•SOFC-GT CCHP system contains highly coupled equipment units for energy supplies.•Multi-supply-multi-demand (MSMD) control has algorithms of rolling optimization (RO) and feedback correction (FC).•RO ...is first used to determine operation parameters based on forecasting loading information.•FC is then applied to refine them according to actual building energy demands.•MSMD control was effective to match energy demands at lower primary energy consumption.
Combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system with the prime mover set of solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine (SOFC-GT) would feature with high electrical efficiency, but contain the highly coupled equipment units for cooling, heating and electricity supplies. Due to such complex nature of multiple supplies and demands, the previously developed control strategies were not suitable, and it is a challenge to develop an appropriate control strategy for the SOFC-GT CCHP system. Therefore, a new approach, called multi-supply-multi-demand (MSMD) control strategy, is proposed in this paper. The MSMD control includes two core algorithms: rolling optimization (RO) and feedback correction (FC). RO is used to determine the operation of energy supply equipment units based on the forecasting weather and loading information of the next 24 h. FC is applied for continual mitigation in case any difference between the actual and predicted energy demands. In the SOFC-GT CCHP system with energy storages for building application, the effectiveness of the MSMD control strategy was tested. It was found that RO could determine the operating schedules of the related equipment units at lower primary energy consumption than the conventional mean, while FC could effectively rectify the prediction errors incurred from the real-time loading conditions.
Shock compression and spallation of a low-cost cobalt-free medium-entropy alloy (MEA), Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 (at%), with a face-centered-cubic structure are investigated via plate impact experiments, to ...reveal its dynamic mechanical properties and corresponding microscopic deformation/damage mechanisms. The Hugoniot equation of state, yield strength, spall strength and pullback rate are obtained from free-surface velocity histories. Post-deformation samples are characterized with transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction. The Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 MEA exhibits a good balance in spall strength and ductility (low pullback rate) at a relatively low cost, compared to several other types of medium/high entropy alloys and steels. At sufficiently high impact velocity (e.g., 500 ms−1 here), nanoscale deformation twinning becomes a key deformation mechanism for Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 MEA in addition to dislocation slip. During spallation, voids (i.e., damage) nucleate preferentially at grain boundary triple junctions, and grow isotropically with increasing loading. Owing to fine grains and strong plastic deformation capability of the Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 MEA, void coalescence is accomplished by intragranular shear deformation bands and cracks, which contributes to its high ductility.
•Hugoniot EOS of Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 is obtained.•Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 MEA exhibits good balance between spall strength and ductility.•Nanoscale deformation twinning occurs at high-velocity impact.•Voids nucleate at grain boundaries, and coalesce via intragranular fracture.
•MSTN−/− pigs subcutaneous adipose tissue clearly showed characteristic multilocular lipid droplets like beige adipose in contrast to the tissues from WT pigs.•MSTN gene deletion in adipose tissue ...activates the browning of white fat via the AMPK signaling pathway.•MSTN−/− skeletal muscle secretes IL-6 and modulates the AMPK pathway in adipocytes, and induces white adipose conversion into beige adipose in pigs.
Myostatin (MSTN) is primarily expressed in skeletal muscle and plays an important role in the regulation of muscle growth and development as well as fat deposition; however, little is known about the molecular mechanism through which MSTN regulates body fat deposition. Therefore, in this study, we sought to identify the signaling pathways through which MSTN regulates fat accumulation in pigs. MSTN knockout (MSTN−/−) pigs showed increased muscle mass, decreased fat mass, and a leaner body composition. In this study, we found that the adipose tissue of MSTN−/− pigs exhibits the characteristics of beige adipose tissue, and the mRNA expression levels of beige adipose marker genes, including UCP3, Cidea, and CD137, were significantly increased. Remarkably, the observed beige phenotype was not adipocyte autonomous but rather caused by muscle-secreted myokine interleukin (IL)-6. This occurrence results in increased AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in adipose tissue, which subsequently activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α and the conversion of white adipocytes to beige in pigs. Therefore, we concluded that MSTN deficiency leads to increased IL-6 secretion in skeletal muscle and activates AMPK in adipocytes, thereby increasing the beige adipose tissue in MSTN−/− pigs.
