The p27Kip1 is a cell cycle repressor protein that regulates primarily the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase and hence the DNA replication is in the S phase and cell division in the M phase. Expression of p27Ki...The p27Kip1 is a cell cycle repressor protein that regulates primarily the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase and hence the DNA replication is in the S phase and cell division in the M phase. Expression of p27Kip1 protein has dual roles for both cancer prevention and promotion. For example, numerous nutritional and chemopreventive anti-cancer agents specifically increase the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. On the other hand, pro-cancer agents (like glucose, insulin and other growth factors frequently seen in obesity and/or diabetes) specifically decrease the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. Unlike expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins, expression of p27Kip1 protein is very unusual. The mRNA of p27Kip1 has a very long and unusual 5’-untranslated region (from -575 to -1 in human). It appears that the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA forms two alternative secondary structures. One increases the expression of p27Kip1 protein when anti-cancer agents are added and another decrease the expression of p27K1p1 when pro-cancer agents are added. For this short concept proposal, Dr. Albert Einstein’s “visualized thought experiments (German: Gedanken experiment)” were used as a fundamental tool for understanding how either anti- or pro-cancer agents bring the primary structure of the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA into two alternative secondary structures, thereby either increasing or decreasing, respectively, the translation initiation of p27Kip1 protein.展开更多
Several significant events of a geological nature occurred approximately 800 ka before the present: (1) Australasian tektite fall (AA), (2) Brunhes-Matuyama geomagnetic reversal (BMR), (3) mid-Pleistocene changes in i...Several significant events of a geological nature occurred approximately 800 ka before the present: (1) Australasian tektite fall (AA), (2) Brunhes-Matuyama geomagnetic reversal (BMR), (3) mid-Pleistocene changes in ice age cycles. Add to these the undated fault system (4) in the South-West (SW) of the South China Sea (SCS). Here we offer a unified cause for all four of these in (5), an impact in the SCS of a large, massive cosmic object, likely a comet, obliquely coming from the SW at an extremely shallow angle, striking the Sunda shelf yet unexploded with the shock of its compressed air bow wave, and causing the continual shelf and slope to collapse, resulting in the fault system (4), then traveling almost tangentially to the surface, exploding at impact with the sea surface, ejecting the tektites (1), creating the formation underlying the later atolls of Spratlies Archipelago (6), Nansha Islands in Chinese, & causing the BMR (2). An explanation of event (3) was Richard Muller’s hypothesis of planet Earth passing through an interplanetary dust cloud periodically due to ecliptic precession. Here we hypothesize this cloud actually is a belt of Australasian tektites ejected into space at super-orbital velocities that Earth encounters about every 100 ka.展开更多
This study presents the effect of excavator model, loading operation location, shift availability and truck-shovel combination on loading cycle time and productivity of an open-pit mine. The loading cycle time was use...This study presents the effect of excavator model, loading operation location, shift availability and truck-shovel combination on loading cycle time and productivity of an open-pit mine. The loading cycle time was used to assess the material loading system performance which is one of the key components of the total cycle time for material transportation in an open-pit mine. Loading is among the components of cycle time during which material is being handled. The data analyzed?was?collected from a computerized dispatch system at GGM from which 62,000 loading dispatches per month involving several shifts, 14 excavators and 49 trucks were loaded. About 4465 dispatches per excavator and 1276 dispatches per truck were assessed using loading cycle time data for each dispatch for a period of four months (between August and December). Under fixed tonnage loaded and waste type (33 t of non-acid forming waste rock),?it was observed that loading cycle time depends on excavator model, location and truck being loaded. Average cycle times, PDFS?and CDFS of loading cycle time series were used to identify differences in performance under different situations. It was concluded that shift availability for excavators, loading location, excavator model and truck-shovel combinations strongly affect the productivity during loading process in an open-pit mine.展开更多
In this paper, the performance of a waste rock transportation process in an open pit mine was assessed by using cycle time data. A computerized truck-excavator dispatch system was used to record the cycle times. The p...In this paper, the performance of a waste rock transportation process in an open pit mine was assessed by using cycle time data. A computerized truck-excavator dispatch system was used to record the cycle times. The process was broken into seven steps (or components of the total cycle), durations of which were recorded for a period of 1 month, leading to N = 60,690 data points or dispatches. The open pit mine studied consisted of 12 waste types loaded by 14 excavators and hauled by 49 trucks (at a trucks-to-excavator ratio of 3.5:1) in 75 changing locations. The string-type data was coded using integers to allow a FORTRAN code to extract process performance parameters using statistical analysis. The study established a wide range of parameters including: the waste material generation rate (about 1.73 million t/month, 81% comprising waste rock), truck fill factor, f, total cycle time (Tct), production capacity, theoretical cycle time, non-productive cycle time Tnp, and cycle time performance ratio (CTPR), denoted as Tpr. The factors affecting the process performance include: truck model, excavator model, location (haul distance and road conditions) and material type. For a fixed material type and tonnage, the PDFs of the cycle time components were logarithmic in nature, capable of differentiating performance variations under different factors. It was concluded that the performance of the waste material transportation system in this mine was determined to be acceptable due to mean value of Tpr = 2.432 being closer to unity. Reduction measures were suggested to minimize the cycle time for the process bottlenecks determined from Pareto analysis (that is, full haul, empty haul and loading processes).展开更多
Modern metropolises are increasingly affected by air quality problems. Transportation is one of the largest sources of several pollutants emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO). Today in the...Modern metropolises are increasingly affected by air quality problems. Transportation is one of the largest sources of several pollutants emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO). Today in the EU, vehicles' emissions are strictly limited by Euro 6 norm-Euro VI for heavy-duty vehicles-which is periodically upgraded. To match such limits, manufacturers are forced in developing new technologies to perform new sustainable vehicles design strategies, such as EVs and HEVs. Present work's aim is to provide the design of series-hybrid urban transportation bus, equipped with a novel thermal power unit, namely a small gas turbine, to exploit its cleaner combustion process in comparison with an ICE. The control logic is described, while the main drivetrain components are chosen, and suitable models from suppliers are selected as well. Then, some simulations of the resulting vehicle are performed on opportune drive cycles, using Advisor, a free software based on Matlab-Simulink environment, published by US' National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Two different final configurations are environmentally and economically analysed, with the thermal power unit being respectively fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Both satisfy the Euro VI norms, showing a substantial emission reduction (-89% and -43% in CO and THC releases respectively) in comparison to pollutants' threshold values.展开更多
