Gas-liquid-liquid extraction in a novel rotating microchannel extractor

In this work,a novel rotating microchannel extractor(RME)is designed and further used for the extraction of chromium(Ⅲ)from water.Unexpectedly,the micro-extraction had the same effect as carrying out 2.9-stage cross-flow extractions.Various factors,including the gas intake methods,gas intake quantity(Qg),distance between inner rotor and outer wall(D),rotational inner rotor speed(R)and volumetric flow rate(Qa,Qo),were selected to investigate their effect on the extraction efficiency(η)thoroughly.The relation map ofηwith Weaand We(o-g)for RME provides a comprehension for the gas–liquid–liquid extraction process in this RME system.

Study on an improved rotating microchannel separator in the intensification for demulsification and separation process

An improved rotating microchannel(IRM) separator was further explored in the intensification for demulsification and separation process. Oil-in-water(O/W) emulsion system of 2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid-2-ethylhexyl ester(P507)–water without emulsifier was employed to evaluate the performance of the new equipment. In this experiment, the influence on demulsification separation process was explored by changing the geometrical structure and channel height of the microchannel and combining the liquid–liquid two-phase flow pattern, and the correlation general graph between demulsification efficiency and dimensionless parameters was established. The total demulsification effect of the IRM and the separation capacity of the clear organic phase recovered from demulsification are significantly improved. In addition, the liquid–liquid two-phase flow pattern of the clear organic phase after demulsification and the remaining emulsion in the IRM are observed and recorded by high-speed photography. The separation ability of organic phase from the upper outlet can be significantly improved when the total demulsification rate of IRM is up to 90%. There are 3 types and 6 kinds of flow patterns observed. The results demonstrated that the suitable demulsification performance is obtained when the liquid–liquid two-phase inside the IRM is in a parallel pattern. Finally, the relation map between total demulsification efficiency and the universal flow is drawn, which provides a basis for the accurate control of the IRM device.

Use of electrosense in the feeding behavior of sturgeons

The electro-receptive lateral line system appeared early in the evolutionary history of fish.Sturgeons,members of the primitive Chondrostei group,are known for their electroreceptors(ampullae of Lorenzini)on the head,which are thought to be sensitive to weak electric fields in aquatic environments and involved in feeding,mating and migration.Here,we report the results of a set of behavioral and electrophysiological experiments designed to determine the function and characteristics of the electrosense in cultured sturgeons.The results showed Sibe-rian sturgeon(Acipenser baerii Brandt,1869)feeding striking at bio-electric fields produced by living feed-fish enclosed in a gel chamber and at the corrosion field produced by metal rods.With an electric stimulus that mim-ics the bio-electric fields produced by living prey,the relative discharge rate of electrosensory neurons in the dorsal octavolateralis nucleus(DON)was modulated by and phase-locked to sinusoidal stimulus and some units showed selectivity for dipolar direction in white sturgeon(Acipenser transmontanus Richardson,1836).This is the first study to provide the empirical evidence correlating with electrosensory behaviors and electrophysiolog-ical responses in cultured sturgeons,and suggesting that electrosense does play an innate role in feeding behav-ior of sturgeon.We believe this will have important implications for protecting sturgeons in the wild.

Functional C1q is present in the skin mucus of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii)

The skin mucus of fish acts as the first line of self-protection against pathogens in the aquatic environment and comprises a number of innate immune components.However,the presence of the critical classical complement component C1q,which links the innate and adaptive immune systems of mammalians,has not been explored in a primitive actinopterygian fish.In this study,we report that C1q is present in the skin mucus of the Siberian sturgeon(Acipenser baerii).The skin mucus was able to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli.The bacteriostatic activity of the skin mucus was reduced by heating and by pre-incubation with EDTA or mouse anti-human C1q antibody.We also detected C1q protein in skin mucus using the western blot procedure and isolated a cDNA that encodes the Siberian sturgeon C1qC,which had 44.7–51.4%identity with C1qCs in teleosts and tetrapods.A phylogenetic analysis revealed that Siberian sturgeon C1qC lies at the root of the actinopterygian branch and is separate from the tetrapod branch.The C1qC transcript was expressed in many tissues as well as in skin.Our data indicate that C1q is present in the skin mucus of the Siberian sturgeon to protect against water-borne bacteria,and the C1qC found in the sturgeon may represent the primitive form of teleost and tetrapod C1qCs.

The double mutations of acvr2aa and acvr2ba leads to muscle hypertrophy in zebrafish

Activin A receptor,type II(Acvr2)is a member of the transforming growth factor beta receptor family and can function as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass.Acvr2 plays an important role in regulating muscle development that can inhibit skeletal muscle growth in mice.However,there is very little research reported on the function of acvr2 in muscle development of teleost.In this study,we analyzed the effect of acvr2aa and acvr2ba on muscle development in zebrafish.Growth rates of WT and acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀were measured from juvenile stage to adult stage.In addition,effects of acvr2 on skeletal muscle were tested in histological,protein and molecular levels.As a result,acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀exhibited a wider body trunk than WT and showed a significant increase in body weight and width from two months old.Histological analysis of skeletal muscle indicated that the size of muscle fiber in acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀(female:1809±123μm^(2);male:2261±130μm^(2))was larger than that in WT(709.8±49μm^(2);815±53μm^(2)).In addition,western blot of fast MyLc protein showed the protein synthesis of acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀are increased.Besides,Histological analysis of heart showed the ventricle area is aslo increased in acvr2a^(-/-b-/-)􀀀.Our results demonstrated acvr2 attends the development of muscle fiber and will cause muscle hypertrophy when they were knocked out in zebrafish.In conclusion,acvr2 in zebrafish can control the development of muscle fibers during posthatch growth.