Summary
Background
The KIT gene plays an important role in the pathogenesis of malignant melanoma (MM). In recent years, activating mutations in KIT have been recognized as oncogenic. A number of ...therapies have been established, which provide significant clinical benefits for patients with MM with KIT mutations. Thus, detection of KIT mutations can have profound therapeutic implications.
Aim
To investigate KIT gene expression in MMs in Chinese Uyghur and Han patients with mutations in KIT, and to identify the clinical features associated with KIT mutations and c‐KIT expression.
Methods
In total, 105 MMs (56 from Uyghur and 49 from Han patients) were selected from patients in the Uyghur Autonomous region. Formalin‐fixed, paraffin wax‐embedded tumour sections were analysed for c‐KIT expression using immunohistochemistry. Exons 11 and 13 of KIT were analysed for the presence of mutations using PCR amplification and DNA sequencing.
Results
Of the 105 MMs, 13 (10 Han and 3 Uyghur) were found to have mutations in KIT. Thus, the frequency of KIT mutations in Han patients was significantly higher than that in Uyghur patients (P = 0.02). We detected c‐KIT expression in 71.4% and 42.9% of the tumour tissue samples collected from the Uyghur and Han patients, respectively.
Conclusion
In the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, chronic sun‐induced damage MM is the most prevalent MM among Chinese Uyghur patients, whereas acral and mucosal MMs are the most prevalent in Uyghur patients. Mutations in the KIT gene do not correlate with c‐KIT expression.
Summary Objectives The human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important cause of some head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), but its role in cancer of the lateral tongue is debatable. Suspicion ...of HPV causation is heightened when these lateral tongue carcinomas arise in patients that are young and/or have never smoked. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of transcriptionally active high risk HPV in these tumors, with a particular emphasis on non-smoking patients who are often presumed to have HPV-positive tumors. Methods We evaluated 78 HNSCCs of the lateral tongue for the presence of HPV using p16 immunohistochemistry and an RNA in situ hybridization assay targeting HPV E6/E7 mRNA. The study population was enriched for patients without traditional risk factors such as smoking and drinking. Results P16 overexpression was detected in 9 (11.5%) of 78 cases, but HPV E6/E7 mRNA transcripts were detected in only 1 (1.3%) case (positive predictive value of p16 staining for the presence of transcriptionally active HPV = 0.12). HPV mRNA transcripts were not detected in any patient under 40 ( n = 11), or in patients who had never smoked ( n = 44), had quit smoking ( n = 15), and/or were only light consumers of alcohol ( n = 57). Conclusions HPV is not detected in the vast majority of lateral tongue carcinomas. In light of the observation that HPV plays little if any role in the development of these cancers, routine HPV testing is unwarranted , even for patients without traditional risk factors. P16 staining is not a reliable marker for the presence of transcriptionally active HPV at this particular anatomic site.
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•A comprehensive life cycle assessment approach for renewable multi-energy systems.•Life cycle primary energy consumption, economy cost, and carbon emission is evaluated.•Sensitivity ...analysis on rated capacity, life span, recycle ratio and interest rate.•Representative office building design in UK and real-life inventory data is adopted.•Useful guidelines for government in policymaking and engineers in retrofitting works.
In response to the gradual degradation of natural sources, there is a growing interest in adopting renewable resources for various building energy supply. In this study, a comprehensive life cycle assessment approach is proposed for a renewable multi-energy system (MES) to evaluate its primary energy consumption, economy cost and carbon emission from cradle to grave. The MES, consisting of passive side and active side, is fully driven by renewable energy including solar, wind and biomass. On the passive side, building integrated photovoltaic, solar collector and wind turbines are adopted. On the active side, the biomass-fuelled combined cooling heating and power system (CCHP) serves as the primary energy supplier. The electric compression chiller and biomass boiler are adopted when the thermal energy from the CCHP system is not sufficient, while electricity is imported from the city power grid when the electricity demand is low. A representative office building in the United Kingdom and real-life inventory data is adopted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed life cycle assessment approach. Through life cycle assessment, the advantages and disadvantages of the MES are compared with the reference CCHP system and conventional separate system in view of life cycle primary energy consumption, economy cost and carbon emission. Moreover, to gain an insight into the life cycle performance, the sensitivity analysis is conducted on the rated capacity of the power generation unit, climate zones, life span, recycle ratio and interest rate. The life cycle cost of MES is relatively higher than the conventional separate system mainly owing to the high construction cost of BIPV, wind turbine, solar collector and biomass feedstock. However, its life cycle primary energy consumption and carbon emission are much lower. It is believed that the proposed life cycle assessment approach can provide useful guidelines for government in policymaking and for building engineers in retrofitting works.