A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment is done to identify the environmental impacts of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated timber used for highway guard rail posts, to understand the processes that contribute to...A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment is done to identify the environmental impacts of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated timber used for highway guard rail posts, to understand the processes that contribute to the total impacts, and to determine how the impacts compare to the primary alternative product, galvanized steel posts. Guard rail posts are the supporting structures for highway guard rails. Transportation engineers, as well as public and regulatory interests, have increasing need to understand the environmental implications of guard rail post selection, in addition to factors such as costs and service performance. This study uses a life cycle inventory (LCI) to catalogue the input and output data from guard rail post manufacture, service life, and disposition, and a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) to assess anthropogenic and net greenhouse gas (GHG), acidification, smog, ecotoxicity, and eutrophication potentially resulting from life cycle air emissions. Other indicators of interest also are tracked, such as fossil fuel and water use. Comparisons of guard rail post products are made at a functional unit of one post per year of service. This life cycle assessment (LCA) finds that the manufacture, use, and disposition of CCA-treated wood guard rails offers lower fossil fuel use and lower anthropogenic and net GHG emissions, acidification, smog potential, and ecotoxicity environmental impacts than impact indicator values for galvanized steel posts. Water use and eutrophication impact indicator values for CCA-treated guard rail posts are greater than impact indicator values for galvanized steel guard rail posts.展开更多
AIM: To determine the effect of cis -9, trans -11-conjugated linoleic acid (c9, t11-CLA) on the cell cycle of gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901) and its possible mechanism in inhibition cancer growth. METHODS: Using cell...AIM: To determine the effect of cis -9, trans -11-conjugated linoleic acid (c9, t11-CLA) on the cell cycle of gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901) and its possible mechanism in inhibition cancer growth. METHODS: Using cell culture and immunocytochemical techniques, we examined the cell growth, DNA synthesis, expression of PCNA, cyclin A, B(1), D(1), p16(ink4a) and p21(cip/waf1) of SGC-7901 cells which were treated with various c9, t11-CLA concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 200 micromol.L(-1))of c 9, t 11-CLA for 24 and 48h, with a negative control (0.1% ethane). RESULTS: The cell growth and DNA synthesis of SGC-7901 cells were inhibited by c9, t11-CLA.SGC-7901 cells. Eight day after treatment with various concentrations of c9, t11-CLA mentioned above, the inhibition rates were 5.92%, 20.15%, 75.61% and 82.44%, respectively and inhibitory effect of c9, t11-CLA on DNA synthesis (except for 25 micromol.L, 24h) showed significantly less (3)H-TdR incorporation than that in the negative controls (P【0.05 and P【0.01). Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that SGC-7901 cells preincubated in media supplemented with different c9, t11-CLA concentrations at various times significantly decreased the expressions of PCNA (the expression rates were 7.2-3.0%, 24h and 9.1-0.9% at 48h, respectively), Cyclin A (11.0-2.3%, 24h and 8.5-0.5%,48h), B(1) (4.8-1.8% at 24h and 5.5-0.6% at 48h)and D(1) (3.6-1.4% at 24h and 3.7%-0 at 48h) as compared with those in the negative controls(the expressions of PCNA, Cyclin A, B(1) and D(1) were 6.5% at 24h and 9.0% at 48h, 4.2% at 24h and 5.1% at 48h, 9.5% at 24h and 6.0% at 48h,respectively)(P【0.01), whereas the expressions of P16(ink4a) and P21(cip/waf1), cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors(CDKI), were increased. CONCLUSION: The cell growth and proliferation of SGC-7901 cell is inhibited by c9, t11-CLA via blocking the cell cycle, with reduced expressions of cyclin A,B(1) and D(1) and enhanced expressions of CDKI(P16(ink4a) and p21(cip/waf1)).展开更多
With an analysis of zonal wind observations over 40 years, Salby and Callaghan [1] showed that the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) at 20 km is modulated by 11-year solar cycle (SC) variations from about 12 to 20 m/s ...With an analysis of zonal wind observations over 40 years, Salby and Callaghan [1] showed that the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) at 20 km is modulated by 11-year solar cycle (SC) variations from about 12 to 20 m/s (Figure 2). The observations are reproduced qualitatively in a study with the 3D Numerical Spectral Model, which shows that the SC effect of the stratospheric QBO is produced by dynamical downward coupling originating in the mesosphere. In this modeling study, the SC period is taken to be 10 years, and a realistic heat source is applied varying exponentially with altitude: 0.2%, surface;2%, 50 km;20%, 100 km and above. The numerical results show that the variable solar radiation in the mesosphere around 65 km generates a hemispheric symmetric Equatorial Annual Oscillation (EAO), which is modulated by relatively large SC variations. Under the influence of wave mean flow interactions, the EAO propagates into the lower atmosphere and is the dynamical source or pacemaker for the large SC modulation of the QBO. The numerical results show that the upward propagating small-scale gravity waves from the troposphere amplify the SC modulations of the QBO and EAO in the stratosphere, part of the SC mechanism. The zonal winds of the equatorial QBO and EAO produce through the meridional circulation measurable SC variations in the temperature of the stratosphere and troposphere at high latitudes. Analysis of NCEP temperature and zonal wind data (1958 to 2006) provides observational evidence of the EAO with SC variations around 11 years.展开更多
The influence of hydrogen embrittlement on the fatigue behaviors of AISI 304 stainless steel is investigated. The fatigue endurance limits of the untreated and hydrogen-embrittled materials were almost the same at 400...The influence of hydrogen embrittlement on the fatigue behaviors of AISI 304 stainless steel is investigated. The fatigue endurance limits of the untreated and hydrogen-embrittled materials were almost the same at 400 MPa, and hydrogen embrittlement had little influence even though the sample contained about 8.1 times more hydrogen. Thus, the sensitivity of hydrogen gas in this material is very low. A surface crack initiation, growth, coalescence, and micro ridge model is proposed in this study. Slip line formation?⇒microcrack formation?⇒increases in the crack width, and blunting of the crack tip as it grows?⇒formation of many slip lines because of deformation in the shear direction?⇒growth of the crack in the shear direction, forming micro ridges, coalescence with adjacent cracks ⇒?continuous initiation, growth, coalescence, and ridge formation of surface cracks and specimen breakage.展开更多
Growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) is an anti-oncogene that has been extensively studied in tumors. However, research on GAS5 in the context of nervous system disease is rare at present. This study aimed to investigate t...Growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) is an anti-oncogene that has been extensively studied in tumors. However, research on GAS5 in the context of nervous system disease is rare at present. This study aimed to investigate the role of the long non-coding RNA GAS5 in rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells). GAS5-overexpressing lentivirus was transfected into PC12 cells, and expression levels of GAS5 and C-myc were detected by real-time PCR. Ratios of cells in S phase were detected by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the immunoreactivity of neuron microtubule markers Tuj1, doublecortin, and microtubule-associated protein 2. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, while expression of acetylcholine in cells was detected by western blot assay. We found that GAS5 can promote PC12 cells to differentiate into Tuj1-positive neuron-like cells with longer processes. In addition, cell proliferation and cell cycle were significantly suppressed by GAS5, whereas it had no effect on apoptosis of PC12 cells. Our results indicate that GAS5 could increase the expression of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholine release. Thus, we speculate that GAS5 is beneficial to the recovery of neurons and the cholinergic nervous system.展开更多
