n-3 Fatty Acid Distribution of Commercial Fish Species Components

For application of n-3 fatty acids, distribution of the fatty acid compositions of different parts of (head, tail, fins and skin = HTFS, liver, viscera and muscle tissue) five commercially important fish species from the Persian Gulf (Scomberomorus commersoni, Thunnus tonggol, Euthynnus affinis, Scomberomorus guttatus and Dussumieria acuta) as good sources of n-3 PUFA were studied. The richest source of n-3 were HTFS in S. guttatus and S. commersoni, liver in S. guttatus, total body of D. acuta, liver of E. affinis and T. tonggol, followed by viscera of E. affinis. The content of these fatty acids were the same in viscera of tonggol, liver of S. commersoni, and HTFS of E. affinis. Moreover, muscle of E. affinis and HTFS of T. tonggol and also muscle of S. guttatus and T. tonggol had the same n-3 contents as the viscera of S. commersoni. So, it was concluded that HTFS and viscera (which are discarded as residues) are as useful as muscle and liver and can be a source of economically available n-3 PUFA. Muscle had the lowest proportion of n-3 in E. affinis, T. tonggol, and S. guttatus in comparison with other organs of these fish species. The highest n-3:n-6 ratio was observed in D. acuta. Finally, the cluster analysis showed that with respect to n-3 and other PUFA contents, HTFS of S. commersoni and D. acuta with S. guttatus on the one hand, and HTFS of T. tonggol and E. affinis on the other hand were similar to each other. In addition, viscera of S. commersoni and S. guttatus were similar followed by T. tonggol and different from E. affinis and D. acuta. In the case of muscle, T. tonggol and S. guttatus had good similarity followed by E. affinis and had no significant similarity with S. commersoni and D. acuta. With regard to liver, the highest similarity was observed between T. tonggol and E. affinis followed by D. acuta and S. guttatus, while S. commersoni did not show similarity with the others.     

The Conserved and Specific Roles of the LUX ARRHYTHMO in Circadian Clock and Nodulation

LUX ARRHYTHMO (LUX) plays a key role in circadian rhythms and flowering. Here, we identified the MtLUX gene which is the putative ortholog of LUX in Medicago truncatula. The roles of MtLUX, in both the nodulation belowground and leaf movement aboveground, were investigated by characterizing a loss-of-function mtlux mutant. MtLUX was required for the control of flowering time under both long-day and short-day conditions. Further investigations showed that the early flowering in the mtlux mutant was correlated with the elevated expression level of the MtFTa1 gene but in a CO-like independent manner. MtLUX played a conserved role in the regulatory interactions with MtLHY, MtTOC1, and MtPRR genes, which is similar to those in other species. Meanwhile, the unexpected functions of MtLUX were revealed in nodule formation and nyctinastic leaf movement, probably through the indirect regulation in MtLHY. Its participation in nodulation is of interest in the context of functional conservation and the neo-functionalization of the products of LUX orthologs.     

Biosynthesis and PBAN-Regulated Transport of Pheromone Polyenes in the Winter Moth, Operophtera brumata

The trienoic and tetraenoic polyenes, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-henicosatriene, and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-henicosatetraene were found in the abdominal cuticle and pheromone gland of the winter moth Operophtera brumata L. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), in addition to the previously identified single component sex pheromone (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene. The pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) is involved in the regulation of polyene transport from abdominal cuticle to the pheromone gland. In vivo deuterium labeling experiments showed that (11Z,14Z,17Z)-11,14,17-icosatrienoic acid, the malonate elongation product of linolenic acid, (9Z,12Z,15Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, is used to produce (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene.     

