coefficient, the international standard organization (ISO), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) issued guidelines that recommended the shape and working conditions of these devices. However, many Pitot tubes on the market do not follow these guidelines. In the present study, various types of Pitot tubes in the market were tested at the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) to determine the effects of the geometry and flow characteristics. The results revealed certain limitations in the existing ISO and JIS standards, specifically with regard to the recommended design parameters of the AMCA Pitot tube, the reference coefficient value for the JIS Pitot tube, and the redefinition and limitation of Reynolds numbers pertaining to Pitot tube working conditions.     

Preparation and electrical conductivity of KTaO3-based proton conductor

KTaO₃ and KTa_0.9M_0.1O_3-α (M = Ti, Hf, Zr) were prepared by solid state reaction at 1330 °C for 2 h and characterized by x-ray diffraction. The AC impedance technique was used to analyze the sintered solid electrolytes in 1%H₂/Ar and dry air atmosphere. Among KTa_0.9M_0.1O_3-α (M = Ti, Hf, Zr), KTa_0.9Zr_0.1O_3-α displays the highest conductivity in 1%H₂/Ar atmosphere. The carriers transport numbers of solid electrolytes were measured by concentration cell method. The results show KTa_0.9Zr_0.1O_3-α is a pure proton conductor below 525 °C. Stability tests show that KTa_0.9Zr_0.1O_3-α has good chemical stability against CO₂ and H₂O.     

As the number falls,alternatives to the Hagberg–Perten falling number method: A review

This review examines the application, limitations, and potential alternatives to the Hagberg–Perten falling number (FN) method used in the global wheat industry for detecting the risk of poor end-product quality mainly due to starch degradation by the enzyme α-amylase. By viscometry, the FN test indirectly detects the presence of α-amylase, the primary enzyme that digests starch. Elevated α-amylase results in low FN and damages wheat product quality resulting in cakes that fall, and sticky bread and noodles. Low FN can occur from preharvest sprouting (PHS) and late maturity α-amylase (LMA). Moist or rainy conditions before harvest cause PHS on the mother plant. Continuously cool or fluctuating temperatures during the grain filling stage cause LMA. Due to the expression of additional hydrolytic enzymes, PHS has a stronger negative impact than LMA. Wheat grain with low FN/high α-amylase results in serious losses for farmers, traders, millers, and bakers worldwide. Although blending of low FN grain with sound wheat may be used as a means of moving affected grain through the marketplace, care must be taken to avoid grain lots from falling below contract-specified FN. A large amount of sound wheat can be ruined if mixed with a small amount of sprouted wheat. The FN method is widely employed to detect α-amylase after harvest. However, it has several limitations, including sampling variability, high cost, labor intensiveness, the destructive nature of the test, and an inability to differentiate between LMA and PHS. Faster, cheaper, and more accurate alternatives could improve breeding for resistance to PHS and LMA and could preserve the value of wheat grain by avoiding inadvertent mixing of high- and low-FN grain by enabling testing at more stages of the value stream including at harvest, delivery, transport, storage, and milling. Alternatives to the FN method explored here include the Rapid Visco Analyzer, enzyme assays, immunoassays, near-infrared spectroscopy, and hyperspectral imaging.     

Association of TaD14-4D,a Gene Involved in Strigolactone Signaling,with Yield Contributing Traits in Wheat

Tillering is a crucial agronomic trait of wheat; it determines yield and plant architecture. Strigolactones (SLs) have been reported to inhibit plant branching. D14, a receptor of SLs, has been described to affect tillering in rice, yet it has seldomly been studied in wheat. In this study, three TaD14 homoeologous genes, TaD14-4A, TaD14-4B, and TaD14-4D, were identified. TaD14-4A, TaD14-4B, and TaD14-4D were constitutively expressed, and TaD14-4D had a higher expression level in most tissues. TaD14 proteins were localized in both cytoplasm and nucleus. An SNP and a 22 bp insertion/deletion (Indel) at the exon regions of TaD14-4D were detected, forming three haplotypes, namely 4D-HapI, 4D-HapII, and 4D-HapIII. Due to the frameshift mutation in the coding region of 4D-HapII, the interaction of 4D-HapII with TaMAX2 and TaD53 was blocked, which led to the blocking of SL signal transduction. Based on the two variation sites, two molecular markers, namely dCAPS-250 and Indel-747, were developed. Association analysis suggested that haplotypes of TaD14-4D were associated with effective tillering number (ETN) and thousand kernel weight (TKW) simultaneously in four environments. The favorable haplotype 4D-HapIII underwent positive selection in global wheat breeding. This study provides insights into understanding the function of natural variations of TaD14-4D and develops two useful molecular markers for wheat breeding.     

IκB激酶β在肿瘤中的作用及其抑制剂的研究进展

近年来，IκB激酶β（inhibitor kappa B kinaseβ, IKKβ）在肿瘤发生发展过程中的作用逐渐被发现。IKKβ通过作用多种分子通路参与肿瘤细胞增殖、存活等过程，抑制IKKβ已被确定为治疗癌症有希望的手段。研究人员开发一系列IKKβ抑制剂，发现它们能够有效抑制肿瘤的生长，但目前尚无IKKβ抑制剂投入到临床上治疗癌症。在这篇综述中，我们将介绍IKKβ介导肿瘤发生发展及主要IKKβ抑制剂的研究进展。