To investigate the strength degradation characteristics and microscopic damage mechanisms of moraine soil under hydro-thermo-mechanical coupling conditions,a series of X-ray Diffraction(XRD),standard triaxial testing,...To investigate the strength degradation characteristics and microscopic damage mechanisms of moraine soil under hydro-thermo-mechanical coupling conditions,a series of X-ray Diffraction(XRD),standard triaxial testing,Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM),and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR)experiments were conducted.The mechanical property degradation laws and evolution characteristics of the microscopic pore structure of moraine soil under Freeze-Thaw(F-T)conditions were revealed.After F-T cycles,the stress-strain curves of moraine soil showed a strain-softening trend.In the early stage of F-T cycles(0–5 cycles),the shear strength and elastic modulus exhibited damage rate of approximately 10.33%±0.8%and 16.60%±1.2%,respectively.In the later stage(10–20 cycles),the strength parameters fluctuated slightly and tended to stabilize.The number of F-T cycles was negatively exponentially correlated with cohesion,while showing only slight fluctuation in the internal friction angle,thereby extending the Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion for moraine soil under F-T cycles.The NMR experiments quantitatively characterized the evolution of the internal pore structure of moraine soil under F-T cycles.As the number of F-T cycles increased,fine and micro pores gradually expanded and merged due to the frost-heaving effect during the water-ice phase transition,forming larger pores.The proportion of large and medium pores increased to 59.55%±2.1%(N=20),while that of fine and micro pores decreased to 40.45%±2.1%(N=20).The evolution of pore structure characteristics was essentially completed in the later stage of F-T cycles(10–20 cycles).This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for major engineering construction and disaster prevention in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.展开更多
Observation of stilbene dropping pill and yiqi drug-containing serum influence mechanism of vascular smooth muscle proliferation， cell cycle and Cyclin D1 and CDK4Choose male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 gr...Observation of stilbene dropping pill and yiqi drug-containing serum influence mechanism of vascular smooth muscle proliferation， cell cycle and Cyclin D1 and CDK4Choose male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups， lavage qishen yiqi pill and the gastric saline group，extract the drug-containing serum and normal serum；To set the two groups of serum respectively different concentrations，concentration in different time by CCK8 detection effects on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation， select best concentration and action time.Flow cytometry instrument and high-throughput screening detect serum medicated effect on vascular smooth muscle cell cycle；Western blot detect the drug-containing serum of cell cycle protein Cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression.Result is 5%， 10% medicated serum inhibits cell proliferation significantly higher than the normal serum concentrations of same within 24 h， 48 h.G1 phase cells 5% medicated serum group was obviously higher than that of 5% in normal group (P<005)， serum and cell proliferation index significantly less than 5% normal serum group (P<005)，At the same time， Cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression significantly less than 5% normal serum group (P<005).Conclusion serum of qishen yiqi pill can inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation， may be through inhibiting cell cycle protein Cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression， block the cell cycle G1 process is closely related to the role.展开更多
Igneous and detrital zircons have six major U/Pb isotopic age peaks in common(2700 Ma,1875 Ma.1045 Ma,625 Ma,265 Ma and 90 Ma).For igneous rocks,each age peak is comprised of subpeaks with distinct geographic distribu...Igneous and detrital zircons have six major U/Pb isotopic age peaks in common(2700 Ma,1875 Ma.1045 Ma,625 Ma,265 Ma and 90 Ma).For igneous rocks,each age peak is comprised of subpeaks with distinct geographic distributions and a subpeak age range per age peak≤100 Myr.There are eight major LIP age peaks(found on≥10 crustal provinces)of which only four are in common to major detrital zircon age peaks(2715 Ma,1875 Ma,825 Ma,90 Ma).Of the whole-rock Re depletion ages,58%have correspo nding detrital zircon age peaks and 55%have corresponding LIP age peaks.Ten age pea ks are fou nd in common to igneous zircon,detrital zircon,LIP,and Re depletion age time series(3225 Ma,2875 Ma,2145 Ma,2085 Ma,1985 Ma,1785 Ma,1455 Ma,1175 Ma,825 Ma,and 90 Ma).and these are very robust peaks on a global scale as recorded in both crustal and mantle rocks.About 50%of the age peaks in each of these time series correspond to predicted peaks in a 94-Myr mantle cycle,including four of the ten peaks in common to all four time series(2875 Ma,1785 Ma,825 Ma and 90 Ma).Age peak widths and subpeak ranges per age peak suggest that mantle events responsible for age peaks are<100 Myr and many<50 Myr in duration.Age peak geographic distributions show three populations(≤1000 Ma,2500-1000 Ma,>2500 Ma),with the number of new provinces in which age peaks are represented decreasing with time within each population.The breaks between the populations(at 2.5 Ga and 1 Ga)fall near the onsets of two transitions in Earth history.The First Transition may represent a change from stagnant-lid tectonics into plate tectonics and the Second Transition,the onset of subduction of continental crust.The major factor controlling geographic distribution of age peaks is the changing locations of orogeny.Before^2 Ga,age subpeaks and peaks are housed in orogens within or around the edges of crustal provinces,mostly in accretionary orogens.but beginning at 1.9 Ga,collisional orogens become more important.The coincidence in duration between magmatic flare-ups in Phanerozoic arcs and duration of age subpeaks(10-30 Myr)is consiste nt with subpeaks representing periods of enhanced arcrelated magmatism.probably caused by increased subduction flux.The correlation of isotopic age peaks between time series supports a cause and effect relationship between mantle plume activity,continental magma production at convergent margins,and crustal deformation.Correlation of over half of the detrital zircon age peaks(and six of the nine major peaks)with Re depletion age peaks supports an interpretation of the zircon peaks as crustal growth rather than selective preservation peaks.展开更多
AIM:To investigate cell cycle proteins in chronic hepatitis C virus infection in order to analyze their role in the process of hepatocyte transformation and to characterize their prognostic properties. METHODS:Subject...AIM:To investigate cell cycle proteins in chronic hepatitis C virus infection in order to analyze their role in the process of hepatocyte transformation and to characterize their prognostic properties. METHODS:Subjects of the current study included 50 cases of chronic hepatitis C(CHC) without cirrhosis,30 cases of CHC with liver cirrhosis(LC) ,and 30 cases of hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) admitted to the Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology,Theodor Bilharz Research Institute(TBRI) ,Giza,Egypt.Fifteen wedge liver biopsies,taken during laparoscopic cholecystectomy,were also included as normal controls.Laboratory investigations including urine and stool analysis,liver function tests and prothrombin concentration;serologic markers for viral hepatitis and ultrasonography were done for all cases of the study together with immunohistochemical analysis using primary antibodies against Cyclin D1,Cyclin E,p21,p27 and Rb/p105 proteins. RESULTS:Normal wedge liver biopsies didn't express Cyclin E or Rb/p105 immunostaining but show positive staining for Cyclin D1,p21 and p27.Cyclin D1 expressed nuclear staining that was sequentially increased from CHC to LC(P<0.01) to HCC(P<0.001) cases;meanwhile,Cyclin E revealed nuclear positivity only in the case of HCCs patients that was directly correlated to Rb/p105 immuno-reactivity.The expression of p21 and p27 was significantly increased in CHC and LC cases compared to normal controls and HCCs with no significant difference between well-and poorlydifferentiated tumors.p21 showed only a nuclear pattern of staining,while,p27 presented with either cytoplasmic and/or nuclear reactivity in all studied cases.Correlation analysis revealed a direct relation between Cyclin D1 and p21 in CHC cases(P<0.001) ,between Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E in HCCs(P<0.01);however,an inverserelationship was detected between Cyclin D1 and p21 or p27(P<0.001) and between p21 and Rb/p105(P<0.05) in HCCs. CONCLUSION:Upregulation of Cyclin D1 in CHC plays a vital role in the development and differentiation of HCC;while,Cyclin E may be a useful marker for monitoring tumor behavior.p21 and p27 can be used as predictive markers for HCC.Furthermore,higher expression of Rb/p105 as well as inverse relation with p21 and histologic grades suggests its important role in hepatic carcinogenesis.展开更多
