Performance analysis of three-stage liquid desiccant deep dehumidification processor driven by heat pump

A new type of a heat pump driven three-stage lithium bromide liquid desiccant deep dehumidification processor is presented,which can dehumidify the outdoor humid air to a rather dry state,even when there is no available indoor exhaust air.The test results show that with an outdoor air temperature of 28 to 31 ℃ and an outdoor air humidity ratio of 11 to 14 g/kg,the supply air temperature and the supply air humidity ratio are 1.6 to 2.6 ℃ and 2.6 to 3.0 g/kg,respectively,and the coefficient of performance（COP）of the processor is 1.8.During the test,a liquid pipeline link problem leading to mixture losses of hot and cold liquid desiccants is found.These pipelines are modified.Then,the performance of the modified processor is investigated.And the experimental results show that with an outdoor air temperature of 25 to 32 ℃ and an outdoor air humidity ratio of 18 to 21 g/kg,the supply air temperature and the supply air humidity ratio are 3.2 to 4.0 ℃ and 3.4 to 3.6 g/kg,respectively,and the COP is 2.8.Finally,a mathematical model of the processor is established.The comparison of the simulation results and the test results of the processor exhibits that the pipeline modification improves the performance by about 20%.

Fabrication of Cu_2O@Cu_2O core-shell nanoparticles and conversion to Cu_2O@Cu core-shell nanoparticles in solution

Cu2O@Cu2O core-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by using solution phase strategy. It was found that Cu2O@Cu2O NPs were easily converted to Cu2O@Cu NPs with the help of polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP) and excessive ascorbic acid (AA) in air at room temperature, which was an interesting phenomenon. The features of the two kinds of NPs were characterized by XRD, TEM and extinction spectra. Cu2O@Cu NPs with different shell thicknesses showed wide tunable optical properties for the localized surface plasmon (LSP) in metallic Cu. But Cu2O@Cu2O NPs did not indicate this feature. FTIR results reveal that Cu+ ions on the surface of Cu2O shell coordinate with N and O atoms in PVP and are further reduced to metallic Cu by excessive AA and then form a nucleation site on the surface of Cu2O nanocrystalline. PVP binds onto different sites to proceed with the reduction utill all the Cu sources in Cu2O shell are completely assumed.

Effects of Four Kinds of Plant Growth Regulators on Maize Yield and Lodging Resistance

The research reviewed use effects of Yuhuangjin, Xishibao, Zhuangfengling and Jianzhuangsu on Jinhai No. 5. The results showed plant height and ear height declined in varying degrees, as well as empty-stalk rate and lodging rate, with the plant growth regulators applied. Economic characters all improved, including ear length and diameter, barren-tip length and hundred-seed weight, and corn yield went up significantly on average. For example, the increased yield can be as high as 17.43% when Yuhuangjin was applied at 30 ml/hm^2.

Effect of ABA and Biological Bacterial Agents on the Fruit Quality of Jinhua Large and White Peach

[Objective] The aim was to screen the foliar fertilizer and growth regulators to improve the quality of Jinhua Large and White Peach. [Method] The effects of seven foliar fertilizer and growth regulators on the major economic traits of Jinhua Large and White Peach were studied. [Result] After timely spraying of S-ABA and Fushizhuang in young fruit stage,the major economic traits of Large and White Peach including fruit weight and soluble solids content were significantly higher than that of the control,and significantly better than other treatments. In addition,Huoqing spraying treatment could obviously improve the quality of Large and White Peach. [Conclusion] Shifuzhuang,S-ABA and Huoqing spraying could significantly improve the quality of Jinhua Large and White Peach,which were suitable to be disseminated and applied in production.

New development in Fe/Co catalysts:Structure modulation and performance optimization for syngas conversion

C1 chemistry is the essence of coal chemistry and natural gas chemistry. Catalytic methods to efficiently convert C1 molecules into fuels and chemicals have been extensively studied. Syngas（CO ＋H_2） conversion is the most important industrial reaction system in C1 chemistry, and Fe and Co catalysts, two major industrial catalysts, have been the focus of fundamental research and industrial application. In the last decade, considerable research efforts have been devoted to discoveries concerning catalyst structure and increasing market demands for olefins and oxygenates. Since the development of efficient catalysts would strongly benefit from catalyst design and the establishment of a new reaction system, this review comprehensively overviews syngas conversion in three main reactions, highlights the advances recently made and the challenges that remain open, and will stimulate future research activities. The first part of the review summarizes the breakthroughs in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis regarding the optimization of activity and stability, determination of the active phase, and mechanistic studies. The second part overviews the modulation of catalytic structure and product selectivity for Fischer-Tropsch to olefins（FTO）. Catalysts designed to produce higher alcohols, as well as to tune product selectivity in C1 chemistry, are described in the third section. Finally, present challenges in syngas conversion are proposed, and the solutions and prospects are discussed from the viewpoint of fundamental research and practical application. This review summarizes the latest advances in the design, preparation, and application of Fe/Co-based catalysts toward syngas conversion and presents the challenges and future directions in producing value-added fuels.

