Effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on pulmonary gas exchange in patients with portal hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome

AIM: To assess the impact of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) on pulmonary gas exchange and to evaluate the use of TIPS for the treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS).METHODS: Seven patients, three of them with advanced HPS, in whom detailed pulmonary function tests were performed before and after TIPS placementat the University of Alabama Hospital and at the Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, were considered.RESULTS: TIPS patency was confirmed by hemodynamic evaluation. No changes in arterial blood gases were observed in the overall subset of patients. Transient arterial oxygenation improvement was observed in only one HPS patient, early after TIPS, but this was not sustained 4 mo later.CONCLUSION: TIPS neither improved nor worsened pulmonary gas exchange in patients with portal hypertension. This data does not support the use of TIPS as a specific treatment for HPS. However, it does reinforce the view that TIPS can be safely performed for the treatment of other complications of portal hypertension in patients with HPS.

Comparative Gas Exchange of Ulmus crassifolia (Cedar Elm, Ulmaceae) and Ungnadia speciosa (Mexican Buckey, Sapindaceae) at Ambient and Elevated Levels of Light, CO2 and Temperature

Ulmus crassifolia Nutt. (Cedar elm, Ulmaceae) is a tree found in central and east Texas, northern Mexico, east to Florida, and north to southern Missouri and Oklahoma. Ungnadia speciosa Endl. (Mexican-buckeye, Sapindaceae) is a shrub or small tree found in woodlands and savannas of central and western Texas, southern New Mexico and northern Mexico. In central Texas, both species are found in Juniperus ashei/Quercus virginiana woodlands or savannas or also at low density in inter-canopy grassland gaps or patches. Environmental conditions in this area are stressful because of shallow soils, high summer temperatures, and inconsistent low rainfall. Currently, both species have a low density in these areas, and Ulmus crassifolia is usually a tree, while Ungnadia speciosa is a woody understory shrub. This study suggests U. crassifolia and U. speciosa are tolerant or intermediate species, with juveniles starting in shade. Maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax), dark respiration (Rd), intercellular CO2, light saturation (Lsp) and water use efficiency significantly increased when light levels and CO2 concentrations were elevated for both species, but not when temperatures were elevated. Stomatal conductance decreased when the CO2 concentration doubled, but there were few effects from elevated temperature. These findings suggest that U. speciosa and U. crassifolia should be more common and imply that they will have a higher density in a future high CO2 environment.

Photosynthetic Gas Exchange and Leaflet Movement of Robinia pseudoacacia in Relation to Changing Light Environments

On the sunny days, there were little diurnal changes in both azimuth and directional angle for either sun_ or shade_leaflet. However, there existed a significant diurnal change in midrib angle that reflected movements regarding evasion of light stress around noon hours. On the cloudy day, a very little diurnal difference was found in azimuth, directional and midrib angle. It is suggested that changing light environment is the main factor for inducing leaflet movement of Robinia pseudoacacia , and the rhythmical movement does not attribute to the leaflet movement. Leaf orientation control test showed that the photosynthetic rate ( Pn ), stomatal conductance ( g s ) and transpiration ( Tr ) of the artificial fixed_leaflets were significantly lower than that of control_leaflets. And the leaf temperature ( Tl ) of the fixed leaflets significantly exceeded that of control_leaflets, which may attribute to the significant difference of light interception between the fixed and control_leaflets. The light_dependent leaflet movement is the morphological adjustment of maintaining optimal physiological status.

Model of gas exchange dynamics for modified-atmosphere packages containing fresh produce

A model for modified-atmosphere packaging （MAP） systems containing fruits and vegetables was developed.The computer simulation was performed to predict the gas mass concentrations inside the packages and was successfully verified by experiments with yellow peaches at 5,15 and 25 ℃ using two types of packaging films.A Michaelis-Menten type respiration model with noncompetitive inhibition mechanism due to CO2 was adopted while the respiration rates were measured with an improved permeable system method suitable for either steady or unsteady state.The applicability of the model in the design of MAP systems was demonstrated with a calculation to evaluate film specification and equilibrium concentrations of O2 and CO2 in the package containing yellow peaches.