The present paper describes the energy analysis of a regenerative vapour power system. The regenerative steam turbines based on the Rankine cycle and comprised of vapour extractions have been used industrially since t...The present paper describes the energy analysis of a regenerative vapour power system. The regenerative steam turbines based on the Rankine cycle and comprised of vapour extractions have been used industrially since the beginning of the 20th century, particularly regarding the processes of electrical production. After having performed worked in the first stages of the turbine, part of the vapour is directed toward a regenerative exchanger and heats feedwater coming from the condenser. This process is known as regeneration, and the heat exchanger where the heat is transferred from steam is called a regenerator (or a feedwater heater). The profit in the output brought by regenerative rakings is primarily enabled by the lack of exchange of the tapped vapour reheating water with the low-temperature reservoir. The economic optimum is often fixed at seven extractions. One knows the Carnot relation, which is the best possible theoretical yield of a dual-temperature cycle;in a Carnot cycle, one makes the assumption that both compressions and expansions are isentropic. This article studies an ideal theoretical machine comprised of vapour extractions in which each cycle partial of tapped vapour obeys these same compressions and isentropic expansions.展开更多
The performance of solar panels significantly degrades due to dust accumulation but cleaning too frequently will severely impact the financial benefits of the installation of solar panels. This paper assumes a realist...The performance of solar panels significantly degrades due to dust accumulation but cleaning too frequently will severely impact the financial benefits of the installation of solar panels. This paper assumes a realistic linear model for accumulation of dust on the solar panels and the resulting hourly average of absolute loss of efficiency in solar panels. This model accurately depicts the fact that energy production by solar panels occurs during sunshine hours only and also accounts for the degradation in the efficiency of solar panels due to dust accumulation throughout the entire day. Based on this, the optimal number of days for maximum financial profit and the critical number of days (above which there is no profit in installing solar panels) have been estimated. Furthermore, we have suggested a formalism to help estimate the finances for self-cleaning technology for PV system and also for calculating the minimum payback period for installing solar panels with the financial cost of the cleaning cycles properly considered. This research could be motivation for companies in developing self-cleaning mechanism for PV system.展开更多
At subzero temperature, the startup capability and performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) deteriorates markedly. The object of this work is to study the degradation mechanism of key components o...At subzero temperature, the startup capability and performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) deteriorates markedly. The object of this work is to study the degradation mechanism of key components of PEMFC-membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and seek feasible measures to avoid degradation. The effect of freeze/thaw cycles on the structure of MEA is investigated based on porosity and SEM measurement. The performance of a single cell was also tested before and after repetitious freeze/thaw cycles. The experimental results indicated that the performance of a PEMFC decreased along with the total operating time as well as the pore size distribution shifting and micro configuration changing. However, when the redundant water had been removed by gas purging, the performance of the PEMFC stack was almost resumed when it experienced again the same subzero temperature test. These results show that it is necessary to remove the water in PEMFCs to maintain stable performance under subzero temperature and gas purging is proved to be the effective operation.展开更多
Objective:To explore the application of plan–do–check–action(PDCA)cycle in the management of the naked medicine dispensing about the automatic package and to analyze the practice improved in the quality of naked me...Objective:To explore the application of plan–do–check–action(PDCA)cycle in the management of the naked medicine dispensing about the automatic package and to analyze the practice improved in the quality of naked medicine dispensing medicine management.Methods:The PDCA theory was used to analyze the data,to find out the causes of the problem,and to formulate the corresponding countermeasures to intervene.The data of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of the inpatients in 18 inpatient departments given for the adoption of PDCA cycle in January 2017 were set as the observation group.The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of patients in 18 inpatient departments before adoption of PDCA cycle in December 2016 was set as the control group.The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of patients in 18 inpatient departments before and after adoption of PDCA cycle was observed and analyzed.Results:The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events after implementing the method of PDCA cycle management rate was significantly lower than before the implementation method of PDCA cycle management,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).The satisfaction degree of the inpatients after implementing the method of PDCA cycle management rate was significantly higher than that before the implementation method of PDCA cycle management,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion:Application of PDCA cycle in the management of the naked medicine dispensing about the automatic package can help to reduce the adverse drug events,to improve the safety of drug treatment,and to increase the patients’satisfaction degree.展开更多
In recent year,desertification has become one of the most important environmental hazards all over the world,especially in developing countries such as Iran.Understanding the factors impacting on desertification and i...In recent year,desertification has become one of the most important environmental hazards all over the world,especially in developing countries such as Iran.Understanding the factors impacting on desertification and identifying the regions with high desertification potential are essential to control this phenomenon(i.e.,desertification).The life cycle assessment(LCA)method is essential in assessing the desertification of ecosystems,especially for susceptible ecosystems with high degradation risks.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the desertification potential of Lorestan Province,Iran,based on the LCA method.We selected aridity,fire and dust as three indicators of desertification and collected data from 2000 to 2015.We divided the study area into 6 types of ecoregions according to the climate types(arid,semi-arid and dry sub-humid)and dominant species(Quercus brantii and Astragalus adscendens),and calculated the characteristic factor(CF)of each indicator(aridity,fire and dust)by combining the indicator layers and ecoregion layer of the study area.In a given ecoregion,the sum of CF values of aridity,dust and fire indicators represents the life cycle inventory(LCI)desertification value(the higher the LCI value,the greater the desertification potential).Then,we obtained the desertification potential map by combining and overlapping the ecoregions and the normalized indicators based on the LCA method.Aridity and fire exhibit significant impacts on desertification in the study area compared with dust.In the study area,semi-arid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species is the largest ecoregion,while arid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species is the smallest ecoregion.Arid ecoregion with Astragalus adscendens as the dominant species(LCI desertification value of 1.99)and dry sub-humid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species(LCI desertification value of 0.79)show the highest and lowest desertification potentials,respectively.Furthermore,arid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species also has a higher LCI desertification value(1.89),showing a high desertification potential.These results suggest the necessity of proper management and appropriate utilization in these ecoregions.In general,assessing desertification potential using the LCA method on a local and regional scale can possibly provide a new methodology for identifying and protecting areas with high degradation risks.展开更多
