[1] Rocket observations of electron time dispersion which occurs at energies below the primary inverted-V electron precipitation exhibit a variety of characteristics in the dispersion timescale and flux intensity distribution. We present simulation results that illustrate how different dispersion signatures can be produced by resonant acceleration and deceleration of auroral electrons by inertial Alfvén waves. We investigate the individual effects of relevant parameters such as the altitude of the inverted-V potential, Alfvén wave amplitude, wave velocity, and source electron population. The energies to which Alfvén waves can accelerate electrons are primarily determined by the peak Alfvén speed below the DC potential drop and to a lesser extent by the amplitude of the wave parallel electric field. The observed electron signatures can be used to obtain information about the peak Alfvén speed, the wave parallel electric field, the DC electric field, and plasma environment through which the waves propagate.

Methane conversion has been studied using gliding arc plasma in the presence of argon. The process was conducted at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature. The focus of this research was to develop a process of converting methane to C2 hydrocarbons and hydrogen. The main parameters, including the CH4/Ar mole ratio, the CH4 flow rate, the input voltage, and the minimum electrode gap, were varied to investigate their effects on methane conversion rate, product distribution, energy consumption, carbon deposit, and reaction stability. The specific energy requirement (SER) was used to express the energy utilization efficiency of the process and provided a practical guidance for optimizing reaction conditions for improving energy efficiency. It was found that the carbon deposition was not conducive to methane conversion, and the gliding arc plasma discharge reached a stable state twelve minutes later. Optimum conditions for methane conversion were suggested. The maximum methane conversion rate of 43.39% was obtained under the optimum conditions. Also, C2 hydrocarbons selectivity, C2 hydrocarbons yield, H2 selectivity, H2 yield and SER were 87.20%, 37.83%, 81.28%, 35.27%, and 2.09 MJ/mol, respectively.

No abstract

Background SLC25A22, a member of mitochondrial carrier system (MCS) family encoding a mitochondrial glutamate transporter, has been reported to have vital roles in promoting proliferation and migration in cancer. Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common biliary tract malignancy and has a poor prognosis. We aimed to determine the expression and function of SLC25A22 in GBC. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining analysis and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were conducted to determine the expression of SLC25A22 in GBC tissues. Human NOZ and GBC-SD cells were used to perform the experiments. The protein expression was detected by western-blot analysis. Cell viability was evaluated via CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay. Cell migration and invasion in vitro were investigated by wound healing and transwell assay. Annexin V/PI staining assay for apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. The effect of SLC25A22 in vivo was conducted with subcutaneous xenograft. Results We indicated that the expression of SLC25A22 was significantly upregulated in GBC tumor tissues as well as cell lines. Downregulation of SLC25A22 inhibited GBC cell growth and proliferation in vitro and in vivo and also had an effect on metastasis of GBC cells through the EMT processes. In addition, inhibition of SLC25A22 promoted mitochondrial apoptosis via downregulating BCL-2 and upregulating cleaved PARP, Cytochrome-c, and BAX mediated by MAPK/ERK pathway. Conclusions Our study identified that SLC25A22 promoted development of GBC activating MAPK/ERK pathway. SLC25A22 has a potential to be used as a target for cancer diagnosis of GBC and related therapies.

No abstract