Effects of Nitrogen Application on Chlorophyll Fluorescence Parameters and Leaf Gas Exchange in Naked Oat

Naked oat（Avena nuda L.） was originated from China,where soil nitrogen（N） is low availability.The responses of chlorophyll（Chl.） fluorescence parameters and leaf gas exchange to N application were analysed in this study.After the N application rate ranged from 60 to 120 kg ha-1,variable fluorescence（F v）,the maximal fluorescence（F m）,the maximal photochemical efficiency（F v /F m）,quantum yield（Φ PS II） of the photosynthetic system II（PS II）,electron transport rate（ETR）,and photochemical quenching coefficient（qP） increased with N application level,however,non-photochemical quenching coefficient（qN） decreased.Moreover,there was no difference in initial fluorescence（F o） with further more N enhancement.The maximum net photosynthetic rate（P max）,apparent dark respiration rate（R d） and light saturation point（LSP） were improved with 40-56 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer and 24-40 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer applied at jointing stage.Initial quantum yield（α） was decreased with 24 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer and 56 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer.Flag-leaf net photosynthetic rate（P n） was significantly enhanced at the jointing and heading stages with 40-56 kg N ha-1as basal fertilizer; in addition,increased at grain filling stage of naked oat with 40-56 kg N ha-1as top dressing fertilizer.90 kg N ha-1（50-70% as basal fertilizer and 30-50% as top dressing fertilizer） application is recommended to alleviate photodamage of photosystem and improve the photosynthetic rate in naked oat.

Effect of Shading on Gas Exchange of Cotton Leaves Under Conditions of Different Soil Water Contents

Effect of different shading levels (no-shading, 80% shading, and 40% shading) on photosynthetic and stomatal responses in cotton leaves were investigated under conditions of different soil water contents in summer midday. All cotton leaves exhibited similar basic responses to shading, including decreased net photosynthetic rates, a tendency to decrease in transpiration rates, and increased stomatal conductance and intercellular CO2 concentration. The leaf conductance of 80% shaded and 40% shaded plants increased by 28% and 16.7% compared with no-shaded plants at high water, respectively, but the net photosynthetic rates of 80% shaded and 40% shaded plants declined by 50% and 14.73%, respectively. Results showed that combined effect of soil moisture and shading on photosynthetic and stomatal responses in cotton leaves was very remarkable.

Effects of soil drought stress on photosynthetic gas exchange traits and chlorophyll fluorescence in Forsythia suspensa

To clarify the changes in plant photosynthesis and mechanisms underlying those responses to gradually increasing soil drought stress and reveal quantitative relationships between photosynthesis and soil moisture,soil water conditions were controlled in greenhouse pot experiments using 2-year-old seedlings of Forsythia suspensa（Thunb.） Vahl. Photosynthetic gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence variables were measured and analyzed under 13 gradients of soil water content. Net photosynthetic rate（PN）, stomatal conductance（gs）, and water-use efficiency（WUE） in the seedlings exhibited a clear threshold response to the relative soil water content（RSWC）. The highest PNand WUEoccurred at RSWCof51.84 and 64.10%, respectively. Both PNand WUEwere higher than the average levels at 39.79% B RSWCB 73.04%. When RSWCdecreased from 51.84 to 37.52%,PN, gs, and the intercellular CO2 concentration（Ci）markedly decreased with increasing drought stress; the corresponding stomatal limitation（Ls） substantially increased, and nonphotochemical quenching（NPQ） also tended to increase, indicating that within this range of soil water content, excessive excitation energy was dispersed from photosystem II（PSII） in the form of heat, and the reduction in PNwas primarily due to stomatal limitation.While RSWCdecreased below 37.52%, there were significant decreases in the maximal quantum yield of PSII photochemistry（Fv/Fm） and the effective quantum yield of PSII photochemistry（UPSII）, photochemical quenching（qP）, and NPQ; in contrast, minimal fluorescence yield of the dark-adapted state（F0） increased markedly. Thus,the major limiting factor for the PNreduction changed to a nonstomatal limitation due to PSII damage. Therefore, an RSWCof 37.52% is the maximum allowable water deficit for the normal growth of seedlings of F. suspensa, and a water content lower than this level should be avoided in field soil water management. Water contents should be maintained in the range of 39.79% B RSWCB 73.04% to ensure normal function of the photosynthetic apparatus and high levels of photosynthesis and efficiency in F.suspensa.