The present paper deals with the effect of recurrent activity on the foF2 diurnal variation at Ouagadougou station for solar cycles 21 and 22. The recurrent activity produces at daytime positive storm for all solar cy...The present paper deals with the effect of recurrent activity on the foF2 diurnal variation at Ouagadougou station for solar cycles 21 and 22. The recurrent activity produces at daytime positive storm for all solar cycle phases. For all seasons, the recurrent activity causes positive storm during nighttime and has no effect during daytime. From this study, it emerges that a positive effect of the storm at this station may be explained by the thermospheric composition changes. Recurrent activity more occurs during the solar decreasing phase and during spring month. The storm strength shows solar cycle phase and seasonal dependence. The storm strength is the highest during the solar increasing phase and during summer months.展开更多
文摘The p27Kip1 is a cell cycle repressor protein that regulates primarily the cell cycle transition from G1 to S phase and hence the DNA replication is in the S phase and cell division in the M phase. Expression of p27Kip1 protein has dual roles for both cancer prevention and promotion. For example, numerous nutritional and chemopreventive anti-cancer agents specifically increase the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. On the other hand, pro-cancer agents (like glucose, insulin and other growth factors frequently seen in obesity and/or diabetes) specifically decrease the expression of p27Kip1 protein without directly affecting the expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins. Unlike expression of any other cell cycle regulatory proteins, expression of p27Kip1 protein is very unusual. The mRNA of p27Kip1 has a very long and unusual 5’-untranslated region (from -575 to -1 in human). It appears that the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA forms two alternative secondary structures. One increases the expression of p27Kip1 protein when anti-cancer agents are added and another decrease the expression of p27K1p1 when pro-cancer agents are added. For this short concept proposal, Dr. Albert Einstein’s “visualized thought experiments (German: Gedanken experiment)” were used as a fundamental tool for understanding how either anti- or pro-cancer agents bring the primary structure of the 5’-untranslated region of p27Kip1 mRNA into two alternative secondary structures, thereby either increasing or decreasing, respectively, the translation initiation of p27Kip1 protein.
文摘Several significant events of a geological nature occurred approximately 800 ka before the present: (1) Australasian tektite fall (AA), (2) Brunhes-Matuyama geomagnetic reversal (BMR), (3) mid-Pleistocene changes in ice age cycles. Add to these the undated fault system (4) in the South-West (SW) of the South China Sea (SCS). Here we offer a unified cause for all four of these in (5), an impact in the SCS of a large, massive cosmic object, likely a comet, obliquely coming from the SW at an extremely shallow angle, striking the Sunda shelf yet unexploded with the shock of its compressed air bow wave, and causing the continual shelf and slope to collapse, resulting in the fault system (4), then traveling almost tangentially to the surface, exploding at impact with the sea surface, ejecting the tektites (1), creating the formation underlying the later atolls of Spratlies Archipelago (6), Nansha Islands in Chinese, & causing the BMR (2). An explanation of event (3) was Richard Muller’s hypothesis of planet Earth passing through an interplanetary dust cloud periodically due to ecliptic precession. Here we hypothesize this cloud actually is a belt of Australasian tektites ejected into space at super-orbital velocities that Earth encounters about every 100 ka.
文摘This study presents the effect of excavator model, loading operation location, shift availability and truck-shovel combination on loading cycle time and productivity of an open-pit mine. The loading cycle time was used to assess the material loading system performance which is one of the key components of the total cycle time for material transportation in an open-pit mine. Loading is among the components of cycle time during which material is being handled. The data analyzed?was?collected from a computerized dispatch system at GGM from which 62,000 loading dispatches per month involving several shifts, 14 excavators and 49 trucks were loaded. About 4465 dispatches per excavator and 1276 dispatches per truck were assessed using loading cycle time data for each dispatch for a period of four months (between August and December). Under fixed tonnage loaded and waste type (33 t of non-acid forming waste rock),?it was observed that loading cycle time depends on excavator model, location and truck being loaded. Average cycle times, PDFS?and CDFS of loading cycle time series were used to identify differences in performance under different situations. It was concluded that shift availability for excavators, loading location, excavator model and truck-shovel combinations strongly affect the productivity during loading process in an open-pit mine.
文摘In this paper, the performance of a waste rock transportation process in an open pit mine was assessed by using cycle time data. A computerized truck-excavator dispatch system was used to record the cycle times. The process was broken into seven steps (or components of the total cycle), durations of which were recorded for a period of 1 month, leading to N = 60,690 data points or dispatches. The open pit mine studied consisted of 12 waste types loaded by 14 excavators and hauled by 49 trucks (at a trucks-to-excavator ratio of 3.5:1) in 75 changing locations. The string-type data was coded using integers to allow a FORTRAN code to extract process performance parameters using statistical analysis. The study established a wide range of parameters including: the waste material generation rate (about 1.73 million t/month, 81% comprising waste rock), truck fill factor, f, total cycle time (Tct), production capacity, theoretical cycle time, non-productive cycle time Tnp, and cycle time performance ratio (CTPR), denoted as Tpr. The factors affecting the process performance include: truck model, excavator model, location (haul distance and road conditions) and material type. For a fixed material type and tonnage, the PDFs of the cycle time components were logarithmic in nature, capable of differentiating performance variations under different factors. It was concluded that the performance of the waste material transportation system in this mine was determined to be acceptable due to mean value of Tpr = 2.432 being closer to unity. Reduction measures were suggested to minimize the cycle time for the process bottlenecks determined from Pareto analysis (that is, full haul, empty haul and loading processes).
文摘Modern metropolises are increasingly affected by air quality problems. Transportation is one of the largest sources of several pollutants emissions, such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO). Today in the EU, vehicles' emissions are strictly limited by Euro 6 norm-Euro VI for heavy-duty vehicles-which is periodically upgraded. To match such limits, manufacturers are forced in developing new technologies to perform new sustainable vehicles design strategies, such as EVs and HEVs. Present work's aim is to provide the design of series-hybrid urban transportation bus, equipped with a novel thermal power unit, namely a small gas turbine, to exploit its cleaner combustion process in comparison with an ICE. The control logic is described, while the main drivetrain components are chosen, and suitable models from suppliers are selected as well. Then, some simulations of the resulting vehicle are performed on opportune drive cycles, using Advisor, a free software based on Matlab-Simulink environment, published by US' National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Two different final configurations are environmentally and economically analysed, with the thermal power unit being respectively fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Both satisfy the Euro VI norms, showing a substantial emission reduction (-89% and -43% in CO and THC releases respectively) in comparison to pollutants' threshold values.
