Co-production of bio-char and syngas by gasification is a promising way for biomass comprehensive utilization. In this work, mainly two co-products from pinewood pellet gasification, namely bio-char ...and syngas were studied on a downdraft reactor. Based on the experiment, a detailed kinetic gasification model was built by Aspen Plus. The influence of temperature, ER, and steam amount was studied. Results of the pyrolysis stage show that bio-char yield during pyrolysis was about 22.8%wt and the initial pore structure was formed with a BET surface area of 36.8 m
2
/g. The main pyrolysis tar compounds detected by GC/MS were furfural and phenols. The gasification stage results show that H
2
concentration reached the maximum of 18.62%vol at ER = 0.3. The maximum concentration of CO was 16.2%vol at ER = 0.25. The syngas yield increased with ER value. At low ER of 0.15, the syngas yield was 1.22 Nm
3
/kg and increased to 2.26 Nm
3
/kg at ER of 0.4. The carbon conversion ratio also increased with ER value. When ER = 0.4, the highest carbon conversion ratio reached 91.7%. The bio-char at gasifier outlet was a kind of highly carbonized material and the carbon content was 82.5%wt. During gasification, pore structure of bio-char was enlarged and the BET-specific surface area was about 215 m
2
/g. Modeling results show that by adjusting the gasification parameters, such as temperature, air equivalent ratio, and steam amount, the product distribution in the gasifier outlet could be effectively controlled. Mass and energy balance evaluation for the downdraft gasification system indicates that the pyrolysis stage and reduction stage are endothermic processes, which adsorb heat of 2.47 kW (Q1) and 2.44 kW (Q2) respectively from the partial oxidation stage. Partial oxidation stage acts as the heat source of the gasifier.
Graphical abstract
Figure
. Biochar and syngas cogernation system based on biomass gasification
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Height-diameter (H-D) models are important tools for forest management practice. Sandy Mongolian pine plantations (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) are a major component of the Three-North ...Afforestation Shelterbelt in Northern China. However, few H-D models are available for Mongolian pine plantations. In this paper we compared different equations found in the literature for predicting tree height, using diameter at breast height and additional stand-level predictor variables. We tested if the additional stand-level predictor variable is necessary to produce more accurate results. The dominant height was used as a stand-level predictor variable to describe the variation of the H-D relationship among plots. We found that the basic mixed-effects H-D model provided a similar predictive accuracy as the generalized mixed-effects H-D model. Moreover, it had the advantage of reducing the sampling effort. The basic mixed-effects H-D model calibration, in which the heights of the two thickest trees in the plot were included to calibrate the random effects, resulted in accurate and reliable individual tree height estimations. Thus, the basic mixed-effects H-D model with the above-described calibration design can be an accurate and cost-effective solution for estimating the heights of Mongolian pine trees in northern China.
Using a combination of field surveys and laboratory analysis, in the Zhanggutai area of Liaoning province, 20 forest plantations of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica in different growth ...stages(including young forests, mid-aged forests, mature forests, and over-mature forests) and 7 neighboring control grasslands were selected. In this paper, the changes in soil bulk density and its influencing factors were studied in the 0-100 cm soil layer of different growth stages after sandy grassland afforestation with P. sylvestris var. mongolica. The results showed that after sandy grassland afforestation, the variance coefficient of soil bulk density was 78% in the 0-10 cm soil layer and the variance coefficient in other soil layers ranged from 1.08% to 4.35%. As the stand age increased, the magnitude of soil bulk density decreased gradually in 0-20 and 60-100 cm soil layers, however, the magnitude decreased firstly and then increased after 37 years in 20-60 cm soil layers, and the magnitude in over-mature forests was s
The objective of this study is to evaluate the progression and new onset of macular retinoschisis (MRS) in the patients treated with intravitreal Conbercept injections for myopic choroidal ...neovascularization (mCNV).
Post-hoc analysis of 160 mCNV patients included in SHINY study was performed to evaluate the impact of Conbercept injection on MRS in patients with mCNV undergoing intravitreal Conbercept injections. The patients were 3:1 randomized to the study group (three loading dose and thereafter pro re nata PRN) and the control group (3 months' sham injection, then one Conbercept injection at month 4 and thereafter PRN). MRS was assessed with optical coherence tomography by masked graders.