Gas exchange of Rhodiola sachalinensis transplanted from different habitats in Changbai Mountain

Rhodiola sachalinensis growing in the different habitats, Xiaotianchi plot (altitude 1800 m), Tree line plot (altitude 2000 m) and Tianwenfeng plot (altitude 2325 m), of Changbai Moutain (northern slop) were transplanted to Harbin Experimental Forest Farm for measuring its characteristic of gas exchange. The study results indicated that the growth state and gas exchange characteristics ofRh. sachalinensis growing in different habitats varied markedly. The plants transplanted from Tianwenfeng plot had the highest values in net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and transpiration rate (Tr), those transplanted from Tree line plot shows the second, and those transplanted rom Xiaotianchi plot had the lowest values. The variance existed in transplanted plants was the same as shown in the field. From the result it can be extrapolated that the difference of Pn and Tr existed inRh. sachalinensis transplanted from different habitats is depend not only on the environmental factors, but on the variance of physiological characteristic of plant itself.

Diurnal change of gas exchange of Rhodiola sachalinensis transplanted from different habitats in Changbai Mountain

Rhodiola sachalinensis growing in the different habitats, such as Xiaotianchi plot (altitude 1800 m), Tree line plot (altitude 2000 m) and Tianwenfeng plot (altitude 2325 m) of Changbai Mountain (northern slop) were transplanted to Harbin Experimental Farm for determining its gas exchange. The study results indicated that the diurnal changes of gas exchange ofRh. sachalinensis transplanted from different habitats were still different though the morphological appearance of the newly sprouted above-ground part had become more similar. For net photosynthesis rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs) and apparent quantum yield (AQY), the diumal change curves ofRh. sachalinensis transplanted from the three plots were similar, but the data value were different. For the dark respiration rate (Rd), transpiration rate (Tr) and water use efficiency (WUE), diurnal change curves of the three plots were obviously different.

Three-dimensional transient numerical simulation for gas exchange process in a four-stroke motorcycle engine

Three-dimensional transient numerical simulation of gas exchange process in a four-stroke motorcycle engine with a semi-spherical combustion chamber with two tilt valves was studied. Combination of the grid re-meshing method and the snapper technique made the valves move smoothly. The flow structure and pattern in a complete engine cycle were described in detail. Tumble ratios around the x-axis and y-axis were analyzed. Comparison of computed pressure with experimental pressure under motored condition revealed that the simulation had high calculation precision; CFD simulation can be regarded as an im-portant tool for resolving the complex aerodynamic behavior in motorcycle engines.

Effects of sulfur dioxide on growth， gas exchange rate and leaf sulfur content of massion pine seedlings

The effects of sulfur dioxide(SO_2) on the dry weight growth gas exchange rate and leaf sulfur content of massion pine(Pinus massoniana Lamb. )were investigated. The results obtained in this study show that the dry weight growth and net photosynthetic rate of masson pine seedlings are reduced by exposure to SO_2 at ≥100 ppb. From these results,one of the main causes in the dieback of masson pine forest reported in Chongqing,China may be relatively high concentrations of atmospheric SO_2 in the relevant area.