MicroRNAs alter multiple cell processes and thus influence tumour carcinogenesis and progression. MiR-100 and miR-99a have been reported to be aberrantly expressed in acute leukaemia. In this study, ...we focused on their functions in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and the molecular networks in which they are involved.
MiR-100 and miR-99a expression levels were measured in acute leukaemia patients by qRT-PCR. Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests were used to calculate the survival rate. Three human ALL cell lines were studied. Apoptosis and proliferation were analysed using siRNA transfection, western blot and flow cytometry.
In vivo, miR-100 and miR-99a were down-regulated in 111 ALL patients, especially in high-risk groups; their expression levels were correlated with the patient's 5-year survival. In vitro, the restoration of miR-100 and miR-99a in ALL cells suppressed cell proliferation and increased dexamethasone-induced cell apoptosis. Ectopic expression of miR-100 and miR-99a targeted FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) and, in turn, influenced glucocorticoid receptor (GR) activity. Meanwhile, miR-100 and miR-99a overexpression inhibited the expression of IGF1R and mTOR and their downstream oncogene MCL1.
MiR-100 and miR-99a have critical roles in altering cellular processes by targeting both the FKBP51 and IGF1R/mTOR signalling pathways in vitro and might represent a potential novel strategy for ALL treatment.
•Cellulose cleavage started at the temperature above 150°C.•Hemicelluloses removal could only reach to a certain level.•Severe degradation of cellulose occurred when hemicelluloses removal exceeded ...the certain level.•Allomorphs of cellulose conversion observed in the process of the pretreatment.
A systematic hydrothermal pretreatment of bamboo chips had been conducted with an aim to trace the cellulose degradation. The results showed that cellulose chain cleavage basically occurred when the temperature exceeded 150°C. A slightly higher DP (degree of polymerization) than starting material had been observed at low temperature pretreatment. Treatment at higher temperature (⩾170°C) caused severe cleavage of cellulose and therefore gave rise to low DP with more soluble species. DP of cellulose declined drastically without additional hemicelluloses dissolution when hemicelluloses removal reached to the limit level. Cellulose degradation under hydrothermal pretreatment generally followed the zero reaction kinetics with the activity energy of 121.0kJ/mol. Besides, the increase of cellulose crystalline index and the conversion of Iα–Iβ had also observed at the hydrothermal pretreatment.
In building application, sensor faults in chilled water system would cause extra electricity consumption or thermal comfort problems. In the computerized building management system, it is important ...to automatically detect, diagnose and correct different categories of sensor faults. To realise this aim, a novel 2-stage pattern recognition-enhanced sensor fault detection and diagnosis (PRe-SFDD) was formulated. At the first-stage pattern recognition, various featuring patterns were generated through sensor reading datasets from both fault-free and different faulty test cases. At the second-stage pattern recognition, one-day featuring patterns were used to diagnose the sensor faults of positive bias, negative bias, precision degradation and general drift; while 3-day featuring patterns would allow further recognise the drift fault to be positive or negative. Hence, different categories of sensor faults could be automatically detected, diagnosed and corrected through the proposed pattern recognition strategy. For a representative chiller plant, it was found that the successful diagnosis ratio of the 2-stage PRe-SFDD were 97.9%, 100%, 96.4%, 95.4% and 98.1% for positive bias, negative bias, precision degradation, positive drift and negative drift, respectively. In addition, characteristic curves of clustering score values were constructed for correction of the extent of sensor faults.
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