•Microwave-enhanced fast pyrolysis is reported for heating rates of 1–50 °C/s.•33 Biomass samples and blends were tested for feedstock composition impacts.•Mineral content and volatile matter ...accounted for the most liquid yield variability.•The same parameters also predicted water and acid content in the liquid product.•Observed bio-oil yields did not increase for heating rates >10 °C/s.
The products from fast pyrolysis of biomass are variable and highly dependent upon feedstock composition, particle size and geometry, and operating conditions such as heating rate, reaction temperature, and sweep gas composition and velocity. Microwave heating is internal to the biomass particles, thereby avoiding convective and conductive heat transfer limitations, which facilitates decoupling heat transfer effects from chemical reaction kinetics. This separation allows for elucidation of the primary effects of the original materials’ composition on product yields. To better understand the interconnectedness of biomass composition and fast pyrolysis (pyrolysis liquid oil yield in particular), a high throughput microwave-enhanced fast pyrolysis (MEFP) reactor was used to react 33 biomass samples with a minimum of three replicate tests each. The materials in this study included: woody feedstocks (with and without bark), agricultural residues, herbaceous energy crops, and blended feedstocks. The highest liquid yields were obtained from lumber (66.2 wt%) and tulip poplar (64.9 wt%), while the lowest yields were obtained from sorghum (47.8 wt%) and single-pass harvested corn stover (48.5 wt%). Liquid yields had an average standard deviation of 1.4 wt% (average 2.5% relative standard deviation). The MEFP achieved heating rates up to 200 °C/s, however, beyond 10 °C/s liquid oil plateaued with increasing heating rate. Multivariate regression of pyrolysis yields with over 20 feedstock properties, obtained through detailed compositional analysis, indicates that aggregated alkali and alkaline Earth metals (primarily K and Na, along with Ca and Mg) accounted for the most variability among liquid yields (R2 = 0.71). Addition of volatile matter as a second predictor variable achieved the greatest reduction of the model residuals to increase the coefficient of regression (R2) to 0.85. Liquid yield water fraction increased linearly with feedstock potassium and sodium content over a much wider range than previously observed. Pyrolysis oil acid content was found to increase with increasing volatile matter and decreasing potassium and sodium content.
Right ventricular failure (RVF) varies significantly from the more common left ventricular failure (LVF). This study was undertaken to determine potential molecular pathways that are important in ...human right ventricular (RV) function and may mediate RVF.
We analyzed mRNA of human non-failing LV and RV samples and RVF samples from patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and post-LVAD implantation. We then performed transcript analysis to determine differential expression of genes in the human heart samples. Immunoblot quantification was performed followed by analysis of non-failing and failing phenotypes.
Inflammatory pathways were more commonly dysregulated in RV tissue (both non-failing and failing phenotypes). In non-failing human RV tissue we found important differences in expression of FIGF, TRAPPAC, and CTGF suggesting that regulation of normal RV and LV function are not the same. In failing RV tissue, FBN2, CTGF, SMOC2, and TRAPP6AC were differentially expressed, and are potential targets for further study.
This work provides some of the first analyses of the molecular heterogeneity between human RV and LV tissue, as well as key differences in human disease (RVF secondary to pulmonary hypertension and LVAD mediated RVF). Our transcriptional data indicated that inflammatory pathways may be more important in RV tissue, and changes in FIGF and CTGF supported this hypothesis. In PAH RV failure samples, upregulation of FBN2 and CTGF further reinforced the potential significance that altered remodeling and inflammation play in normal RV function and failure.
Spectrins are cytoskeletal proteins essential for membrane biogenesis and regulation and serve critical roles in protein targeting and cellular signaling. αII spectrin (SPTAN1) is one of two α ...spectrin genes and αII spectrin dysfunction is linked to alterations in axon initial segment formation, cortical lamination, and neuronal excitability. Furthermore, human αII spectrin loss-of-function variants cause neurological disease. As global αII spectrin knockout mice are embryonic lethal, the in vivo roles of αII spectrin in adult heart are unknown and untested. Here, based on pronounced alterations in αII spectrin regulation in human heart failure we tested the in vivo roles of αII spectrin in the vertebrate heart. We created a mouse model of cardiomyocyte-selective αII spectrin-deficiency (cKO) and used this model to define the roles of αII spectrin in cardiac function. αII spectrin cKO mice displayed significant structural, cellular, and electrical phenotypes that resulted in accelerated structural remodeling, fibrosis, arrhythmia, and mortality in response to stress. At the molecular level, we demonstrate that αII spectrin plays a nodal role for global cardiac spectrin regulation, as αII spectrin cKO hearts exhibited remodeling of αI spectrin and altered β-spectrin expression and localization. At the cellular level, αII spectrin deficiency resulted in altered expression, targeting, and regulation of cardiac ion channels NaV1.5 and KV4.3. In summary, our findings define critical and unexpected roles for the multifunctional αII spectrin protein in the heart. Furthermore, our work provides a new in vivo animal model to study the roles of αII spectrin in the cardiomyocyte.