Leaf habit differentiation explains trait tradeoffs across savanna woody plants

Identifying how leaf habit subdivisions link to the fast–slow and avoidance–tolerance trait tradeoffs can provide new insight into divergence in ecophysiological strategies among plant functional groups. Here, we tested a hypothesis that the differentiation across deciduous, semi-deciduous and evergreen woody species contributes to physiological trait tradeoffs in a dry-hot valley savanna. We investigated 11 photosynthetic, morphological and hydraulic traits of 24 species including 8 deciduous, 10 semi-deciduous and 6 evergreen species. Deciduous species were grouped in the fast and avoidance side associated with high values of maximum photosynthetic rates,stomatal conductance and leaf size, while evergreen species were grouped in the slow and tolerance side associated with high photosynthetic water use efficiency, leaf mass per area, sapwood density, Huber value, leaf water potential at turgor loss point and water potential causing 50% loss of stem hydraulic conductance. Semideciduous species generally had intermediate trait values and represented different physiological characteristics when compared to deciduous and evergreen species. The physiological trait tradeoffs showed a close linkage to the differentiation of these three leaf habits. Our findings clearly reveal trait tradeoffs related to fast–slow and avoidance–tolerance strategies among diverse savanna plants, suggesting a syndrome in multiple ecophysiology strategies across different leaf habits.

Technologies and studies of gas exchange in two-stroke aircraft piston engine:A review

The in-cylinder gas exchange process is crucial to the power performance of two-stroke aircraft piston engines,which is easily influenced by complex factors such as high-altitude performance variation and in-cylinder flow characteristics.This paper reviews the development history and characteristics of gas exchange types,as well as the current state of theory and the validation methods of gas exchange technology,while also discusses the trends of cutting-edge technologies in the field.This paper provides a theoretical foundation for the optimization and engineering design of gas exchange systems and,more importantly,points out that the innovation of gas exchange types,the modification of theoretical models,and the technology of variable airflow organization are the key future research directions in this field.

Drought Tolerance and Recovery of the Sedge Carex planostachys (Cyperaceae) from Central Texas Woodlands

Carex planostachys Kunze (Cyperaceae, Cedar sedge) is an herbaceous species in a genus commonly inhabiting mesic or hydric habitats. Carex planostachys is found in arid and semi-arid Juniperus woodlands. Arid conditions impose survival challenges to plants in dry areas. Some plants have plasticity responses to soil water content and continued normal though reduced functions through droughts, but most herbaceous plants do not survive. Limited previous studies have suggested C. planostachys is tolerant of drought. Physiological responses of C. planostachys from Juniperus woodlands was examined is this study to determine how long plants could survive without water and if they are capable of recovery from very negative water potentials beyond what is considered the permanent wilting point for most herbaceous plants. Plants were placed in pots in partial shade in this experiment. Water loss from the soil with plants was an inverse 2nd order polynomial function with soil water decreasing from 32% to 8% by day 28 of the study. Leaf water potential was also an inverse 2nd order polynomial function but did not decline significantly until 14 days without watering. Leaf water potential was −10.0 MPa after 35 days without watering. Non-watered plants Anet, (photosynthetic rate) was significantly lower compared to the water treatment by day 21 as was stomatal conductance and transpiration. When non-watered plants were watered after 21, 28 or 35 days, full recovery of physiological responses occurred within 7 days. The length of time that C. planostachys was able to withstand drought was greater than the annual trends in lack of precipitation during springtime in this area. Carex planostachys can photosynthesize at water stress between −8 and −10 MPa. Carex planostachys drought and shade tolerance enables it to occupy an understory niche devoid of other herbaceous plants.

Systemic regulation of photosynthetic function in maize plants at graining stage under a vertically heterogeneous light environment

To cope with a highly heterogeneous light environment,photosynthesis in plants can be regulated systemically.Currently,the majority of studies are carried out with various plants during the vegetative growth period.As the reproductive sink improves photosynthesis,we wondered how photosynthesis is systemically regulated at the reproductive stage under a vertically heterogeneous light environment in the field.Therefore,changes of light intensity within canopy,chlorophyll content,gas exchange,and chlorophyll a fluorescence transient were carefully investigated at the graining stage of maize under various planting densities.In this study,a high planting density of maize drastically reduced the light intensities in the lower canopy,and increased the difference in vertical light distribution within the canopy.With the increase of vertical heterogeneity,chlorophyll content,light-saturated photosynthetic rate and the quantum yield of electron transport in the ear leaf(EL) and the fourth leaf below the ear(FLBE) were decreased gradually,and the ranges of declines in these parameters were larger at FLBE than those at EL.Leaves in the lower canopy were shaded artificially to further test these results.Partial shading(PS) resulted in a vertically heterogeneous light environment and enhanced the differences in photosynthetic characteristics between EL and FLBE.Removing the tassel and top leaves(RTL) not only improved the vertical light distribution within the canopy,but also reduced the differences in photosynthetic characteristics between the two leaves.Taken together,these results demonstrated that maize plants could enhance the vertical heterogeneity of their photosynthetic function to adapt to their light environment;slight changes of the photosynthetic function in EL at the graining stage under a vertically heterogeneous light environment indicated that the systemic regulation of photosynthesis is weak at the graining stage.