Interrelationships between coal compositional parameters

Analytical data from a set of 66 coal samples, ranging in rank from lignitic to low-volatile bituminous, were used to define relationships between coal properties. Unusual care was taken in selecting, collecting, preparing and analysing this set of premium samples providing a high degree of confidence in the conclusions obtained. It was found that univariate relationships between properties, which might seem to convey useful information, are generally of limited operational value and can lead to erroneous conclusions. However, multivariate correlations can predict a number of properties. Specific energy, volatile matter yield, and density (by helium pycnometry) can be estimated from the elemental composition according to the following expressions: Btulb⁻¹ = 145.9%C + 569.6%H − 53.89%O + 43.08%S − 6.3%Ash%VM = −0.408%C + 11.25%H + %O + 1.3%Sgml⁻¹ = 0.01556%C − 0.04117%H + 0.02247%O + 0.02049%S + 0.0208%Ash The standard deviations of the residuals (estimated-experimental) for the above three correlations are 86 Btu lb⁻¹, 1.5% VM and 0.013 g ml⁻¹. The free-swelling index was found to correlate strongly with the oxygen content (for coals containing > 2 wt% oxygen, daf) and the petrographic composition according to the following expression: FSI = 5 + 4.68f(O) − 0.00395NPC² + 0.0897NPC − 0.06LIP where f(O) = sin(0.2513O_daf + 0.9505)NPC = ashweight% + inertinite, volume% mineral-freeLIP = liptinite, volume%, mineral-free It is concluded that the elemental composition of coal can predict many physical properties and process responses. The petrographic composition must be considered when predicting plastic properties. Though petrographic composition influences other properties and process responses, microscopically obtained maceral percentages did not prove useful for quantitatively predicting properties or responses.     

Temperature- and frequency-dependent hysteresis scaling behaviour and phase transitions in a [001]c 0.73Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.27PbTiO3 single crystal

The dielectric properties and bipolar polarization-electric field (P-E) and strain-electric field (S-E) dynamic hysteresis of a relaxor [001]_c 0.73Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.27PbTiO₃ (PMN-0.27PT) single crystal were investigated to reveal more details of the temperature-induced phase transitions. Different linear scaling relations for ferroelectric hysteresis area <A>, coercive field E_c, saturation polarization P_s and remnant polarization P_r versus temperature τ were measured in different temperature regions. For each measurement frequency f, all hysteresis parameters were found to decrease linearly with temperature in the temperature range of the single rhombohedral (R) phase or tetragonal (T) phase, and the rate of decrease in the T phase was observed to be much larger than the corresponding rate in the R phase. In the temperature range near the R-T phase transition, the exponent α in the power law <A>∝f ^α for the R phase was found to be smaller than that for the T phase, and the magnitude of α depended strongly on temperature when the crystal was in the R-T coexisting phase state. Our experimental and theoretical results indicate that the difference in the activation energy and dipole moment in the R and T phases may lead to the observed discrepancy for the P-E and S-E hysteresis behaviour in different temperature regions.     

Intra- and Interspecific Activities of Semiochemicals from the Sex Pheromone Gland of the Welsh Clearwing, Synanthedon Scoliaeformis

Analysis of the sex pheromone gland of virgin Synanthedon scoliaeformis females by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealed six compounds structurally related to sex pheromone components of other clearwing moths: (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienyl acetate (E2,Z13-18:OAc), (E,Z)-2,13-octadecadienol, octadecanol acetate, octadecanol, (Z,Z)-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate (Z3,Z13-18:OAc), and (Z)-13-octadecenyl acetate. Trapping tests demonstrated that E2,Z13-18:OAc is the sex pheromone of S. scoliaeformis and is essential for attracting males; addition of the other compounds did not enhance catch. Synanthedon scoliaeformis and S. tipuliformis are the only Palearctic clearwing moths whose distribution range and seasonal flight periods overlap and that are known to use E2,Z13-18:OAc in sex pheromonal communication. Hourly monitoring of male catches in traps revealed that sex pheromone communication in S. scoliaeformis and S. tipuliformis species follows different diurnal patterns. Z3,Z13-18:OAc, found in S. scoliaeformis females, is a known behavioral antagonist against S. tipuliformis males, while (E,Z)-3,13-octadecadienyl acetate, a minor sex pheromone component of S. tipuliformis, is an antagonist against S. scoliaeformis males. The effect of sex pheromones and antagonists, combined with different diurnal mate searching times, contribute to the specificity of sex communication channels in these two clearwing moth species.     

Catalytic activity of potassium halides in water vapour gasification of graphite

The catalytic activity of potassium halides in water vapour gasification of graphite was studied at 900 ° C and pressures up to 2 MPa. The initial step is the hydrolysis of the potassium halide which controls the catalytic activity: KF >KCl >KBr. Main steps of the catalysed gasification reaction are in good agreement with an oxygen transfer mechanism. The following general reaction scheme is proposed not only for the potassium halides, but also for K₂CO₃ and KNO₃. Initial reactions: K₂CO₃ + H₂O → 2KOH + CO₂; KNO₃ + H₂O → KOH + NO_x; KX + H₂O → KOH + HX. Intermediate step: KOH + C, H₂ → K + CO, H₂O. K-catalysed gasification reactions: K + H₂O → K(O) + H₂; K(O) + C → K + CO; K(O) + CO → K + CO₂.     