Effects of Oyster Shell Soil Amendmenton Fruit Auality and Soil Chemical Properties in Greenhouse Tomato Acidic Soils

[Objective]The aim was to explore the feasibility of applying oyster shell soil amendment for tomato production in order to determine proper quantity of the soil conditional.[Method]Field tests were performed to research effects of the soil conditioner on tomato yield,quality and soil p H.[Result]The results showed that tomato yield increased in the treatment groups with oyster shell soil amendment.The group SC50 increased the most by 16.5%than the control group.Based on normal fertilization,tomato growth was promoted by the soil amendment,and per tomato weight and lycopene content both improved during peak-fruiting period.Besides,soil p H value was enhanced by the soil amendment also.[Conclusion]It can be concluded that the effect was the best when soil conditioner was applied at 750 kg/hm2.

Tuning strategies and structure effects of electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide reduction reaction

Carbon dioxide emissions have increased due to the consumption of fossil fuels,making the neutralization and utilization of CO_(2) a pressing issue.As a clean and efficient energy conversion process,electrocatalytic reduction can reduce carbon dioxide into a series of alcohols and acidic organic molecules,which can effectively realize the utilization and transformation of carbon dioxide.This review focuses on the tuning strategies and structure effects of catalysts for the electrocatalytic CO_(2) reduction reaction(CO_(2)RR).The tuning strategies for the active sites of catalysts have been reviewed from intrinsic and external perspectives.The structure effects for the CO_(2)RR catalysts have also been discussed,such as tandem catalysis,synergistic effects and confinement catalysis.We expect that this review about tuning strategies and structure effects can provide guidance for designing highly efficient CO_(2)RR electrocatalysts.

Use of the tumor necrosis factor-blockers for Crohn's disease

The use of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy for inflammatory bowel disease represents the most important advance in the care of these patients since the publication of the National Co-operative Crohn＇s disease study thirty years ago. The recommendations of numerous consensus groups worldwide are now supported by a wealth of clinical trials and several meta-analyses. In general, it is suggested that tumor necrosis factor-c~ blockers （TNFBs） are indicated （1） for persons with moderately-severe Crohn＇s disease or ulcerative colitis （UC） who have failed two or more causes of glucocorticosteroids and an acceptably long cause （8 wk to 12 wk） of an immune modulator such as azathioprine or methotrexate; （2） non-responsive perianal disease; and （3） severe UC not responding to a 3-d to 5-d course of steroids. Once TNFBs have been introduced and the patient is responsive, therapy given by the IV and SC rate must be continued. It remains open to definitive evidence if concomitant immune modulators are required with TNFB maintenance ther- apy, and when or if TNFB may be weaned and discon- tinued. The supportive evidence from a single study on the role of early versus later introduction of TNFB in the course of a patient＇s illness needs to be confirmed. The risk/benefit profile of TNFB appears to be accept- able as long as the patient is immunized and tested for tuberculosis and viral hepatitis before the initiation of TNFB, and as long as the long-term adverse effects on the development of lymphoma and other tumors do not prone to be problematic. Because the rates of ben- efits to TNFB are modest from a population perspec- tive and the cost of therapy is very high, the ultimate application of use of TNFBs will likely be established by cost/benefit studies.

Orlistat-lnduced Modulation of Plasma Metabolites Independent of Weight Loss in Overweight Females

Orlistat-induced weight loss results in amelioration in several comorbidities including obesity-related dyslipidemia. The aim of the present study was to characterize the changes in the blood plasma metabolic profile from overweight women treated with Orlistat, a lipase inhibitor. A metabonomic approach employing LHNMR was applied to the access metabolic profile in lean and overweight women after a 120 day treatment with 120 mg of Orlistat three times daily. Twenty overweight women （BMI： 32.8 ± 2.9 kg/m2） were evaluated before and after Orlistat treatment and seven normal weight women （BMh 21.8 ± 1.4 kg/m2） were taken as control. After 120 days of treatment with Orlistat, no significant weight changes were observed. However, Orlistat-induced metabolic changes in overweight subjects decreased the profile differences between lean and obese individuals, independent of weight loss. These were associated to decreasing levels of lactate and calcium. Higher levels of lactate, alanine and lipids from overweight subjects were detected in comparison to lean individuals. These results show that a lipase inhibitor shifts the metabolic profile of overweight subjects towards normality, independent of weight loss.