At baseline, 28 of 122 eyes in study group and 10 of 38 eyes in control group had MRS. At month 3, two patients showed MRS progression and one patient had new onset MRS in study group. No MRS progression nor new onset MRS was found in the control group. At final visit, the cumulative incidence of MRS was 1.3% (2/160). Both Spearman's correlation and multiple logistic regression demonstrated no association between the progression and new onset of MRS and intravitreal injection frequency (correlation coefficient = 0.017, P = 0.851 and odds ratio = 0.996, P = 0.982). In addition, baseline vitreoretinal adhesion was the most likely potential risk factor resulting in MRS progression (odds ratio = 4.566, P = 0.027). Furthermore, MRS progression was more likely to take place in outer retinal layers.
The progression and new onset of MRS was not associated with the frequency of intravitreal Conbercept injections.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
The mechanism of Plumbagin ameliorates liver fibrosis via a ROS-mediated NF-кB signaling pathway. The oxidative stress and the NF-κB signaling pathway are involved in the process of CCl4-induced rat ...liver fibrosis and that IL-1β-induces HSCs and PL effectively suppresses liver fibrosis via a ROS-mediated NF-кB signaling pathway.
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•Plumbagin significantly prevents CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, as evidenced by attenuated histopathological changes.•In vitro and in vivo regulation of oxidative stress and expression level of NF-κB inflammatory pathway by plumbagin.•Plumbagin significantly reduced ROS expression in IL-1β-stimulated HSCs and inhibited NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation.
The purpose of this study was to investigate plumbagin (PL) on liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo and to explore the underlying mechanisms.
Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was used to establish a rat liver fibrosis model, primary hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were isolated from the rat liver, and fibrosis-related indicators were detected.
The results revealed that PL significantly prevented CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, as evidenced by the attenuation of histopathological changes, the decrease of MDA and the increase of SOD and GSH-P X . In addition, PL downregulated the mRNA levels of NOX4 and procollagen I; the protein expression levels of NOX4 and p-IκB; and the transcriptional activity of NF-κB in liver fibrosis rats. Moreover, PL significantly decreased ROS expression, protein expression of α-SMA and collagen III, and activation of NF-κB and inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in IL-1β-stimulated HSCs in vitro.
The results of our study indicate that PL can mitigate liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo, which may be related to the ROS-mediated NF-кB signaling pathway.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Purpose. To investigate the choroidal thickness (CT) and retinal thickness (RT) in highly myopic tessellated eyes. Methods. In this study, 115 highly myopic eyes were recruited and divided as ...tessellated fundus (n=93) and normal fundus (n=22). RT and CT were quantified using optical coherence tomography with enhanced depth imaging (EDI-OCT). Correlation between subfoveal CT (SFCT) and tessellation was analyzed using logistic regression models. Results. Tessellated fundus eyes had thinner CT than did normal fundus eyes, while RT was not statistically different across groups. The tessellated eyes had a thinner choroid than did the control eyes at all measured macular locations (all P<0.05). After adjustment for AL, age, and gender, the SFCT was significantly associated with tessellation. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.975 (0.960–0.990, P=0.001, binary logistics regression) and 0.991 (0.984–0.999, P=0.022, Cox regression). The area under the curve (AUC) of SFCT was the greatest for detecting tessellation (AUC = 0.824, P<0.001). For sensitivity and specificity analyses, SFCT had the highest diagnostic value (sensitivity = 81.8%, specificity = 74.2%). Conclusions. Highly myopic eyes with tessellation have thinner CT than do normal highly myopic eyes. CT may serve as an early pathologic predictor of high myopia.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
To observe the vitreous in highly myopic eyes with posterior precortical vitreous pockets (PPVPs) using enhanced vitreous imaging of spectral domain optical coherence tomography.
Fifty-two highly ...myopic eyes with PPVPs of 36 patients were included in this study. All subjects underwent enhanced vitreous imaging optical coherence tomography. The size of PPVPs was measured, and the frequency of imaging features was recorded.