Mathematical models for kinetics of batchwise hydrogenation of shale oil

Hydrogenation of shale oil in a batch autoclave is described by a second order kinetic equation depending on the hydrogen current concentration (H) and on the current value of a total characteristic of the oil (x_i), both approaching to their equilibrium levels (H_∞, x_i∞). Algorithms are proposed to estimate the values of hydrogenation rate coefficient (k) and H_∞ from the plot of decrease in hydrogen concentration in time versus H at isothermal conditions. A new concept “specific change of the characteristic” (β_i = dx_i / dH) is introduced to handle various x_i (oil yield, viscosity, density, iodine number, and yield of the fraction 200–275 °C).The equilibrium constants (K_i) and β_i for the characteristics are estimated on the basis of experimental results. The temperature-dependencies for k, K_i and β_i are determined. A scheme is proposed to predict current values of H and x_i for different H₀, T_max and oil mass under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions.The model deduced and the coefficients and constants found can be applied for quantitative evaluation of catalysts and initial oils for hydrogenation.     

Synthesis of isomeric azo disperse dyes of pyridobenzimidazole

Condensation of 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5H-pyran-2,6-dione (1) and 1,2-diaminobenzene (2) gave 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-oxo-1H, 5H-pyrido [1,2-a]benzimidazole (3). When3was coupled with an aryldiazonium salt two isomeric dyes were obtained in equal proportions. These dyes were characterised as 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(arylthydrazono)-1-oxo-1H-pyrido-[1,2-a]benzimidazole (4) and 2-(arylhydrazono)-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-oxo-1H-pyrido[1,2-a]benzimidazole (5) on the basis of spectral data. Their structures were confirmed also by an alternative synthetic route.     

Transversal moving-front patterns: Criteria and simulations for two-bed and cylindrical shell packed-bed reactors

We show that a moving-front solution in a cylindrical shell packed-bed catalyzing a first-order activated reaction may bifurcate into transversal patterns when Pe_C/Pe_T<ΔT_ad/ΔT_m, i.e. when the ratio of the mass to heat Pe numbers is smaller than the ratio of the adiabatic to maximal temperature rises. This coincides with the previous condition of transversal patterns to emerge in stationary fronts [Pe_C/Pe_T<1 [Viswanathan, G., Bindal, A., Khinast, J., Luss, D., 2005. Stationary transversal hot zones in adiabatic packed-bed reactors. A.I.Ch.E. Journal 51, 3028-3038]] and extends the bifurcations condition to the case of moving fronts. The novel condition cannot be satisfied in a downstream propagating front (ΔT_m/ΔT_ad>1), but for an upstream propagating front (toward the cold reactor inlet) ΔT_m/ΔT_ad<1 and the symmetry breaking can be obtained within a feasible domain of operating conditions (Pe_C/Pe_T>1). It was also assumed that the axial and the transversal Pe numbers vary consistently, i.e. κ_C=Pe_C⊥/Pe_C=κ_T=Pe_T⊥/Pe_T. A similar condition was also obtained using a simplified model composed of two 1-D beds with heat and mass exchange between them.Bifurcation diagram showing domains of transversal patterns is constructed using a learning two-bed model. These predictions are verified by direct numerical simulations of the continuous 2-D cylindrical shell model showing various types of moving transversal patterns within a feasible domain of the state parameters with Pe_C>Pe_T. In the case of varying ratio (κ_C≠κ_T) the pattern domain can be significantly extended toward larger Pe_C/Pe_T.     

Stability of non-isothermal flow in channels—I. Temperature dependent Newtonian fluid without heat generation

We study here stability of non-isothermal flow between two closely spaced, heat conducting, parallel flat plates forming a channel of length l, uniform depth h and infinite width. Very viscous fluid enters along x = 0 at temperature t₁?_w the plate temperature. We look for flow nonuniformity caused by coupling between the energy equation, which describes the heat transfer mechanism between fluid and channel walls, and the flow equation which includes the (exponential) temperature dependence of viscosity.The simplified model chosen for the flow assumes similarity profiles for velocity and temperature in the flow direction. The velocities are assumed non-zero in both directions parallel to the bounding plates and negligible in the direction perpendicular to the plates (h ? l). This is analogous to lubrication theory. The governing equations are taken to be