文摘A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment is done to identify the environmental impacts of chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated timber used for highway guard rail posts, to understand the processes that contribute to the total impacts, and to determine how the impacts compare to the primary alternative product, galvanized steel posts. Guard rail posts are the supporting structures for highway guard rails. Transportation engineers, as well as public and regulatory interests, have increasing need to understand the environmental implications of guard rail post selection, in addition to factors such as costs and service performance. This study uses a life cycle inventory (LCI) to catalogue the input and output data from guard rail post manufacture, service life, and disposition, and a life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) to assess anthropogenic and net greenhouse gas (GHG), acidification, smog, ecotoxicity, and eutrophication potentially resulting from life cycle air emissions. Other indicators of interest also are tracked, such as fossil fuel and water use. Comparisons of guard rail post products are made at a functional unit of one post per year of service. This life cycle assessment (LCA) finds that the manufacture, use, and disposition of CCA-treated wood guard rails offers lower fossil fuel use and lower anthropogenic and net GHG emissions, acidification, smog potential, and ecotoxicity environmental impacts than impact indicator values for galvanized steel posts. Water use and eutrophication impact indicator values for CCA-treated guard rail posts are greater than impact indicator values for galvanized steel guard rail posts.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.39870661
文摘AIM: To determine the effect of cis -9, trans -11-conjugated linoleic acid (c9, t11-CLA) on the cell cycle of gastric cancer cells (SGC-7901) and its possible mechanism in inhibition cancer growth. METHODS: Using cell culture and immunocytochemical techniques, we examined the cell growth, DNA synthesis, expression of PCNA, cyclin A, B(1), D(1), p16(ink4a) and p21(cip/waf1) of SGC-7901 cells which were treated with various c9, t11-CLA concentrations (25, 50, 100 and 200 micromol.L(-1))of c 9, t 11-CLA for 24 and 48h, with a negative control (0.1% ethane). RESULTS: The cell growth and DNA synthesis of SGC-7901 cells were inhibited by c9, t11-CLA.SGC-7901 cells. Eight day after treatment with various concentrations of c9, t11-CLA mentioned above, the inhibition rates were 5.92%, 20.15%, 75.61% and 82.44%, respectively and inhibitory effect of c9, t11-CLA on DNA synthesis (except for 25 micromol.L, 24h) showed significantly less (3)H-TdR incorporation than that in the negative controls (P【0.05 and P【0.01). Immunocytochemical staining demonstrated that SGC-7901 cells preincubated in media supplemented with different c9, t11-CLA concentrations at various times significantly decreased the expressions of PCNA (the expression rates were 7.2-3.0%, 24h and 9.1-0.9% at 48h, respectively), Cyclin A (11.0-2.3%, 24h and 8.5-0.5%,48h), B(1) (4.8-1.8% at 24h and 5.5-0.6% at 48h)and D(1) (3.6-1.4% at 24h and 3.7%-0 at 48h) as compared with those in the negative controls(the expressions of PCNA, Cyclin A, B(1) and D(1) were 6.5% at 24h and 9.0% at 48h, 4.2% at 24h and 5.1% at 48h, 9.5% at 24h and 6.0% at 48h,respectively)(P【0.01), whereas the expressions of P16(ink4a) and P21(cip/waf1), cyclin-dependent kinases inhibitors(CDKI), were increased. CONCLUSION: The cell growth and proliferation of SGC-7901 cell is inhibited by c9, t11-CLA via blocking the cell cycle, with reduced expressions of cyclin A,B(1) and D(1) and enhanced expressions of CDKI(P16(ink4a) and p21(cip/waf1)).
文摘With an analysis of zonal wind observations over 40 years, Salby and Callaghan [1] showed that the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) at 20 km is modulated by 11-year solar cycle (SC) variations from about 12 to 20 m/s (Figure 2). The observations are reproduced qualitatively in a study with the 3D Numerical Spectral Model, which shows that the SC effect of the stratospheric QBO is produced by dynamical downward coupling originating in the mesosphere. In this modeling study, the SC period is taken to be 10 years, and a realistic heat source is applied varying exponentially with altitude: 0.2%, surface;2%, 50 km;20%, 100 km and above. The numerical results show that the variable solar radiation in the mesosphere around 65 km generates a hemispheric symmetric Equatorial Annual Oscillation (EAO), which is modulated by relatively large SC variations. Under the influence of wave mean flow interactions, the EAO propagates into the lower atmosphere and is the dynamical source or pacemaker for the large SC modulation of the QBO. The numerical results show that the upward propagating small-scale gravity waves from the troposphere amplify the SC modulations of the QBO and EAO in the stratosphere, part of the SC mechanism. The zonal winds of the equatorial QBO and EAO produce through the meridional circulation measurable SC variations in the temperature of the stratosphere and troposphere at high latitudes. Analysis of NCEP temperature and zonal wind data (1958 to 2006) provides observational evidence of the EAO with SC variations around 11 years.
文摘The influence of hydrogen embrittlement on the fatigue behaviors of AISI 304 stainless steel is investigated. The fatigue endurance limits of the untreated and hydrogen-embrittled materials were almost the same at 400 MPa, and hydrogen embrittlement had little influence even though the sample contained about 8.1 times more hydrogen. Thus, the sensitivity of hydrogen gas in this material is very low. A surface crack initiation, growth, coalescence, and micro ridge model is proposed in this study. Slip line formation?⇒microcrack formation?⇒increases in the crack width, and blunting of the crack tip as it grows?⇒formation of many slip lines because of deformation in the shear direction?⇒growth of the crack in the shear direction, forming micro ridges, coalescence with adjacent cracks ⇒?continuous initiation, growth, coalescence, and ridge formation of surface cracks and specimen breakage.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81501133(to HML)Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province of China,No.KYCX17-1931(to HYZ)+3 种基金Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Project of Nantong University of China,No.2018150(to STZ)Pre-research Project of Natural Science Foundation of Nantong University of China,No.17ZY19(to HH)Scientific Research Fund Project of Nantong University Xinglin College of China,No.2018K131(to HYZ)Nantong Science and Technology Project of China,No.JC2018064(to HYZ)
文摘Growth arrest-specific 5 (GAS5) is an anti-oncogene that has been extensively studied in tumors. However, research on GAS5 in the context of nervous system disease is rare at present. This study aimed to investigate the role of the long non-coding RNA GAS5 in rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells). GAS5-overexpressing lentivirus was transfected into PC12 cells, and expression levels of GAS5 and C-myc were detected by real-time PCR. Ratios of cells in S phase were detected by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the immunoreactivity of neuron microtubule markers Tuj1, doublecortin, and microtubule-associated protein 2. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, while expression of acetylcholine in cells was detected by western blot assay. We found that GAS5 can promote PC12 cells to differentiate into Tuj1-positive neuron-like cells with longer processes. In addition, cell proliferation and cell cycle were significantly suppressed by GAS5, whereas it had no effect on apoptosis of PC12 cells. Our results indicate that GAS5 could increase the expression of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholine release. Thus, we speculate that GAS5 is beneficial to the recovery of neurons and the cholinergic nervous system.
