The Southwest Indian Ocean Thermocline Dome in CMIP5 Models:Historical Simulation and Future Projection

Using 20 models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 （CMIP5）, the simulation of the Southwest Indian Ocean （SWIO） thermocline dome is evaluated and its role in shaping the Indian Ocean Basin （IOB） mode following E1 Nifio investigated. In most of the CMIP5 models, due to an easterly wind bias along the equator, the simulated SWIO thermocline is too deep, which could further influence the amplitude of the interannual IOB mode. A model with a shallow （deep） thermocline dome tends to simulate a strong （weak） IOB mode, including key attributes such as the SWIO SST warming, antisymmetric pattern during boreal spring, and second North Indian Ocean warming during boreal summer. Under global warming, the thermocline dome deepens with the easterly wind trend along the equator in most of the models. However, the IOB amplitude does not follow such a change of the SWIO thermocline among the models; rather, it follows future changes in both ENSO forcing and local convection feedback, suggesting a decreasing effect of the deepening SWIO thermocline dome on the change in the IOB mode in the future.

Anti-diabetic effects and mechanisms of action of a Chinese herbal medicine preparation JQ-R in vitro and in diabetic KKAy mice

Refined-JQ(JQ-R) is a mixture of refined extracts from Coptis chinensis(Ranunculaceae),Astragalus membranaceus(Leguminosae) and Lonicera japonica(Caprifoliaceae), the three major herbs of Jin Qi-Jiang Tang tablet, a traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) formula. The mechanisms by which JQ-R regulates glucose metabolism and improves insulin sensitivity were studied in type 2 diabetic KK^(Ay)mice and insulin-resistant L6 myotubes. To investigate the mechanisms by which JQ-R improves insulin sensitivity, a model of insulin-resistant cells induced with palmitic acid(PA) was established in L6 myotubes. Glucose uptake and expression of factors involved in insulin signaling, stress, and inflammatory pathways were detected by immunoblotting. JQ-R showed beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in a euglycemic clamp experiment and decreased fasting insulin levels in diabetic KK^(Ay)mice. JQ-R also improved the plasma lipid profiles. JQ-R directly increased the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) and decreased malondialdehyde(MDA) as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) levels in insulin-resistant L6 cells, and elevated the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake with upregulated phosphorylation of AKT. The phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB p65), inhibitor of NF-κB(IκBα), c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK1/2) and extracellular-signal-regulated kinases(ERK1/2) were also changed after JQ-R treatment compared with the control group. Together these findings suggest that JQ-R improved glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic KK^(Ay)mice. JQ-R directly enhanced insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in insulin-resistant myotubes with improved insulin signalling and inflammatory response and oxidative stress. JQ-R could be a candidate to achieve improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A review on sustainable reuse applications of Fenton sludge during wastewater treatment

The classical Fenton oxidation process(CFOP)is a versatile and effective application that is generally applied for recalcitrant pollutant removal.However,excess iron sludge production largely restricts its widespread application.Fenton sludge is a hazardous solid waste,which is a complex heterogeneous mixture with Fe(OH)3,organic matter,heavy metals,microorganisms,sediment impurities,and moisture.Although studies have aimed to utilize specific Fenton sludge resources based on their iron-rich characteristics,few reports have fully reviewed the utilization of Fenton sludge.As such,this review details current sustainable Fenton sludge reuse systems that are applied during wastewater treatment.Specifically,coagulant preparation,the reuse of Fenton sludge as an iron source in the Fenton process and as a synthetic heterogeneous catalyst/adsorbent,as well as the application of the Fenton sludge reuse system as a heterogeneous catalyst for resource utilization.This is the first review article to comprehensively summarize the utilization of Fenton sludge.In addition,this review suggests future research ideas to enhance the cost-effectiveness,environmental sustainability,and large-scale feasibility of Fenton sludge applications.