Loss of SDHB Induces a Metabolic Switch in the hPheo1 Cell Line toward Enhanced OXPHOS

Background: Enzymes of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) have recently been recognized as tumor suppressors. Mutations in the SDHB subunit of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) cause pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PCCs/PGLs) and predispose patients to malignant disease with poor prognosis. Methods: Using the human pheochromocytoma cell line (hPheo1), we knocked down SDHB gene expression using CRISPR-cas9 technology. Results: Microarray gene expression analysis showed that >500 differentially expressed gene targets, about 54%, were upregulated in response to SDHB knock down. Notably, genes involved in glycolysis, hypoxia, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation were up regulated, whereas genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were downregulated. In vitro studies show that hPheo1 proliferation is not affected negatively and the cells that survive by shifting their metabolism to the use of glutamine as an alternative energy source and promote OXPHOS activity. Knock down of SDHB expression results in a significant increase in GLUD1 expression in hPheo1 cells cultured as monolayer or as 3D culture. Analysis of TCGA data confirms the enhancement of GLUD1 in SDHB mutated/low expressed PCCs/PGLs. Conclusions: Our data suggest that the downregulation of SDHB in PCCs/PGLs results in increased GLUD1 expression and may represent a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in SDHB mutated tumors and SDHB loss of activity-dependent diseases.     

Dynamic analysis and split range control for maximization of operating range of continuous microbial fuel cell

Human development is inherently connected with availability of water and energy. Energy production requires water, whereas water treatment needs energy. On the other hand, microbial fuel cell has capability to produce energy and water simultaneously from waste water or organic matter. In this paper, first principle-based model of variable volume microbial fuel cell is simulated. Hydraulic retention time is selected as the manipulated variable using the study of steady state and dynamic responses. Classical PI and model predictive control strategies are developed for controlling the produced power from the cell, and its performance is tested for servo problem. Settling time for positive and negative set points is found to be 126 and 889 h in case of classical PI and 120 and 750 h in case of linear MPC, respectively along with large increase (three times order of magnitude) in working volume for negative set point. These control challenges are overcome by using split range controller with variable and constant volume microbial fuel cells. The settling time for negative set point is found to be 49 and 21 h for classical PI and linear MPC schemes, respectively, which is significantly lower than using only variable volume microbial fuel cell. Also, there is no increase in the working volume of the constant volume microbial fuel cell. Hence, operating range of the microbial fuel cell is enhanced using split range controller.     

Effective solar power harnessing using a few novel solar tree designs and their performance assessment

Solar irradiance being considered as one of the most important alternative sources of energy can be harnessed in the form of electrical power using photovoltaic panels erected under the sun. Optimum conversion of power from solar panels can be obtained by using Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT), which involves continuously adjusting the angle of panels according to the change in the angle of falling irradiance. These trackers, however, use some amount of power for operation of MPPT equipment. Various techniques for arranging the solar panels in three dimensions have been suggested for optimizing the output power from them. The inspiration behind arranging the panels are often drawn from the natural trees where the branches and the leaves follow a particular pattern called phyllotaxy which is directly analogous to the Fibonacci number and Golden ratio. In this research work, the power output from two solar tree models based on 3/8 and 2/5 phyllotaxy pattern and solar conventional panel compared under similar irradiance conditions. There are so many phyllotaxy patterns like 1/3, 2/5, 3/8, etc. When the solar panels aligned in different phyllotaxies, then the orientation direction of solar panels are distinct. Each solar panel connected in solar trees is in a different direction, so that they received the maximum amount of sunlight throughout the day as compared to conventional panels which is oriented unidirectional.     

Accounting for the uncertainties in the estimation of average shear wave velocity using V S– N correlations

Site-specific seismic hazard analysis is crucial for designing earthquake resistance structures, particularly in seismically active regions. Shear wave velocity ( V _S) is a key parameter in such analysis, although the economy and other factors restrict its direct field measurement in many cases. Various V _S–SPT– N correlations are routinely incorporated in seismic hazard analysis to estimate the value of V _S. However, many uncertainties question the reliability of these estimated V _S values. This paper comes up with a statistical approach to take care of such uncertainties involved in V _S calculations. The measured SPT– N values from all the critical boreholes were converted into statistical parameters and passed through various correlations to estimate V _S at different depths. The effect of different soil layers in the boreholes on the Vs estimation was also taken into account. Further, the average shear wave velocity of the top 30 m soil cover ( V _S30) is estimated after accounting for various epistemic and aleatoric uncertainties. The scattering nature of the V _S values estimated using different V _S– N correlations was reduced significantly with the application of the methodology. Study results further clearly demonstrated the potential of the approach to eliminate various uncertainties involved in the estimation of V _S30 using general and soil-specific correlations.     