基金support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42107193,42077245)supported by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program(2025YFNH0008,2025YFNH0004)+1 种基金the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection Independent Research Project(SKLGP2023Z006)the Everest Scientific Research Program 2.0:Research on mechanism and control of glacial lake outburst chain catastrophe in Qinghai-Xizang Plateau based on man-earth coordination perspective.
文摘To investigate the strength degradation characteristics and microscopic damage mechanisms of moraine soil under hydro-thermo-mechanical coupling conditions,a series of X-ray Diffraction(XRD),standard triaxial testing,Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM),and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR)experiments were conducted.The mechanical property degradation laws and evolution characteristics of the microscopic pore structure of moraine soil under Freeze-Thaw(F-T)conditions were revealed.After F-T cycles,the stress-strain curves of moraine soil showed a strain-softening trend.In the early stage of F-T cycles(0–5 cycles),the shear strength and elastic modulus exhibited damage rate of approximately 10.33%±0.8%and 16.60%±1.2%,respectively.In the later stage(10–20 cycles),the strength parameters fluctuated slightly and tended to stabilize.The number of F-T cycles was negatively exponentially correlated with cohesion,while showing only slight fluctuation in the internal friction angle,thereby extending the Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion for moraine soil under F-T cycles.The NMR experiments quantitatively characterized the evolution of the internal pore structure of moraine soil under F-T cycles.As the number of F-T cycles increased,fine and micro pores gradually expanded and merged due to the frost-heaving effect during the water-ice phase transition,forming larger pores.The proportion of large and medium pores increased to 59.55%±2.1%(N=20),while that of fine and micro pores decreased to 40.45%±2.1%(N=20).The evolution of pore structure characteristics was essentially completed in the later stage of F-T cycles(10–20 cycles).This study provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for major engineering construction and disaster prevention in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
文摘Observation of stilbene dropping pill and yiqi drug-containing serum influence mechanism of vascular smooth muscle proliferation， cell cycle and Cyclin D1 and CDK4Choose male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups， lavage qishen yiqi pill and the gastric saline group，extract the drug-containing serum and normal serum；To set the two groups of serum respectively different concentrations，concentration in different time by CCK8 detection effects on vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation， select best concentration and action time.Flow cytometry instrument and high-throughput screening detect serum medicated effect on vascular smooth muscle cell cycle；Western blot detect the drug-containing serum of cell cycle protein Cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression.Result is 5%， 10% medicated serum inhibits cell proliferation significantly higher than the normal serum concentrations of same within 24 h， 48 h.G1 phase cells 5% medicated serum group was obviously higher than that of 5% in normal group (P<005)， serum and cell proliferation index significantly less than 5% normal serum group (P<005)，At the same time， Cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression significantly less than 5% normal serum group (P<005).Conclusion serum of qishen yiqi pill can inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation， may be through inhibiting cell cycle protein Cyclin D1 and CDK4 expression， block the cell cycle G1 process is closely related to the role.
文摘Igneous and detrital zircons have six major U/Pb isotopic age peaks in common(2700 Ma,1875 Ma.1045 Ma,625 Ma,265 Ma and 90 Ma).For igneous rocks,each age peak is comprised of subpeaks with distinct geographic distributions and a subpeak age range per age peak≤100 Myr.There are eight major LIP age peaks(found on≥10 crustal provinces)of which only four are in common to major detrital zircon age peaks(2715 Ma,1875 Ma,825 Ma,90 Ma).Of the whole-rock Re depletion ages,58%have correspo nding detrital zircon age peaks and 55%have corresponding LIP age peaks.Ten age pea ks are fou nd in common to igneous zircon,detrital zircon,LIP,and Re depletion age time series(3225 Ma,2875 Ma,2145 Ma,2085 Ma,1985 Ma,1785 Ma,1455 Ma,1175 Ma,825 Ma,and 90 Ma).and these are very robust peaks on a global scale as recorded in both crustal and mantle rocks.About 50%of the age peaks in each of these time series correspond to predicted peaks in a 94-Myr mantle cycle,including four of the ten peaks in common to all four time series(2875 Ma,1785 Ma,825 Ma and 90 Ma).Age peak widths and subpeak ranges per age peak suggest that mantle events responsible for age peaks are<100 Myr and many<50 Myr in duration.Age peak geographic distributions show three populations(≤1000 Ma,2500-1000 Ma,>2500 Ma),with the number of new provinces in which age peaks are represented decreasing with time within each population.The breaks between the populations(at 2.5 Ga and 1 Ga)fall near the onsets of two transitions in Earth history.The First Transition may represent a change from stagnant-lid tectonics into plate tectonics and the Second Transition,the onset of subduction of continental crust.The major factor controlling geographic distribution of age peaks is the changing locations of orogeny.Before^2 Ga,age subpeaks and peaks are housed in orogens within or around the edges of crustal provinces,mostly in accretionary orogens.but beginning at 1.9 Ga,collisional orogens become more important.The coincidence in duration between magmatic flare-ups in Phanerozoic arcs and duration of age subpeaks(10-30 Myr)is consiste nt with subpeaks representing periods of enhanced arcrelated magmatism.probably caused by increased subduction flux.The correlation of isotopic age peaks between time series supports a cause and effect relationship between mantle plume activity,continental magma production at convergent margins,and crustal deformation.Correlation of over half of the detrital zircon age peaks(and six of the nine major peaks)with Re depletion age peaks supports an interpretation of the zircon peaks as crustal growth rather than selective preservation peaks.
基金Supported by Theodor Bilharz Research Institute(Grant# 74D) in collaboration with the American University of Cairo
文摘AIM:To investigate cell cycle proteins in chronic hepatitis C virus infection in order to analyze their role in the process of hepatocyte transformation and to characterize their prognostic properties. METHODS:Subjects of the current study included 50 cases of chronic hepatitis C(CHC) without cirrhosis,30 cases of CHC with liver cirrhosis(LC) ,and 30 cases of hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) admitted to the Department of Hepato-Gastroenterology,Theodor Bilharz Research Institute(TBRI) ,Giza,Egypt.Fifteen wedge liver biopsies,taken during laparoscopic cholecystectomy,were also included as normal controls.Laboratory investigations including urine and stool analysis,liver function tests and prothrombin concentration;serologic markers for viral hepatitis and ultrasonography were done for all cases of the study together with immunohistochemical analysis using primary antibodies against Cyclin D1,Cyclin E,p21,p27 and Rb/p105 proteins. RESULTS:Normal wedge liver biopsies didn't express Cyclin E or Rb/p105 immunostaining but show positive staining for Cyclin D1,p21 and p27.Cyclin D1 expressed nuclear staining that was sequentially increased from CHC to LC(P<0.01) to HCC(P<0.001) cases;meanwhile,Cyclin E revealed nuclear positivity only in the case of HCCs patients that was directly correlated to Rb/p105 immuno-reactivity.The expression of p21 and p27 was significantly increased in CHC and LC cases compared to normal controls and HCCs with no significant difference between well-and poorlydifferentiated tumors.p21 showed only a nuclear pattern of staining,while,p27 presented with either cytoplasmic and/or nuclear reactivity in all studied cases.Correlation analysis revealed a direct relation between Cyclin D1 and p21 in CHC cases(P<0.001) ,between Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E in HCCs(P<0.01);however,an inverserelationship was detected between Cyclin D1 and p21 or p27(P<0.001) and between p21 and Rb/p105(P<0.05) in HCCs. CONCLUSION:Upregulation of Cyclin D1 in CHC plays a vital role in the development and differentiation of HCC;while,Cyclin E may be a useful marker for monitoring tumor behavior.p21 and p27 can be used as predictive markers for HCC.Furthermore,higher expression of Rb/p105 as well as inverse relation with p21 and histologic grades suggests its important role in hepatic carcinogenesis.