Investigation of the Mutagenic Potential of Immunomodulator Arglabin Native in Tablets in the Ames Test

The mandatory preclinical safety evaluation is an essential prerequisite to obtain the qualitative and effective medicines. Due to the fact that drugs may reveal genotoxic properties, the investigation of their mutagenic activity is an obligatory part of the preclinical drug safety program. The aim of the research is to study mutagenic properties of a new original immunomodulator Arglabin native in tablets in the induced test of gene mutations （the Ames test） on Salmonella typhimurium strains. Materials and methods： Four strains of S. typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537 were used to assess the mutagenicity in the Ames test. Results and conclusions： No statistically reliable dose-dependent increase in the number of revertant colonies of Salmonella typhimurium has been observed in the presence of the given drug within the investigated dose ranges from 5.0 to 100.0 μg/mL for strains TA100 and TA1535, and from 5.0 to 250 μg/mL for strains TA98 and TA1537 against the baseline of spantaneous mutations. Arglabin native in tablets does not reveal a mutagenic activity within the studied dose ranges on Salmonella typhimurium strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537.

Research progress in ionic liquids catalyzed isobutane/butene alkylation

The complicated reaction mechanism and the character of competitive reactions lead to a stringent requirement for the catalyst of C_4 alkylation process. Due to their unique properties, ionic liquids(ILs) are thought to be new potential acid catalysts for C_4 alkylation. An analysis of the regular and modified chloroaluminate ILs, novel Br?nsted ILs and composite ILs used in isobutane/butene alkylation shows that the use of either ILs or ILs coupled with mineral acid as homogeneous catalysts can help to greatly adjust the acid strength. By modifying the structural parameters of the cations and anions of the ILs, the solubility of the reactants could also be adjusted, which in turn displays a positive effect on improving the activity of ILs. Immobilization of ILs is an effective way to modulate the surface adsorption/desorption properties and acid strength distribution of the solid acid catalysts. Such a process has a tremendous potential to reduce the deactivation of catalyst and enhance the activity of the solid acid catalyst. The development of novel acid catalysts for C_4 alkylation is a comprehensive consideration of acid strength and its distribution, interfacial properties and transport characteristics.

Antidepressant Drugs Modulate Differentially Anti-inflammatory Lithium＇s Property： An in Vitro and in Vivo Study

Li （lithium）, a mood stabilizer has anti-inflammatory effect. However, in clinical practice, Li can be administered together with other antidepressants drugs, such as FLX （fluoxetine）, IMI （imipramine）, NOR （nortriptyline） and ESC （escitalopram）. As interaction between Li and these antidepressant drugs on inflammatory modulation has not been investigated yet, we performed an in vitro protocol using a non-human macrophage cell line. Oxidative and inflammatory markers, as well as cell cycle analysis and cytokine gene expressions were compared among treatments. An IR （inflammatory ratio） was calculated based on the following oxidative-inflammatory variables： nitric oxide, superoxide anion, reactive oxygen molecules, cytokines IL-113, IL-6, TNF-ct and IL-10. The in vitro calculated IR data were validated through an in vivo analysis of 154 human subjects with similar IR. Li and control cells presented similar IR values. FLX, NOR and IMI increased slightly IR values indicating some proinflammatory effect, whereas ESC decreased IR values indicating some anti-inflammatory effect. However, cells exposed to Li ＋ ESC triggered a proinflammatory response on macrophages. Thus, IR comparison results suggest that the Li anti-inflammatory effect is not universal and could be influenced by both basal macrophage-inflammatory state and interaction of other psychiatric drugs. These results could be useful to understand some inconsistencies observed in human studies involving Li and other psychiatric drugs.

Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Activity of the Herbals Formula Viranur, Turmeric （Curcuma heyneana Val.） and Phyllanthus （Phyllanthus niruri L.） in Layer Chicken Vaccinated with Avian Influenza

The aim of this research was to know the effect of herbal as immunomodulator on chicken layer vaccinated with avian influenza. A total of 60 chickens were alloted into three treatment groups： control group （KA）, group KB and group KC, with 20 chicken each group. All the chickens were vaccinated with Newcastle disease （ND） in the age of one week, and a week later they were vaccinated with avian influenza （AI）. The chickens in group KB were drunken with herbal solution containing of 5 g turmeric （Curcuma heyneana Val.） and 25 g phyllanthus （Phyllanthus niruri L.） and group KC were drunken with herbal solution containing of 36 g the herbals formula Viranur and 25 g phyllanthus （Phyllanthus niruri L.）, respectively for four weeks. Thirty days after AI vaccinated, all of chicken were weighed and necropsied. Samples from bursa of Fabricius, tymus and spleen were taken for weighing and histopathological examination. The weight indexs of bursa of Fabricius, tymus and spleen were not significantly different between control group and treatment group in the considered statistically significance （P 〉 0.05）, but the treatment groups （KB and KC） had higher weight index. The histopathologically changes of spleen in both control group and treatment groups were not different, although in the group KC, in bursa of Fabricius, there was lymphocyte increase in its lymphoid follicles; and in the group KB and KC, the tymus were more widening in the cortex than medulla. The conclusion of this study showed that the herbals can stimulate lymphocyte activity.

In Vitro Propagation of Echeveria elegans, a Species of the Flora Endangered Mexican

The genus Echeveria has about 143 species that are unique to the Americas, 117 of which are presented in the Mexican Republic, mainly in the states of Hidalgo, Puebla and Oaxaca. Propagation can be done by cuttings, leaf cuttings or seeds, but these methods are insufficient to avoid the predation of many species. NOM-059-ECOL-2001 shows Echeveria elegans as species reported endangered. The objectives in this study were achieved in vitro propagation from axillary buds, as an alternative to multiplication and preservation species. We evaluated different concentrations and combinations of two growth regulators, 6-BAP （2.22, 4.44, 6.66 and 8.88 μM） and u-NAA （1.35 and 2.70 μM） on shoot formation from axillary buds and two culture media with different concentrations of MS salts, to achieve root plants grown in vitro. It was found by combining 6.66 μM of 6-BAP and 1.35μM of α-NAA favored the formation and development of new shoots. In the rooting stage, the best results are achieved with the treatment containing 50% of MS salts. Then the plants were transplanted into greenhouses and achieved a successful acclimatization. During this last phase of development, there were no phenotypic changes or presence of somaclonal variants.

Development of an Efficient Plant Regeneration System for Pelargonium×Citrosum Vanleenii

[Objective]As a mosquito-repelling ornamental plant,Pelargonium×Citrosum Vanleenii(P.× Citrosum Vanleenii)is hard to be acquired because of its hybrid background,the paper was to a new regeneration system of(P.× Citrosum Vanleenii).[Method] By studying the influence of plant growth regulators(PGRs)on explant type(leaves and petioles),the optimal combinations of PGRs to maximize SELSs(somatic embryo-like structure)and buds were established.[Result]0.2 mg/L NAA+1.0 mg/L BA was best for LS(leaves segments)and 0.2 mg/L NAA + 1.5 mg/L BAs was best for PS(petioles segments).Cultured plantlets were successfully acclimatized in soil where they grew normally without any morphological variation.Although both LS and PS were usable,the leaf was a better explant for induction of embryogenic calli,somatic embryo-like structures and buds.[Conclusion]This work offered a rapid and efficient system for plant regeneration of P.×Citrosum Vanleenii.

COSMO-RS: An ionic liquid prescreening tool for gas hydrate mitigation

Recently ionic liquids(ILs) are introduced as novel dual function gas hydrate inhibitors. However, no desired gas hydrate inhibition has been reported due to poor IL selection and/or tuning method. Trial & error as well as selection based on existing literature are the methods currently employed for selecting and/or tuning ILs. These methods are probabilistic, time consuming, expensive and may not result in selecting high performance ILs for gas hydrate mitigation. In this work, COSMO-RS is considered as a prescreening tool of ILs for gas hydrate mitigation by predicting the hydrogen bonding energies(E_(HB)) of studied IL inhibitors and comparing the predicted E_(HB) to the depression temperature(?) and induction time. Results show that, predicted EHBand chain length of ILs strongly relate and significantly affect the gas hydrate inhibition depression temperature but correlate moderately(R = 0.70) with average induction time in literature. It is deduced from the results that, ? increases with increasing IL EHBand/or decreases with increasing chain length. However, the cation–anion pairing of ILs also affects IL gas hydrate inhibition performance. Furthermore, a visual and better understanding of IL/water behavior for gas hydrate inhibition in terms of hydrogen bond donor and acceptor interaction analysis is also presented by determining the sigma profile and sigma potential of studied IL cations and anions used for gas hydrate mitigation for easy IL selection.

