Energy and spectral dynamics in decaying compressible turbulence

The statistical properties of decaying compressible turbulence are investigated by direct numerical simulations of flow in a periodic cube. Starting with fully developed turbulence for various microscale Reynolds numbersR , rms Mach numbersM, and small- and large-scale compressive ratiosr _CS andr _CL , we find that the kinetic energy exhibits an exponential decay in time. Interactions between the compressive and rotational components of kinetic energy are weaker than self-interactions of the respective components. The energy spectrum of rotational component obeys the same Kolmogorov similarity law as for incompressible turbulence and forced compressible turbulence. The form of the energy spectrum of the compressive component, on the other hand, depends strongly onM. As the turbulence decays freely,R andM decrease in time butr _CS andr _CL tend to some universal values.     

A model for the compressive buckling of extended chain polymers

A model for the compressive buckling of an extended polymer chain is presented. The application of classical elastic instability analysis to an idealized polymer chain reveals that the bending rigidity and critical buckling loads for a chain are proportional to the force constants for valence bond angle bending and torsion. Highly oriented polymer fibres are treated as a collection of elastic chains that interact laterally. The critical stresses to buckle this collection of chains are calculated following a procedure developed to predict the compressive strengths of fibre-reinforced composites. This buckling stress is predicted to be equal to the shear modulus of the fibres and is the limiting value of compressive strength. Comparison of experimental and predicted values shows that the theory overestimates the compressive strength, but that there is a correlation of shear modulus with axial compressive strength. Consideration of flaws in both the theory and the material indicate that the compressive strength should be proportional to either the shear modulus or shear strength of the fibres.Nomenclature P axial compressive load (force) - P _cr critical buckling load (force) - M,M _i bending moments - l length of a link - p number of links - k elastic hinge constant - , _i angular rotation of hinges - L overall chain or column length - v,v _i lateral deflection of buckled chain or column - x, y, z Cartesian coordinate axes - E Young's modulus of isotropic column - I moment of inertia - a _ij matrix coefficients - A _p coefficient for exact buckling loads of chains - T energy change due to work of external load on buckled column or chain - U ₁ bending strain energy change of buckled column or chain - U ₂, U ₂ ^e , U ₂ ^s strain energy changes in elastic foundation, where e refers to extension mode buckling and s refers to shear mode buckling - E _t transverse modulus - G longitudinal shear modulus - b dimension associated with chain packing - A cross-sectional area per chain (=b ²) - f(x) curve fitted to shape of buckled chain - m,n,r integers - a _n coefficients of trigonometric series - _y normal strain iny-direction - _y normal stress iny-direction - xy shear strain inxy plane - xy shear stress inxy plane - u _x displacement inx-direction - u _y displacement iny-direction - V volume     

Mutant p53 Mediates Sensitivity to Cancer Treatment Agents in Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma Associated with MicroRNA and SLC7A11 Expression

TP53 gene mutations occur in 70% of oesophageal adenocarcinomas (OACs). Given the central role of p53 in controlling cellular response to therapy we investigated the role of mutant (mut-) p53 and SLC7A11 in a CRISPR-mediated JH-EsoAd1 TP53 knockout model. Response to 2 Gy irradiation, cisplatin, 5-FU, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and endoxifen was assessed, followed by a TaqMan OpenArray qPCR screening for differences in miRNA expression. Knockout of mut-p53 resulted in increased chemo- and radioresistance (2 Gy survival fraction: 38% vs. 56%, p < 0.0001) and in altered miRNA expression levels. Target mRNA pathways analyses indicated several potential mechanisms of treatment resistance. SLC7A11 knockdown restored radiosensitivity (2 Gy SF: 46% vs. 73%; p = 0.0239), possibly via enhanced sensitivity to oxidative stress. Pathway analysis of the mRNA targets of differentially expressed miRNAs indicated potential involvement in several pathways associated with apoptosis, ribosomes, and p53 signaling pathways. The data suggest that mut-p53 in JH-EsoAd1, despite being classified as non-functional, has some function related to radio- and chemoresistance. The results also highlight the important role of SLC7A11 in cancer metabolism and redox balance and the influence of p53 on these processes. Inhibition of the SLC7A11-glutathione axis may represent a promising approach to overcome resistance associated with mut-p53.     

The Potential Role of Small-Molecule PERK Inhibitor LDN-0060609 in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Treatment

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) constitutes the most common type of glaucoma. Emerging evidence suggests that Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress and the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-mediated Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) signaling pathway play a key role in POAG pathogenesis. Thus, the main aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PERK inhibitor LDN-0060609 in cellular model of glaucoma using primary human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells. To evaluate the level of the ER stress marker proteins, Western blotting and TaqMan gene expression assay were used. The cytotoxicity was measured by XTT, LDH assays and Giemsa staining, whereas genotoxicity via comet assay. Changes in cell morphology were assessed by phase-contrast microscopy. Analysis of apoptosis was performed by caspase-3 assay and flow cytometry (FC), whereas cell cycle progression by FC. The results obtained have demonstrated that LDN-0060609 triggered a significant decrease of ER stress marker proteins within HTM cells with induced ER stress conditions. Moreover, LDN-0060609 effectively increased viability, reduced DNA damage, increased proliferation, restored normal morphology, reduced apoptosis and restored normal cell cycle distribution of HTM cells with induced ER stress conditions. Thereby, PERK inhibitors, such as LDN-0060609, may provide an innovative, ground-breaking treatment strategy against POAG.     