文摘The present paper describes the energy analysis of a regenerative vapour power system. The regenerative steam turbines based on the Rankine cycle and comprised of vapour extractions have been used industrially since the beginning of the 20th century, particularly regarding the processes of electrical production. After having performed worked in the first stages of the turbine, part of the vapour is directed toward a regenerative exchanger and heats feedwater coming from the condenser. This process is known as regeneration, and the heat exchanger where the heat is transferred from steam is called a regenerator (or a feedwater heater). The profit in the output brought by regenerative rakings is primarily enabled by the lack of exchange of the tapped vapour reheating water with the low-temperature reservoir. The economic optimum is often fixed at seven extractions. One knows the Carnot relation, which is the best possible theoretical yield of a dual-temperature cycle;in a Carnot cycle, one makes the assumption that both compressions and expansions are isentropic. This article studies an ideal theoretical machine comprised of vapour extractions in which each cycle partial of tapped vapour obeys these same compressions and isentropic expansions.
文摘The performance of solar panels significantly degrades due to dust accumulation but cleaning too frequently will severely impact the financial benefits of the installation of solar panels. This paper assumes a realistic linear model for accumulation of dust on the solar panels and the resulting hourly average of absolute loss of efficiency in solar panels. This model accurately depicts the fact that energy production by solar panels occurs during sunshine hours only and also accounts for the degradation in the efficiency of solar panels due to dust accumulation throughout the entire day. Based on this, the optimal number of days for maximum financial profit and the critical number of days (above which there is no profit in installing solar panels) have been estimated. Furthermore, we have suggested a formalism to help estimate the finances for self-cleaning technology for PV system and also for calculating the minimum payback period for installing solar panels with the financial cost of the cleaning cycles properly considered. This research could be motivation for companies in developing self-cleaning mechanism for PV system.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.20206030) and Ministry of Science and Technology 863 Hi-Technology Research and Development Program of China (2005AA501660).
文摘At subzero temperature, the startup capability and performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) deteriorates markedly. The object of this work is to study the degradation mechanism of key components of PEMFC-membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and seek feasible measures to avoid degradation. The effect of freeze/thaw cycles on the structure of MEA is investigated based on porosity and SEM measurement. The performance of a single cell was also tested before and after repetitious freeze/thaw cycles. The experimental results indicated that the performance of a PEMFC decreased along with the total operating time as well as the pore size distribution shifting and micro configuration changing. However, when the redundant water had been removed by gas purging, the performance of the PEMFC stack was almost resumed when it experienced again the same subzero temperature test. These results show that it is necessary to remove the water in PEMFCs to maintain stable performance under subzero temperature and gas purging is proved to be the effective operation.
文摘Objective:To explore the application of plan–do–check–action(PDCA)cycle in the management of the naked medicine dispensing about the automatic package and to analyze the practice improved in the quality of naked medicine dispensing medicine management.Methods:The PDCA theory was used to analyze the data,to find out the causes of the problem,and to formulate the corresponding countermeasures to intervene.The data of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of the inpatients in 18 inpatient departments given for the adoption of PDCA cycle in January 2017 were set as the observation group.The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of patients in 18 inpatient departments before adoption of PDCA cycle in December 2016 was set as the control group.The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events satisfaction degree of patients in 18 inpatient departments before and after adoption of PDCA cycle was observed and analyzed.Results:The number of the naked medicine/adverse drug events after implementing the method of PDCA cycle management rate was significantly lower than before the implementation method of PDCA cycle management,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).The satisfaction degree of the inpatients after implementing the method of PDCA cycle management rate was significantly higher than that before the implementation method of PDCA cycle management,and the difference had statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion:Application of PDCA cycle in the management of the naked medicine dispensing about the automatic package can help to reduce the adverse drug events,to improve the safety of drug treatment,and to increase the patients’satisfaction degree.
文摘In recent year,desertification has become one of the most important environmental hazards all over the world,especially in developing countries such as Iran.Understanding the factors impacting on desertification and identifying the regions with high desertification potential are essential to control this phenomenon(i.e.,desertification).The life cycle assessment(LCA)method is essential in assessing the desertification of ecosystems,especially for susceptible ecosystems with high degradation risks.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the desertification potential of Lorestan Province,Iran,based on the LCA method.We selected aridity,fire and dust as three indicators of desertification and collected data from 2000 to 2015.We divided the study area into 6 types of ecoregions according to the climate types(arid,semi-arid and dry sub-humid)and dominant species(Quercus brantii and Astragalus adscendens),and calculated the characteristic factor(CF)of each indicator(aridity,fire and dust)by combining the indicator layers and ecoregion layer of the study area.In a given ecoregion,the sum of CF values of aridity,dust and fire indicators represents the life cycle inventory(LCI)desertification value(the higher the LCI value,the greater the desertification potential).Then,we obtained the desertification potential map by combining and overlapping the ecoregions and the normalized indicators based on the LCA method.Aridity and fire exhibit significant impacts on desertification in the study area compared with dust.In the study area,semi-arid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species is the largest ecoregion,while arid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species is the smallest ecoregion.Arid ecoregion with Astragalus adscendens as the dominant species(LCI desertification value of 1.99)and dry sub-humid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species(LCI desertification value of 0.79)show the highest and lowest desertification potentials,respectively.Furthermore,arid ecoregion with Quercus brantii as the dominant species also has a higher LCI desertification value(1.89),showing a high desertification potential.These results suggest the necessity of proper management and appropriate utilization in these ecoregions.In general,assessing desertification potential using the LCA method on a local and regional scale can possibly provide a new methodology for identifying and protecting areas with high degradation risks.
文摘The present paper deals with the effect of recurrent activity on the foF2 diurnal variation at Ouagadougou station for solar cycles 21 and 22. The recurrent activity produces at daytime positive storm for all solar cycle phases. For all seasons, the recurrent activity causes positive storm during nighttime and has no effect during daytime. From this study, it emerges that a positive effect of the storm at this station may be explained by the thermospheric composition changes. Recurrent activity more occurs during the solar decreasing phase and during spring month. The storm strength shows solar cycle phase and seasonal dependence. The storm strength is the highest during the solar increasing phase and during summer months.