3D numerical simulation of boreholes for gas drainage based on the pore–fracture dual media

A gas migration controlling equation was formulated based on the characteristics of the dual pore–fracture media of coal mass and in consideration of the matrix exchange between pores and fractures.A model of permeability dynamic evolution was established by analyzing the variation in effective stress during gas drainage and the action mechanism of the effect of coal matrix desorption on porosity and fracture in the coal body.A coupling model can then be obtained to characterize gas compressibility and coal deformability under the gas–solid coupling of loading coal.In addition,a 3D model of boreholes was established and solved for gas drainage based on the relevant physical parameters of real mines.The comparison and analysis results for the law of gas migration and the evolution of coal body permeability around the boreholes before and after gas extraction between the dual media and the single-seepage field models can provide a theoretical basis for further research on the action mechanism of gas drainage.

Gas exchange optimization in aircraft engines using sustainable aviation fuel:A design of experiment and genetic algorithm approach

The poppet valves two-stroke(PV2S)aircraft engine fueled with sustainable aviation fuel is a promising option for general aviation and unmanned aerial vehicle propulsion due to its high power-to-weight ratio,uniform torque output,and flexible valve timings.However,its high-altitude gas exchange performance remains unexplored,presenting new opportunities for optimization through artificial intelligence(AI)technology.This study uses validated 1D+3D models to evaluate the high-altitude gas exchange performance of PV2S aircraft engines.The valve timings of the PV2S engine exhibit considerable flexibility,thus the Latin hypercube design of experiments(DoE)methodology is employed to fit a response surface model.A genetic algorithm(GA)is applied to iteratively optimize valve timings for varying altitudes.The optimization process reveals that increasing the intake duration while decreasing the exhaust duration and valve overlap angles can significantly enhance high-altitude gas exchange performance.The optimal valve overlap angle emerged as 93°CA at sea level and 82°CA at 4000 m altitude.The effects of operating parameters,including engine speed,load,and exhaust back pressure,on the gas exchange process at varying altitudes are further investigated.The higher engine speed increases trapping efficiency but decreases the delivery ratio and charging efficiency at various altitudes.This effect is especially pronounced at elevated altitudes.The increase in exhaust back pressure will significantly reduce the delivery ratio and increase the trapping efficiency.This study demonstrates that integrating DoE with AI algorithms can enhance the high-altitude performance of aircraft engines,serving as a valuable reference for further optimization efforts.

The interplay between leaf water potential and osmotic adjustment on photosynthetic and growth parameters of tropical dry forest trees

Mimosa tenuiflora and Piptadenia stipulacea are commonly accepted as drought-tolerant species but little is known about their response to drought followed by rehydration.Therefore,the interplay between leaf water potential and osmotic adjustment on photo synthetic and growth parameters of these species was examined.A greenhouse study was conducted in a split-plot design with two water conditions in the main plots(control;drought followed by rehydration),and eight sampling times in the subplots(1,4and 7 days of drought,and 1,3,6,12,and 17 days of rehydration).Plant water status and biochemical changes were assessed as well as leaf gas exchange and subsequent growth.Under drought stress,both species maintained a low leaf water potential throughout the day by accumulating compatible solutes,thus allowing a rapid and full recovery of water status when rehydrated.Although these plants minimized water loss by closing their stomata,neither showed stomatal limitations to photosynthesis.The inhibition of this process during drought was possibly related to mesophyll limitations as well as to a reversible downregulation of photo systems,along with adjustments of their stoichiometry.Water deficits also triggered morphological adaptations at the whole plant level,leading to reduced growth,mainly of the shoots in M.tenuiflora and the roots in P.stipulacea.