Structural and transport effects of doping perfluorosulfonic acid polymers with the heteropoly acids, H3PW12O40 or H4SiW12O40

A perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) polymer with pendant side chain -O(CF₂)₄SO₃H was doped with the heteropoly acids (HPAs), H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ and H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀. Infrared spectroscopy revealed a strong interaction between the HPA and the PFSA ionomer. Modes associated with the peripheral bonds of the HPA were shifted to lower wave numbers when doped into PFSA membranes. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements showed the presence of large crystallites of HPA in the membrane with d spacings of ca. 10 Å, close to the lattice spacing observed in bulk HPA crystals. Under wet conditions the HPA was more dispersed and constrained the size of the sulfonic acid clusters to 20 Å at a 5 wt% HPA doping level, the same as in the vacuum treated ionomer samples. Under conditions of minimum hydration the HPA decreased the E_a for the self-diffusion of water from 27 to 15 kJ mol⁻¹. The reverse trend was seen under 100% RH conditions. Proton conductivity measurements showed improved proton conductivity of the HPA doped PFSAs at a constant dew point of 80 °C for all temperatures up to 120 °C and at all relative hummidities up to 80%. The activation energy for proton conduction generally was lower than for the undoped materials at RH ≤80%. Significantly the E_a was 1/2 that of the undoped material at RHs of 40 and 60%. A practical proton conductivity of 113 mS cm⁻¹ was observed at 100 °C and 80% RH.     

Quantitation of volatile compounds in heated triolein by static headspace capillary gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy-mass spectrometry

Static headspace and capillary gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy-mass spectrometry were used to collect, separate, identify and quantitate the oxidative and thermal decomposition products in heated triolein. Approximately 4 L of triolein was heated in a deep-fat fryer at 190°C for 12 h each day for a total of 60 h, until it contained>-20% polymeric material. The concentration of heptane and octane increased after 12 h heating, then decreased upon further heating, while the concentration of volatile aldehydes decreased gradually during heating. After 12 h of heating, the concentrations of the major volatiles changed as follows: heptane (16.36 to 30.17 ppm), octane (24.48 to 40.77 ppm), heptanal (21.68 ppm to 9.11 ppm), octanal (35.53 to 36.64 ppm), nonanal (68.95 to 43.16 ppm), (E)-2-decenal (135.00 to 89.00 ppm) and (E)-2-undecenal (88.50 to 61.00 ppm). After 60 h of heating, when the oil contained over 20% polymeric material, the concentrations of heptane, octane, heptanal, octanol, nonanal, (E)-2-decenal and (E)-2-undecenal were 5.16, 4.39, 5.45, 7.02, 18.07, 12.50 and 6.00 ppm, respectively.     

Molybdenum Oxycarbide and Tungsten Oxycarbide Coatings on Silicon Carbide Fibers

The strength and toughness of fibrous composites depend on the interface properties which control the bonding between the fibers and matrices. One method of controlling the interface involves coating the fiber with an appropriate material. In a previous study, it was found that there is a definite advantage in using low coating temperatures to prevent fibers from degrading. We therefore were interested in a report that Mo₂C could be deposited from Mo(CO)₆ at temperatures as low as 300° to 475°C. Our studies indicated that the material was not Mo₂C, but an oxycarbide, which, with an analogous tungsten oxycarbide coating, was applied to SiC yarns. Both oxycarbides could be converted to the metals by heat-treating in N₂.     

Reaction kinetics modeling and thermal properties of epoxy–amines as measured by modulated‐temperature DSC. II. Network‐forming DGEBA + MDA

Reaction‐induced vitrification takes place in the network‐forming epoxy–amine system diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) + methylenedianiline (MDA) when the glass‐transition temperature (T_g) rises above the cure temperature (T_cure). This chemorheological transition results in diffusion‐controlled reaction and can be followed simultaneously with the reaction rate in modulated‐temperature DSC (MTDSC). To predict the effect of T_cure and the NH/epoxy molar mixing ratio (r) on the reaction rate in chemically controlled conditions, a mechanistic approach was used based on the nonreversing heat flow and heat capacity MTDSC signals, in which the reaction steps of primary (E_1OH = 44 kJ mol^?1) and secondary amine (E_2OH = 48 kJ mol^?1) with the epoxy–hydroxyl complex predominating. The diffusion factor DF as defined by the Rabinowitch approach expresses whether the chemical reaction rate or the diffusion rate determines the overall reaction rate. A model based on the free volume theory together with an Arrhenius temperature dependency was used to calculate the diffusion rate constant in DF as a function of conversion (x) and T_cure. The relation between x, r, and T_g, needed in this model, can be predicted with the Couchman equation. An experimental approximation for DF is the mobility factor DF* obtained from the heat capacity signal at a modulation frequency of 1/60 Hz, normalized for the effect of the reaction heat capacity in the liquid state and the change in C_p in the glassy region with x and T_cure. In this way, an optimized set of diffusion parameters was obtained that, together with the optimized kinetic parameters set, can predict the reaction rate for different cure schedules and for stoichiometric and off‐stoichiometric mixtures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 91: 2814–2833, 2004