Nine imaging features of the vitreous in highly myopic eyes with PPVPs were found. The average age of subjects was 38.1 ± 10.8 years. The mean height of PPVPs was 1,177 ± 704 μm, and the mean width was 7,440 ± 755 μm. Hyperreflective line and the interlayer were observed in 30 (57.7%) eyes. Hyperreflective dots were found in 37 (71.2%) eyes. More central vitreous space was more frequently detected in younger patients. Prevascular vitreous fissure was detected in 7 (13.5%) eyes. W-shaped cavity, identified as an empty space with a smooth W-shaped edge, was demonstrated to be the fusion of Cloquet's canal and the extension of PPVPs. Perpendicular hyperreflective parallel strands were detected in 3 (5.8%) eyes. Hyperreflective network was observed in 10 (19.2%) eyes. Hyperreflective parapapillary tubercle was found in 7 (13.5%) eyes.
Nine imaging features of the vitreous in highly myopic eyes with PPVPs were visualized by enhanced vitreous imaging optical coherence tomography.
Flower color, including color hues and spot patterns, is an extremely important trait in Asiatic hybrid lilies. Investigating flower color variation across different cross combinations may help us ...select breeding parents efficiently. Thus, three hybridizations with different compositions of anthocyanins and carotenoids were performed, and 65, 289 and 125 offspring were obtained, respectively. For the parents and progenies, flower color hues were quantified by the CIELAB system, and the total number of raised spots on tepals was counted. Then, a cluster analysis and a statistical analysis were used to explore the inheritance patterns of flower color. The results showed that an orange flower color with high levels of carotenoids was highly heritable and that the progenies were less segregated, showing orange, orange-red, and yellow flowers. Parents showing red and purple-red flowers with differing levels of carotenoids and anthocyanins produced offspring with extensive segregation, including pink-white, pink, orange-pink, orange-red, yellow, and orange flowers. Meanwhile, different contents of anthocyanins and carotenoids resulted in variable proportions in color groups. Additionally, for F1 generation, the number of raised spots was continuously separated, demonstrating distinct quantitative genetic characteristics. For parents with few or intermediate spots, the hybrid plants showed both prominent negative and positive heterosis. For parents with many spots that covered almost the full tepals, the hybrid seedlings all exhibited raised spots.
Utilizing a new method to structure parallellotopes, a geometrical interpretation of the inverse matrix is given, which includes the generalized inverse of full column rank or a full row rank ...matrices. Further, some relational volume formulas of parallellotopes are established.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The Omicron BA.5.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has undergone several evolutionary adaptations, leading to multiple subvariants. Rapid and accurate characterization of these subvariants is essential for ...effective treatment, particularly in critically ill patients. This study leverages Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to elucidate the clinical and immunological features across different Omicron BA.5.2 subvariants.
We enrolled 28 patients infected with the Omicron variant, hospitalized in Zhangjiajie People's Hospital, Hunan, China, between January 20, 2023, and March 31, 2023. Throat swabs were collected upon admission for NGS-based identification of Omicron subvariants. Clinical data, including qSOFA scores and key laboratory tests, were collated. A detailed analysis of lymphocyte subsets was conducted to ascertain the extent of immune cell damage and disease severity.
Patients were infected with various Omicron subvariants, including BA.5.2.48, BA.5.2.49, BA.5.2.6, BF.7.14, DY.1, DY.2, DY.3, and DY.4. Despite having 43 identical mutation sites, each subvariant exhibited unique marker mutations. Critically ill patients demonstrated significant depletion in total lymphocyte count, T cells, CD4, CD8, B cells, and NK cells (
). However, there were no significant differences in clinical and immunological markers across the subvariants.
This study reveals that critically ill patients infected with different Omicron BA.5.2 subvariants experience similar levels of cellular immune dysfunction and inflammatory response. Four mutations - ORF1a:K3353R, ORF1a:L3667F, ORF1b:S997P, S:T883I showed correlation with immunological responses although this conclusion suffers from the small sample size. Our findings underscore the utility of NGS in the comprehensive assessment of infectious diseases, contributing to more effective clinical decision-making.
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