Effects of water stress on growth phenology photosynthesis and leaf water potential in Stipagrostis ciliata(Desf.)De Winter in North Africa

Stipagrostis ciliata(Desf.)De Winter is a pastoral C4 grass grown in arid regions.This research work focused on assessing the growth of S.ciliata accessions derived from two different climate regions(a wet arid region in the Bou Hedma National Park in the central and southern part of Tunisia(coded as WA),and a dry arid region from the Matmata Mountain in the south of Tunisia(coded as DA))under water stress conditions.Specifically,the study aimed to investigate the phenological and physiological responses of potted S.ciliata seedlings under different water treatments:T_(1)(200 mm/a),T_(2)(150 mm/a),T_(3)(100 mm/a)and T_(4)(50 mm/a).Growth phenology,net photosynthesis(Pn),stomatal conductance(gs),midday leaf water potential(Ψmd),predawn leaf water potential(Ψpd),soil water content(SWC)and soil water potential(Ψs)were observed during the water stress cycle(from December 2016 to November 2017).The obtained results showed that the highest growth potential of the two accessions(WA and DA)was recorded under treatment T_(1).The two accessions responded differently and significantly to water stress.Photosynthetic parameters,such as Pn and gs,decreased sharply under treatments T_(2),T_(3)and T_(4)compared to treatment T_(1).The higher water stress increased the R/S ratio(the ratio of root dry biomass to shoot dry biomass),with values of 1.29 and 2.74 under treatment T_(4)for accessions WA and DA,respectively.Principal component analysis(PCA)was applied,and the separation of S.ciliata accessions on the first two axes of PCA(PC1 and PC2)suggested that accession DA was detected in the negative extremity of PC1 and PC2 under treatments T_(1)and T_(2).This accession was characterized by a high number of spikes.For treatments T_(3)and T_(4),both accessions were detected in the negative extremity of PC1 and PC2.They were characterized by a high root dry biomass.Therefore,S.ciliata accessions responded to water stress by displaying significant changes in their behaviours.Accession WA from the Bou Hedma National Park(wet arid region)showed higher drought tolerance than accession DA from the Matmata Mountain(dry arid region).S.ciliata exhibits a significant adaptation capacity for water limitation and may be an important species for ecosystem restoration.

Physiological plasticity in eucalyptus clones in the vegetative stage contributes to drought tolerance

With the expansion of eucalyptus crops to areas with severe water limitations,physiological studies involving eucalyptus clones to identify those that are tolerant to water stress become important.The objective of this study was to assess morphological and physiological responses by eucalyptus clones subjected to drought stress and rehydration.The experiment consisted of three eucalyptus clones:VC865,I224 and I144 and two water regimes:control and water stress followed by rehydration,with six replicates.Leaf water potential,gas exchange,maximum quantum efficiency of photo systemⅡand plant height and stem diameter were evaluated under drought stress and rehydration.After6 d of rehydration,the number of leaves,leaf area and dry mass of root,leaf,stem and their total were evaluated.All clones showed intense reduction of gas exchange during the drought stress period,and only VC865 and 1144 showed rapid recovery with 3 d of rehydration.Clone 1224 showed greater reduction in height,stem diameter,number of leaves,water potential at midday(Ψ_(w)_(Midday)),and maximum quantum efficiency of photosystemⅡ(F_(v)/F_(m)).Clones VC865and T144 showed lower reductions inΨ_(wMidday)and F_(v)/F_(m) under stress.VC865 had lower reductions in leaf number,leaf area and higher leaf dry mass,while clone I144 had higher height and lower reduction in root dry mass under.Both these clones showed higher water use efficiency with 3d of rehydration.These different phenotypic plasticities gave the clones VC865 and 1144 efficient mechanisms of acclimatization to stress and more drought tolerance,enhancing their greater capacity for recovery after stress,which allowed lower dry mass reduction.Clone 1224,however,was more susceptible to drought stress,undergoing greater physiological damage with only partial recovery during rehydration.