where v is a two-dimensional mean velocity in the (x, y)-plane, p(x,y) is pressure and T(x, y) temperature; H is a thermal transfer coefficient; C and b are rheological parameters of the fluid; p(0,y) and p(l,y) are constant, their difference being the relevant pressure drop.We show first that the system can be described in terms of two dimensionless parameters B = b(T₁?T_w) and Gz = V|Hl, V being the mean velocity, and that for steady flow (independent of y, with v = (V, 0)) a plot of inlet pressure P vs V is multivalued for B sufficiently large.We then investigate the stability of this unidirectional flow to small disturbances of the form fn(x) exp (iλy+ωt), λ real. The resulting eigen-value problem for λ (B, Gz, ω) is solved numerically. Results indicate that a unique neutral stability curve in the plane of (B, Gz) can be obtained for ω = 0. This stability curve indicates that for B < 2·4, flow instability will not be observed for any Gz. A comparison between the multivalued curve in V(P) obtained for a unidirectional solution and the neutral stability curve is also presented.     

Axial mixing and mass transfer investigation in a pulsed packed liquid–liquid extraction column using plug flow and axial dispersion models

In this research work, the volumetric overall mass transfer coefficient based on continuous-phase (K_oca) and axial dispersion coefficients of phases (E_c, E_d) in a pilot Pulsed Packed Liquid Extraction Column (PPLEC) have been studied using plug flow model (PFM) and axial dispersion model (ADM). Experiments have been carried out using standard systems of water/acetone/toluene and water/acetone/n-butyl–acetate. Values of K_oca evaluated by ADM are greater than those of PFM by about 20% indicating that the axial mixing lowers the performance of PPLEC. It was found that the drop-size distribution is the main cause of the axial mixing in PPLEC. Increase in dispersed phase flow rate (Q_d), increases all K_oca, E_d and E_c and the minimum values of both E_d and E_c and the maximum values of K_oca are in pulse intensity ranges of 0.8–1 cm/s. Finally, three empirical correlations are proposed for the prediction of these parameters which are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Molecular Genetics of Conjunctival Melanoma and Prognostic Value of TERT Promoter Mutation Analysis

The aim of this study was exploration of the genetic background of conjunctival melanoma (CM) and correlation with recurrent and metastatic disease. Twenty-eight CM from the Rotterdam Ocular Melanoma Study group were collected and DNA was isolated from the formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tissue. Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed using a panel covering GNAQ, GNA11, EIF1AX, BAP1, BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT, PTEN, SF3B1, and TERT genes. Recurrences and metastasis were present in eight (29%) and nine (32%) CM cases, respectively. TERT promoter mutations were most common (54%), but BRAF (46%), NRAS (21%), BAP1 (18%), PTEN (14%), c-KIT (7%), and SF3B1 (4%) mutations were also observed. No mutations in GNAQ, GNA11, and EIF1AX were found. None of the mutations was significantly associated with recurrent disease. Presence of a TERT promoter mutation was associated with metastatic disease (p-value = 0.008). Based on our molecular findings, CM comprises a separate entity within melanoma, although there are overlapping molecular features with uveal melanoma, such as the presence of BAP1 and SF3B1 mutations. This warrants careful interpretation of molecular data, in the light of clinical findings. About three quarter of CM contain drug-targetable mutations, and TERT promoter mutations are correlated to metastatic disease in CM.     

Corrosion of stepwise dissolving metals; corrosion mechanism of indium

The corrosion of a metal dissolving stepwise with formation of low-valency intermediates and Mⁿ⁺ ion as the final corrosion product proceeds by a complex electrochemical-chemical mechanism comprising following steps: M → M⁺ + e; M⁺ → Mⁿ⁺ + (n ? 1)O_x → Mⁿ + )n ? 1)O^?_x and O_x + e → O^?_x. A criterion of such a corrosion mechanism is the deviation of the experimental corrosion rate (i_c) from the reduction rate of oxidant O_x at the corrosion potential (i^extr._c) found by extrapolation. Cathodic polarization curves on indium have been measured and its corrosion rate has been determined by a radiotracer method in aqueous NaClO₄ + HClO₄ solutions of varying acidity. i_c is considerably higher than i^extr., the ratio i_c/i^extr._c approaching 3 with increasing acidity. In the same solutions containing O·M NaCl i_c = i^extr._c independent of acidity.     