Efficacy of an advanced sewage treatment plant in southeast Queensland, Australia, to remove estrogenic chemicals

The estrogenicity profile of domestic sewage during treatment at a medium-sized (3800 EP) advanced biological nutrient removal plant in Queensland, Australia, was characterized using a sheep estrogen receptor binding assay (ERBA) and the MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation assay (E-Screen). The raw influent was highly estrogenic (20-54 ng/L EEq), and primary treatment resulted in a slight increase in estrogenicity that was detected in one of the assays (6-80 ng/L). Concurrent chemical analysis suggested that most of the estrogenicity in the influent was due to natural hormones (>48%). Secondary activated sludge treatment followed by nitrification/denitrification effectively removed > 95% of the estrogenic activity (to <0.75-2.6 ng/L), and estrogenicity of the final tertiary-treated effluent was below the detection limit of both assays (<0.75 ng/L).     

Quality of mango fruits during storage: effect of synthetic and eco‐friendly films

Mango (Mangifera indica) cv ‘Alphonso’ fruits, harvested 40–50 days after flowering, were stored at 27 ± 1 °C and 65% RH under three conditions of packaging: (1) perforated plastic boxes, (2) wax lined cartons sealed with low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) film, and (3) wax lined cartons sealed with chitosan films. The weight loss, firmness, Hunter colour values and acidity were determined periodically during storage. Sensory analysis was carried out to determine colour, firmness, flavour qualities and also defective spots. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the results indicated that fruits stored in perforated plastic boxes and LDPE film‐sealed cartons differed significantly with respect to mango flavour, firmness and development of defective spots, while those in chitosan film sealed cartons retained the desirable qualities for a longer period (up to 20 days) without developing defective spots. The higher level of carbon dioxide and lower level of oxygen, or lower rate of oxygen transmission, associated with chitosan films delay ripening, and the higher water vapour transmission rate minimizes the rate of transpiration and prevents condensation of water droplets on the film. This helps in establishing equilibrium moisture content of mangoes in the cartons, which, in turn, extends the shelf life of fruits for a longer period. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Oriented crystallization in fiber formation: Inferences from the structure and properties of melt spun syndiotactic polypropylene filaments

In processes, such as melt spinning, the crystallization behavior of syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) is found to be substantially different from that of most other linear polymers. The anisotropic stress field in such processes leads invariably to extension as well as alignment (orientation) of the chains in the melt, both of which contribute usually to dramatic enhancement in the rate of crystallization. However, since the primary structure of the sPP chain in its most preferred crystal form is comprised of a “coiled helical,” ? (T₂G₂)₂? , sequence, stress‐induced chain extension can lead to conformational sequences that are not favorable for crystallization in this form. As a consequence, process conditions that generate higher stress levels can cause a diminution in the rate of crystallization of this polymer. Such conformation‐related aspects of oriented crystallization of sPP have been addressed through an analysis of the structure and properties of melt‐spun fibers, produced over a range of spinning speeds. The results serve to identify a refinement that is needed in current models of oriented crystallization and also a mechanism to promote the nucleation of crystallization of sPP. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 2305–2317, 2001     

Effect of particle size of magnesium silicate filler on physical properties of paper

Fillers are essential component of printing papers to increase the opacity, brightness, and to improve formation and printing properties. As a very little work has been reported so far on magnesium silicate (talc), the study was conducted with the filler of different particle size for papermaking. The sheets were made in the laboratory with refined mixed hardwood chemical pulp with five grades of talc, ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) fillers with 15–24% ash level. Apparent density along with tensile, burst, tear index, Z‐direction tensile strength (ZDTS) and bending stiffness index were evaluated for talc filled sheets, and compared with GCC and PCC. Physical strength properties of talc filled sheets were decreased at a faster rate on increasing filler loading in paper and decreasing the particle size of the filler. With same type of filler its particle size determines the physical properties of paper. The postulate was not found to be valid for all the three varieties of fillers viz., talc, PCC and GCC. Shape and geometry of the PCC and GCC fillers determine the individual property. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering