Identification of an exported heat shock protein 70 in Plasmodium falciparum

Host cell remodelling is a hallmark of malaria pathogenesis. It involves protein folding, unfolding and trafficking events and thus participation of chaperones such as Hsp70s and Hsp40s is well speculated. Until recently, only Hsp40s were thought to be the sole representative of the parasite chaperones in the exportome. However, based on the re-annotated Plasmodium falciparum genome sequence, a putative candidate for exported Hsp70 has been reported, which otherwise was known to be a pseudogene. We raised a specific antiserum against a C-terminal peptide uniquely present in PfHsp70-x. Immunoblotting and immunofluorescence-based approaches in combination with sub-cellular fractionation by saponin and streptolysin-O have been taken to determine the expression and localization of PfHsp70-x in infected erythrocyte. The re-annotated sequence of PfHsp70-x reveals it to be a functional protein with an endoplasmic reticulum signal peptide. It gets maximally expressed at the schizont stage of intra-erythrocytic life cycle. Majority of the protein localizes to the parasitophorous vacuole and some of it gets exported to the erythrocyte compartment where it associates with Maurer's clefts. The identification of an exported parasite Hsp70 chaperone presents us with the fact that the parasite has evolved customized chaperones which might be playing crucial roles in aspects of trafficking and host cell remodelling.

Heat and mass transfer and chemical transformation in a cerium nitrate droplet

This paper deals with the thermo-physical changes that a droplet undergoes when it is radiatively heated in a levitated environment. The heat and mass transport model has been developed along with chemical kinetics within a cerium nitrate droplet. The chemical transformation of cerium nitrate to ceria during the process is predicted using Kramers' reaction mechanism which justifies the formation of ceria at a very low temperature as observed in experiments. The rate equation modeled by Kramers is modified suitably to be applicable within the framework of a droplet, and predicts experimental results well in both bulk form of cerium nitrate and in aqueous cerium nitrate droplet. The dependence of dissociation reaction rate on droplet size is determined and the transient mass concentration of unreacted cerium nitrate is reported. The model is validated with experiments both for liquid phase vaporization and chemical reaction. Vaporization and chemical conversion are simulated for different ambient conditions. The competitive effects of sensible heating rate and the rate of vaporization with diffusion of cerium nitrate is seen to play a key role in determining the mass fraction of ceria formed within the droplet. Spatially resolved modeling of the droplet enables the understanding of the conversion of chemical species in more detail.

Heat and SDS insensitive NDK dimers are largely stabilised by hydrophobic interaction to form functional hexamer in Mycobacterium smegmatis

The primary structure and function of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK), a substrate non-specific enzyme involved in the maintenance of nucleotide pools is also implicated to play pivotal roles in many other cellular processes. NDK is conserved from bacteria to human and forms a homotetramer or hexamer to exhibit its biological activity. However, the nature of the functional oligomeric form of the enzyme differs among different organisms. The functional form of NDKs from many bacterial systems, including that of the human pathogen, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MtuNDK), is a hexamer, although some bacterial NDKs are tetrameric in nature. The present study addresses the oligomeric property of MsmNDK and how a dimer, the basic subunit of a functional hexamer, is stabilized by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Homology modeling was generated using the three-dimensional structure of MtuNDK as a template; the residues interacting at the monomer-monomer interface of MsmNDK were mapped. Using recombinant enzymes of wild type, catalytically inactive mutant, and monomer-monomer interactive mutants of MsmNDK, the stability of the dimer was verified under heat, SDS, low pH, and methanol. The predicted residues (Gln17, Ser24 and Glu27) were engaged in dimer formation, however the mutated proteins retained the ATPase and GTPase activity even after introducing single (MsmNDK- Q17A, MsmNDK-E27A, and MsmNDK-E27Q) and double (MsmNDK-E27A/Q17A) mutation. However, the monomer monomer interaction could be abolished using methanol, indicating the stabilization of the monomer-monomer interaction by hydrophobic interaction.

Thermodynamics of quantum heat engines

We consider a recently proposed four-level quantum heat engine (QHE) model to analyze the role of quantum coherences in determining the thermodynamic properties of the engine, such as flux, output power, and efficiency. A quantitative analysis of the relative effects of the coherences induced by the two thermal baths is brought out. By taking account of the dissipation in the cavity mode, we define useful work obtained from the QHE and present some analytical results for the optimal values of relative coherences that maximizes flux (hence output power) through the engine. We also analyze the role of quantum effects in inducing population inversion (lasing) between the states coupled to the cavity mode. The universal behavior of the efficiency at maximum power (EMP) is examined. In accordance with earlier theoretical predictions, to leading order, we find that EMP similar to eta(c)/2, where eta(c) is Carnot efficiency. However, the next higher order coefficient is system dependent and hence nonuniversal.

Apparatus and method for heat-run test on high-power PWM converters with low energy expenditure

Before installation, a voltage source converter is usually subjected to heat-run test to verify its thermal design and performance under load. For heat-run test, the converter needs to be operated at rated voltage and rated current for a substantial length of time. Hence, such tests consume huge amount of energy in case of high-power converters. Also, the capacities of the source and loads available in the research and development (R&D) centre or the production facility could be inadequate to conduct such tests. This paper proposes a method to conduct heat-run tests on high-power, pulse width modulated (PWM) converters with low energy consumption. The experimental set-up consists of the converter under test and another converter (of similar or higher rating), both connected in parallel on the ac side and open on the dc side. Vector-control or synchronous reference frame control is employed to control the converters such that one draws certain amount of reactive power and the other supplies the same; only the system losses are drawn from the mains. The performance of the controller is validated through simulation and experiments. Experimental results, pertaining to heat-run tests on a high-power PWM converter, are presented at power levels of 25 kVA to 150 kVA.

Solution of Time Dependent Joule Heat Equation for a Graphene Sheet Under Thomson Effect

We address a physics-based solution of joule heating phenomenon in a single-layer graphene (SLG) sheet under the presence of Thomson effect. We demonstrate that the temperature in an isotopically pure (containing only C-12) SLG sheet attains its saturation level quicker than when doped with its isotopes (C-13). From the solution of the joule heating equation, we find that the thermal time constant of the SLG sheet is in the order of tenths of a nanosecond for SLG dimensions of a few micrometers. These results have been formulated using the electron interactions with the inplane and flexural phonons to demonstrate a field-dependent Landauer transmission coefficient. We further develop an analytical model of the SLG specific heat using the quadratic (out of plane) phonon band structure over the room temperature. Additionally, we show that a cooling effect in the SLG sheet can be substantially enhanced with the addition of C-13. The methodologies as discussed in this paper can be put forward to analyze the graphene heat spreader theory.

Adsorption Isotherms and Heat of Adsorption of Difluoromethane on Activated Carbons

Experimental adsorption data of difluoromethane (HFC-32) on activated carbon in powder (ACP) and fiber (ACF) forms over a range of (25 to 75) degrees C and pressures up to 1400 kPa are reported. The data are fitted to Toth and Dubinin-Astakhov isotherm equations. Adsorbed phase volume is derived from the data. Isosteric heats of adsorption are extracted, and their dependence on relative loading and relative pressure is analyzed.

Experimental Investigation of Heat Fluxes in the Vicinity of Protuberances on a Flat Plate at Hypersonic Speeds

Heat transfer rates measured in front and to the side of a protrusion on an aluminum flat plate subjected to hypersonic flow at zero angle of attack are presented for two flow enthalpies of approximately 2 MJ/kg and 4.5 MJ/kg. Experiments were conducted in the hypersonic shock tunnel (HST2) and free piston driven HST3 at a freestream Mach number of 8. Heat transfer data was obtained for different geometries of the protrusion of a height of 4 mm, which is approximately the local boundary layer thickness. Comparatively high rates of heat transfer were obtained at regions of flow circulation in the separated region, with the hottest spot generally appearing in front of the protuberance. Experimental values showed moderate agreement with existing empirical correlations at higher enthalpy but not at all for the lower enthalpy condition, although the correlations were coined at enthalpy values nearer to the lower value. Schlieren visualization was also done to investigate the flow structures qualitatively.