Floc rupture and turbulence: a framework for analysis

The paper focuses on the physical character of flocs. This is developed through analysis of the impact of hydrodynamic stress on floc size. Theory is developed on the basis of an energy criterion which balances the turbulent kinetic energy against the energy expenditure associated with rupture. For turbulence, the kinetic energy per unit volume is moulded by the velocity scale (νε)^1/4 and the d/η ratio in which ν, ε, η refer to the kinematic viscosity, the rate of energy dissipation per unit mass and the Kolmogorov length, respectively. The distance scale, d, is equivalent to the maximum floc size. In its most rudimentary form, floc structure is based on the model S∝k?/d³ in which k is the number of bonds broken and ? the potential energy expenditure per bond broken. With appropriate development, this transforms to S=S₀(d/d₀)^D−3 in which d₀ is the primary particle size, D the fractal dimension, and S₀ is a scaling factor controlling the mechanical strength. From the energy criterion, analytical expressions are derived for d in the form d=γε^−m/2 in which γ and m are constants. Beside the proposal of models for S, a valuable advance is the development of rupture theory for the whole domain of d/η. Theory is examined using a number of published data sets in which there exists knowledge of parameters γ, m and D. The paper demonstrates how the model can be used as an analytical tool for dissecting the factors which control S₀. The theory establishes a framework which can be developed further, and applies to flows containing fractal aggregates in both industry and the natural environment.     

Synthesis of (ABCB)n type ternary amphiphilic multiblock copolymer via poly(ethylene oxide) macro-chain transfer agent

A novel (ABCB)_n type ternary amphiphilic multiblock copolymer was synthesized by stepwise insertion of monomers into the trithiocarbonate-embedded poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) macro-chain transfer agent (PEO-CTA)_n. (PEO-CTA)_n was synthesized first by coupling of α,ω-dihydroxyl PEO with dicarboxylic trithiocarbonate, then styrene (St) and t-butyl acrylate (^tBA) were inserted into the (PEO-CTA)_n successively to yield (PEO-b-PS)_n and (PEO-b-PS-b-P^tBA-b-PS)_n, respectively. After hydrolysis of the (PEO-b-PS-b-P^tBA-b-PS)_n, the final product (PEO-b-PS-b-PAA-b-PS)_n was obtained.     

MIR29A Impedes Metastatic Behaviors in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Targeting LOX,LOXL2, and VEGFA

Primary liver cancer accounts for the third most deadly type of malignant tumor globally, and approximately 80% of the cases are hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which highly relies on the activity of hypoxia responsive pathways to bolster its metastatic behaviors. MicroRNA-29a (MIR29A) has been shown to exert a hepatoprotective effect on hepatocellular damage and liver fibrosis induced by cholestasis and diet stress, while its clinical and biological role on the activity hypoxia responsive genes including LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA remains unclear. TCGA datasets were retrieved to confirm the differential expression and prognostic significance of all genes in the HCC and normal tissue. The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset was used to corroborate the differential expression and diagnostic value of MIR29A. The bioinformatic identification were conducted to examine the interaction of MIR29A with LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA. The suppressive activity of MIR29A on LOX, LOXL2, and VEGF was verified by qPCR, immunoblotting, and luciferase. The effect of overexpression of MIR29A-3p mimics in vitro on apoptosis markers (caspase-9, -3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)); cell viability and wound healing performance were examined using immunoblot and a WST-1 assay and a wound healing assay, respectively. The HCC tissue presented low expression of MIR29A, yet high expression of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA as compared to normal control. Serum MIR29A of HCC patients showed decreased levels as compared to that of normal control, with an area under curve (AUC) of 0.751 of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Low expression of MIR29A and high expression of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA indicated poor overall survival (OS). MIR29A-3p was shown to target the 3′UTR of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA. Overexpression of MIR29A-3p mimic in HepG2 cells led to downregulated gene and protein expression levels of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA, wherein luciferase reporter assay confirmed that MIR29A-3p exerts the inhibitory activity via directly binding to the 3′UTR of LOX and VEGFA. Furthermore, overexpression of MIR29A-3p mimic induced the activity of caspase-9 and -3 and PARP, while it inhibited the cell viability and wound healing performance. Collectively, this study provides novel insight into a clinical-applicable panel consisting of MIR29, LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA and demonstrates an anti-HCC effect of MIR29A via comprehensively suppressing the expression of LOX, LOXL2, and VEGFA, paving the way to a prospective theragnostic approach for HCC.