Enhanced removal of ultra fi ne particles from kerosene combustion using a dielectric barrier discharge reactor packed with porous alumina balls

Ultrafine particles(UFPs)are harmful to human beings,and their effective removal from the environment is an urgent necessity.In this study,a dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)reactor packed with porous alumina(PA)balls driven by a pulse power supply was developed to remove the UFPs(ranging from 20 to 100 nm)from the exhaust gases of kerosene combustion.Five types of DBD reactors were established to evaluate the effect of plasma catalysis on the removal efficiency of UFPs.The influences of gasflow rate,peak voltage and pulse frequency of different reactors on UFPs removal were investigated.It was found that a high total UFP removal of 91.4%can be achieved in the DBD reactor entirely packed with PA balls.The results can be attributed to the enhanced charge effect of the UFPs with PA balls in the discharge space.The UFP removals by diffusion deposition and electrostatic attraction were further calculated,indicating that particle charging is vital to achieve high removal efficiency for UFPs.

Modular Extremely Large-Scale Array Communication:Near-Field Modelling and Performance Analysis

This paper investigates the wireless communication with a novel architecture of antenna arrays,termed modular extremely large-scale array(XLarray),where array elements of an extremely large number/size are regularly mounted on a shared platform with both horizontally and vertically interlaced modules.Each module consists of a moderate/flexible number of array elements with the inter-element distance typically in the order of the signal wavelength,while different modules are separated by the relatively large inter-module distance for convenience of practical deployment.By accurately modelling the signal amplitudes and phases,as well as projected apertures across all modular elements,we analyse the near-field signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)performance for modular XL-array communications.Based on the non-uniform spherical wave(NUSW)modelling,the closed-form SNR expression is derived in terms of key system parameters,such as the overall modular array size,distances of adjacent modules along all dimensions,and the user's three-dimensional(3D)location.In addition,with the number of modules in different dimensions increasing infinitely,the asymptotic SNR scaling laws are revealed.Furthermore,we show that our proposed near-field modelling and performance analysis include the results for existing array architectures/modelling as special cases,e.g.,the collocated XL-array architecture,the uniform plane wave(UPW)based far-field modelling,and the modular extremely large-scale uniform linear array(XL-ULA)of onedimension.Extensive simulation results are presented to validate our findings.

Chemotherapy induces breast cancer stem cell enrichment through repression of glutathione S-transferase Mu

Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)has aggressive characteristics as exemplified by the high risk of recurrence,metastasis,and patient mortality.1 Cytotoxic chemotherapy may reduce tumor burden initially,but leave behind chemo-resistant breast cancer stem cells(BCSCs)that lead to tumor recurrence and metastasis.2 Chemotherapy induces BCsC enrichment through the activation of glutathione biosynthesis pathways,which increases intracellular glutathione levels and specifies the BCSC phenotype through complicated downstream signaling pathways.3 Glutathione S-transferases(GSTs),a superfamily(which contains seven cytosolic classes:Alpha,Kappa,Mu,Omega,Pi,Theta,and Zeta,and one microsomal class MGSTs)of phase Il enzymes that catalyze the conjugation of glutathione with electrophilic compounds,play a critical role in detoxification and chemotherapy resistance of cancer cells.However,the role of GSTs in the regulation of BCSCs is largely elusive.

Unveiling a novel entry gate:Insect foregut as an alternative infection route for fungal entomopathogens

Insects and their natural microbial pathogens are intertwined in constant arms races,with pathogens continually seeking entry into susceptible hosts through distinct routes.Entomopathogenic fungi are primarily believed to infect host insects through external cuticle penetration.Here,we report a new variety,Beauveria bassiana var.majus(Bbm),that can infect insects through the previously unrecognized foregut.Dual routes of infection significantly accelerate insect mortality.The pH-responsive transcription factor PacC in Bbm exhibits rapid upregulation and efficient proteolytic processing via PalC for alkaline adaptation in the foregut.Expression of PalC is regulated by the adjacent downstream gene Aia.Compared to non-enteropathogenic strains such as ARSEF252,Aia in Bbm lacks a 249-bp fragment,resulting in its enhanced alkaline-induced expression.This induction promotes PalC upregulation and facilitates PacC activation.Expressing the active form of BbmPacC in ARSEF252 enables intestinal infection.This study uncovers the pH-responsive Aia-PalC-PacC cascade enhancing fungal alkaline tolerance for intestinal infection,laying the foundation for developing a new generation of fungal insecticides to control destructive insect pests.

Targeting hypoxia-induced CBS expression inhibits breast cancer stem cells through the induction of ferroptosis

Triple-negative breast cancer(TNBC)has a poor prognosis because of its aggressive characteristics and lack of targeted therapies.1 Recently,it has been reported that TNBC is sensitiveto ferroptosis,an iron-dependent type of programmed cell death,making it a potential target for the treatment of TNBC.2 Breast cancer stem cells(BCSCs),a small population of cancer cells that possess the infinite proliferative potential and tumor-initiating properties,play important roles in drug resistance.3 The responses of BCsCs to ferroptosis-inducing agents are controversial and remain elusive.