Preliminary Investigation on Somatic Embryogenesis from Immature Cotyledon Explants of Shea （Vitellaria paradoxa G,）

Long juvenile phase and lack of effective protocols for large scale vegetative propagation are limitations to domestication and improvement of the shea tree. The present study seeks to develop a protocol for plant regeneration of shea （Vitellaria paradoxa） from immature cotyledon explants. Embryogenic callus cultures were induced on Murashige and Skoog medium （MS） containing 3% sucrose, 0.24% Phytagel, and various concentrations of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid （2,4-D） after four weeks of culture in darkness. Rates of embryogenic callus induction were significantly affected by the addition of 2, 4-D to the medium. Within 28 days of culture, the highest percentage of embyogenic calli （77.61%） occurred on MS media containing 0.45 ~tM of 2,4-D in the dark. Somatic embryos were obtained by culturing embryogenic callus （in the dark） on MS medium fortified with 3% sucrose, 0.24% phytagel and devoid of growth regulators. Culturing at 16 h photoperiod restricted both the induction of embryogenic calli cultures and somatic embryos. Somatic embryos germinated, developed shoots and rooted vigorously on MS medium devoid of growth regulators. Germinated plantlets were acclimatized, successfully.

Tunable gold nanostar synthesis with surfactant-free system

Gold nanoparticle is an important photothermal conversion material in photothermal imaging and photothermal therapy research.There are diverse gold nanoparticles,including gold nanospheres,gold nanorods,gold nanocages,gold nanoshells and gold nanostars.Among them,gold nanostar(AuNS)possesses more excellent prospective imaging contrast agent for cancer diagnosis than other shapes of gold nanoparticles because of its larger photon interception area and cross section as well as scattering characteristics.The properties of AuNS are susceptible to synthetic methods and conditions.In this study,we presented surfactant-free methods to synthesize AuNS,discussed the relationship of AuNS characterization with the synthetic conditions and tested its photothermal effect.The results indicated that length and number of branches in AuNSs were the main factor for absorption wavelength in photothermal conversion,and the Au NSs could be more precisely controlled by changing the synthesis conditions.

Effects of Xinfeng capsule on pulmonary function based on treg-mediated notch pathway in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis

OBJECTIVE:To observe the impact of xinfeng xapsule(XFC) on pulmonary function in a rat model of adjuvant arthritis(AA) and to investigate the mechanism of action.METHODS:Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups of ten:normal control(NC);model control(MC);tripterygium glycosides tablet(TPT);and xinfeng capsule(XFC).Except for the NC group,AA was induced in all rats by intracutaneous injection of 0.1 mL Freund's complete adjuvant in the right paw on the 19th day.NC and MC groups were given(0.9%) physiological saline.The TPT and XFC groups were given TPT(10 mg/kg) and XFC(1.2 g/kg),respectively.Thirty days after administration,changes in paw edema(E),the arthritis index(AI),pulmonary function,levels of regulatory T-cells(Treg),ultrastructure of lung tissue,and expression of Notch receptors and ligands in lung tissue were observed.RESULTS:In the MC group,E and the AI were increased and pulmonary function significantly decreased;the structure of alveolar type-II cells was damaged;ratios of Treg in peripheral blood were reduced;and expression of Notch receptors such as Notch3 and Notch4 and ligands such as Delta1 in lung tissue were significantly increased whereas expression of Notch1,Jagged1 and Jagged2 were significantly decreased.After intervention with XFC,E and the AI were decreased;pulmonary function was enhanced;the structure of alveolar type-II cells was improved;and expression of Treg,Notch1,Jagged1,Jagged2 was elevated,whereas that of Notch3,Notch4 and Delta1 was reduced.CONCLUSION:XFC can not only inhibit E and the AI and improve joint symptoms,it can also improve pulmonary function and reduce inflammation in lung tissue.These actions could be carried out through increases in the expression of Treg,Notch receptors(Notch1) and ligands(Jagged1,Jagged2),and reductions in the expression of Notch3,Notch4 and Delta1.These phenomena would reduce the deposition of immune complexes and the inflammatory response in lung tissue,thereby improving joint symptoms and pulmonary function.