Lymphocyte- and leukocyte-mediated lymph node (LN) lymphatic sinus growth (lymphangiogenesis) is involved in immune responses and in diseases including cancer and arthritis. We previously discovered ...a 10.1.1 Ab that recognizes the lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) surface protein mCLCA1, which is an interacting partner for LFA1 and Mac-1 that mediates lymphocyte adhesion to LECs. Here, we show that 10.1.1 Ab treatment specifically induces LEC proliferation, and influences migration and adhesion in vitro. Functional testing by injection of mice with 10.1.1 Ab but not control hamster Abs identified rapid induction of LN LEC proliferation and extensive lymphangiogenesis within 23 h. BrdU pulse-chase analysis demonstrated incorporation of proliferating LYVE-1-positive LEC into the growing medullary lymphatic sinuses. The 10.1.1 Ab-induced LN remodeling involved coordinate increases in LECs and also blood endothelial cells, fibroblastic reticular cells, and double negative stroma, as is observed during the LN response to inflammation. 10.1.1 Ab-induced lymphangiogenesis was restricted to LNs, as mCLCA1-expressing lymphatic vessels of the jejunum and dermis were unaffected by 23 h 10.1.1 Ab treatment. These findings demonstrate that 10.1.1 Ab rapidly and specifically induces proliferation and growth of LN lymphatic sinuses and stroma, suggesting a key role of mCLCA1 in coordinating LN remodeling during immune responses.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
To compare weekly training and game demands according to playing position in basketball players.
A longitudinal, observational study was adopted. Semiprofessional, male basketball players categorized ...as backcourt (guards; n = 4) and frontcourt players (forwards/centers; n = 4) had their weekly workloads monitored across an entire season. External workload was determined using microsensors and included PlayerLoad™ (PL) and inertial movement analysis variables. Internal workload was determined using heart rate to calculate absolute and relative summated-heart-rate-zones workload and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to calculate session-RPE workload. Comparisons between weekly training and game demands were made using linear mixed models and effect sizes in each positional group.
In backcourt players, higher relative PL (P = .04, very large) and relative summated-heart-rate-zones workload (P = .007, very large) were evident during training, while greater session-RPE workload (P = .001, very large) was apparent during games. In frontcourt players, greater PL (P < .001, very large), relative PL (P = .019, very large), peak PL intensities (P < .001, moderate), high-intensity inertial movement analysis events (P = .002, very large), total inertial movement analysis events (P < .001, very large), summated-heart-rate-zones workload (P < .001, very large), RPE (P < .001, very large), and session-RPE workload (P < .001, very large) were evident during games.
Backcourt players experienced similar demands between training and games across several variables, with higher average workload intensities during training. Frontcourt players experienced greater demands across all variables during games than training. These findings emphasize the need for position-specific preparation strategies leading into games in basketball teams.
To compare weekly training, game, and overall (training and games) demands across phases of the regular season in basketball.
Seven semiprofessional, male basketball players were monitored during all ...on-court team-based training sessions and games during the regular season. External monitoring variables included PlayerLoad™ and inertial movement analysis events per minute. Internal monitoring variables included a modified summated heart rate zones model calculated per minute and rating of perceived exertion. Linear mixed models were used to compare training, game, and overall demands between 5-week phases (early, middle, and late) of the regular season with significance set at P ≤ .05. Effect sizes were calculated between phases and interpreted as: trivial, <0.20; small, 0.20 to 0.59; moderate, 0.60 to 1.19; large, 1.20 to 1.99; very large, ≥2.00.
Greater (P > .05) overall inertial movement analysis events (moderate-very large) and rating of perceived exertion (moderate) were evident in the late phase compared with earlier phases. During training, more accelerations were evident in the middle (P = .01, moderate) and late (P = .05, moderate) phases compared with the early phase, while higher rating of perceived exertion (P = .04, moderate) was evident in the late phase compared with earlier phases. During games, nonsignificant, trivial-small differences in demands were apparent between phases.
Training and game demands should be interpreted in isolation and combined given overall player demands increased as the season progressed, predominantly due to modifications in training demands given the stability of game demands. Periodization strategies administered by coaching staff may have enabled players to train at greater intensities late in the season without compromising game intensity.
Finger-length ratios and sexual orientation Breedlove, S. Marc; Williams, Terrance J; Pepitone, Michelle E ...
Nature (London),
03/2000, Letnik:
404, Številka:
6777
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Animal models have indicated that androgenic steroids acting before birth
might influence the sexual orientation of adult humans. Here we examine the
androgen-sensitive pattern of finger lengths, and ...find evidence
that homosexual women are exposed to more prenatal androgen than heterosexual
women are; also, men with more than one older brother, who are more likely
than first-born males to be homosexual in adulthood, are exposed
to more prenatal androgen than eldest sons. Prenatal androgens may therefore
influence adult human sexual orientation in both sexes, and a mother's body
appears to 'remember' previously carried sons, altering the fetal
development of subsequent sons and increasing the likelihood of homosexuality
in adulthood.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Preprocessing with air classification, followed by a hybrid biochemical/thermochemical conversion scheme, was utilized to improve the quality of short rotation woody coppice (SRWC) for biofuels ...production. Air classification improved sugar release during enzymatic hydrolysis by 6–12% for poplar and willow coppice respectively. Total theoretical sugar release for these hardwood coppices was ~70%, which suggests that they could be utilized for biochemical conversion. Improved sugar yields after air classification were tied to compositional changes of reduced ash and extractives which can neutralize dilute acid pretreatment and inhibit fermentation. However, air classification was shown to have little to no effect on pyrolytic thermochemical conversion as it removed material without returning a significant improvement in liquid yield. It was also shown that pyrolysis of biochemical conversion lignin rich residue gives liquid yields comparable to whole tree (without any fractionation) pyrolysis, with a higher quality oil that has ~60% reduced total acid number. Using this combined biochemical/thermochemical conversion strategy can improve yields of fermentable sugars and pyrolysis liquid above 80%, instead of the 60% yield of sugars or bio-oil when using a single conversion strategy. Overall, it has been shown that preprocessing and hybrid conversion pathways are a viable strategy for maximizing biorefinery viability.
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