On the images of Sobolev spaces under the heat kernel transform on the Heisenberg group

The aim of this paper is to obtain certain characterizations for the image of a Sobolev space on the Heisenberg group under the heat kernel transform. We give three types of characterizations for the image of a Sobolev space of positive order H-m (H-n), m is an element of N-n, under the heat kernel transform on H-n, using direct sum and direct integral of Bergmann spaces and certain unitary representations of H-n which can be realized on the Hilbert space of Hilbert-Schmidt operators on L-2 (R-n). We also show that the image of Sobolev space of negative order H-s (H-n), s(> 0) is an element of R is a direct sum of two weighted Bergman spaces. Finally, we try to obtain some pointwise estimates for the functions in the image of Schwartz class on H-n under the heat kernel transform. (C) 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

On the k(1)(-1) scaling in sink-flow turbulent boundary layers

Scaling of the streamwise velocity spectrum phi(11)(k(1)) in the so-called sink-flow turbulent boundary layer is investigated in this work. The present experiments show strong evidence for the k(1)(-1) scaling i.e. phi(11)(k(1)) = Lambda(1)U(tau)(2)k(1)(-1), where k(1)(-1) is the streamwise wavenumber and U-tau is the friction velocity. Interestingly, this k(1)(-1) scaling is observed much farther from the wall and at much lower flow Reynolds number (both differing by almost an order of magnitude) than what the expectations from experiments on a zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer flow would suggest. Furthermore, the coefficient A(1) in the present sink-flow data is seen to be non-universal, i.e. A(1) varies with height from the wall; the scaling exponent -1 remains universal. Logarithmic variation of the so-called longitudinal structure function, which is the physical-space counterpart of spectral k(1)(-1) scaling, is also seen to be non-universal, consistent with the non-universality of A(1). These observations are to be contrasted with the universal value of A(1) (along with the universal scaling exponent of 1) reported in the literature on zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layers. Theoretical arguments based on dimensional analysis indicate that the presence of a streamwise pressure gradient in sink-flow turbulent boundary layers makes the coefficient A(1) non-universal while leaving the scaling exponent -1 unaffected. This effect of the pressure gradient on the streamwise spectra, as discussed in the present study (experiments as well as theory), is consistent with other recent studies in the literature that are focused on the structural aspects of turbulent boundary layer flows in pressure gradients (Harun etal., J. Flui(d) Mech., vol. 715, 2013, pp. 477-498); the present paper establishes the link between these two. The variability of A(1) accommodated in the present framework serves to clarify the ideas of universality of the k(1)(-1) scaling.

CFT(4) partition functions and the heat kernel on AdS(5)

We consider four-dimensional CFTs which admit a large-N expansion, and whose spectrum contains states whose conformal dimensions do not scale with N. We explicitly reorganise the partition function obtained by exponentiating the one-particle partition function of these states into a heat kernel form for the dual string spectrum on AdS(5). On very general grounds, the heat kernel answer can be expressed in terms of a convolution of the one-particle partition function of the light states in the four-dimensional CFT. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effect of Inlet Jet injection angle on a calandria based reactor-An investigation with numerical analysis of heat and mass transfer for an optimum reactor design

Heat and mass transfer studies in a calandria based reactor is quite complex both due to geometry and due to the complex mixing flow. It is challenging to devise optimum operating conditions with efficient but safe working range for such a complex configuration. Numerical study known to be very effective is taken up for investigation. In the present study a 3D RANS code with turbulence model has been used to compute the flow fields and to get the heat transfer characteristics to understand certain design parameters of engineering importance. The angle of injection and of the coolant liquid has a large effect on the heat transfer within the reactor.

Effect of Heat Pipe Figure of Merit on an Evaporating Thin Film

The performance of a two-phase heat transport device such as the loop heat pipe is influenced by the evaporative heat transfer coefficient in the evaporator. From previous experiments with loop heat pipes, it has been observed that fluids with a high heat pipe figure of merit have a high heat transfer coefficient. Considering an evaporating extended thin film, this paper theoretically corroborates this experimental observation by deriving a direct link between the evaporative heat flux at the interface and the fluid figures of merit (namely interline heat flow parameter and heat pipe figure of merit) in the thin film. Numerical experiments with different working fluids clearly show that a fluid with high figure of merit also has a high cumulative heat transfer in the microregion encompassing the evaporating thin film. Thus, a loop heat pipe or heat pipe that uses a working fluid with a high interline heat flow parameter and heat pipe figure of merit will lead to a high evaporative heat transfer coefficient.