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Dual-emissive fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) were prepared through the solvothermal method with citric acid and urea as raw materials and dimethylformamide as the solvent. Two emission peaks were observed at 465 nm and 630 nm. Hg2+ could selectively quench the fluorescence at 630 nm, but the fluorescence intensity at 465 nm was less affected. Accordingly, a ratiometric fluorescence sensor for Hg2+ detection was developed, with a linear detection range of 0.5–40 μM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 37 nM. The dual-emissive CDs were loaded on the surface of the filter paper to fabricate Hg2+ detection test paper. The color of the test paper could be changed from pink purple to blue by the addition of Hg2+, and thus the qualitative and quantitative detection of Hg2+ could be realized. The concentration distinguishable by the naked eye reached 50 μM, and the quantitative detection range was 5–10,000 μM. This method shows excellent selectivity for Hg2+ and can be used to detect Hg2+ in real water samples, providing a highly potential sensing platform for rapid on-site detection of mercury ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunoglobulin superfamily containing leucine-rich repeat (Islr) contains an Ig-like domain, an LRR motif, and a transmembrane domain and is highly expressed in various chicken tissues. Although Islr has known roles in muscle regeneration, its role in the regulation of muscle atrophy has not been studied. In this study, we constructed Islr-silenced or Islr-overexpressed myoblasts to investigate its role during the differentiation of myoblasts into myotubes. The results showed that Islr was highly expressed in chicken skeletal muscle tissue and regulated myoblast differentiation, but not proliferation. Islr regulated the expression of atrophy-related genes including atrogin-1 and MuRF-1, and could rescue dexamethasone-induced atrophy in myoblasts and myotubes. Western blot analysis indicated that Islr participates in myoblast atrophy through IGF/PI3K/AKT-FOXO signaling. Meanwhile, the expression of caspase-8 and caspase-9 increased in Islr-silenced groups, indicating its role in cell viability. Taken together, these data suggested that Islr plays an important role in myoblasts differentiation, and which can alleviate skeletal muscle atrophy and prevents muscle cell apoptosis via IGF/PI3K/AKT-FOXO signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isothermal combustion characteristics of anthracite and spent coffee grounds briquettes in a bench-scale fixed-bed furnace were examined by using a macro-thermogravimetric analysis approach between 873 and 1173 K. The combustion performances in terms of the conversion rates, flame evolution, pollutant emissions, ash compositions and ash fusion temperatures of two anthracite/spent coffee grounds blend briquettes with blending ratios of 40% and 60% were also compared with those of their individuals. There was only an obvious peak in DTG profile for every sample at each temperature. At 973 K, the average burning rate of the spent coffee grounds was about 8 times higher than that of the anthracite. The average burning rate of 60% anthracite/40% spent coffee grounds blend at 1173 K increased by about 3 times in comparison with that at 873 K. NO2 emissions for the four samples were much less than other gaseous emissions. The four ash fusion temperatures for the anthracite were higher than 1791 K. The deformation temperature, softening temperature, hemispherical temperature and flow temperature for the spent coffee grounds were 1526, 1626, 1687 and 1791 K. The ash fusion characteristics of the spent coffee grounds were improved by blending the anthracite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combustion behaviors of anthracite coal/spent coffee grounds under oxy-fuel condition were assessed by a thermal analysis technique. At heating rates of 10-40 K min, the ignition temperatures and burnout temperatures of all anthracite coal/spent coffee grounds blends decreased with increasing the blending ratios of biomass or oxygen contents in O/CO atmospheres. The ignition temperatures of all samples at the similar oxygen content in oxy-fuel with that of air were higher than that in air atmosphere. In 30 % O/70 % CO atmosphere, the average ignition and comprehensive performance indices of anthracite coal/spent coffee grounds at 40 K min were about 4 times and 18 times more than that at 10 K min, respectively. At heating rate of 20 K min, the comprehensive performance indices of all samples in 30 % O/70 % CO were very close to those in air. In air and O/CO (21-40 % oxygen contents) atmospheres, the activation energies of release and combustion for volatile matters in the blends ranged from 33.66 to 147.32 kJ mol. Activation energies of char combustion in the blends ranged from 21.06 to 109.49 kJ mol. There were more significant synergistic effects between anthracite coal and spent coffee grounds during co-combustion in air and oxy-fuel atmospheres at 40 K min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combustion behaviors of lignite/eucalyptus bark under oxy-fuel condition were assessed based on a thermal analysis technique. The influences of oxygen concentration, heating rates and blending ratios on oxy-fuel combustion performances were revealed, which were compared with those in air. The ignition and comprehensive combustion indices increased with increasing oxygen contents during oxy-fuel combustion. At three heating rates of 10, 15 and 20 K min, the average comprehensive performance indices of lignite/eucalyptus bark in 40 %O/60 %CO were about 5-7 times more than those in air. The average comprehensive performance indices of lignite/eucalyptus bark in air were about 2-3 times more than those in O/CO atmosphere at analogous oxygen content. At heating rate of 20 K min, the ignition and comprehensive performance indices of lignite/eucalyptus bark in 25 %O/75 %CO were very near to those in air. The combustion kinetics were also evaluated in conjunction with volatile matter and fixed carbon burning periods using Doyle's and Coats-Redfern's models. The oxy-fuel combustion kinetics of lignite/eucalyptus bark at oxygen content of 30 % was similar to that in air. There were more significant synergistic effects between lignite and eucalyptus bark during their co-combustion in air and O/CO with oxygen contents of 25 and 30 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]