Parameters optimization using an artificial neural networks and release characteristics of humic acids during lignite bioconversion.

The bioconversion of coal at ambient conditions is a promising technology for coal processing. However, there are few examples of the optimization of processes for industrial-scale use. In this work, the optimization of process parameters affecting lignite bioconversion by an isolated fungus WF8 using an artificial neural network (ANN) combined with a genetic algorithm (GA) was carried out for modeling of humic acids (HAs) yield and parameters. Kinetic models were used to understand the release characteristics of HAs from the bioconversion of lignite. The results of the present work indicate that the optimal process parameters (OPP) are 29 °C, initial pH of 7, 180 rpm, 0.6 mmol·L-1 of CuSO4, 0.4 mmol L-1 of MnSO4, and 6.4 µmol·L-1 of veratryl alcohol (VA). The predicted experimental data obtained by ANN is similar to the actual and the significant correlation coefficient value (R2) of 0.99 indicates that ANN has good predictability. The actual yield of HAs are 5.17 mg·mL-1. During bioconversion, the fungus WF8 could loosen and attack the structure of lignite. The release of HAs produced by bioconversion of lignite under the OPP via diffusion and swelling is fit to zero-order model independent on concentration. This provides support for the industrial bioconversion of lignite.

Aquaporin-4 Reduces Post-Traumatic Seizure Susceptibility by Promoting Astrocytic Glial Scar Formation in Mice.

Seizures are important neurological complications after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and are reported for up to 50% of patients with TBI. Despite several studies, no drug strategy has been able to alter the biological events leading to epileptogenesis. The glial water channel, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), was shown to facilitate cytotoxic cell swelling in ischemia and glial scar formation after stab wound injury. In this study, we examined post-traumatic seizure susceptibility of AQP4-deficient mice (AQP4-/-) after injection of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 1 month after controlled cortical impact (CCI) and compared them to wild-type sham injury controls. After PTZ injection, AQP4-/- mice demonstrated dramatically shortened seizure latency (120 ± 40 vs. 300 ± 70 sec; p < 0.001) and increased seizure severity (grade 7.5 ± 0.4 vs. 5.8 ± 0.4; p < 0.001) compared to their wild-type counterparts. Morphometric analysis demonstrated a significant 2-fold reduction in astrocytosis, with a concomitant increase in microgliosis in injured AQP4-null mice compared to their injured wild-type counterparts (44 ± 2 vs. 24 ± 3 cells per high power field [cells/hpf], respectively; p < 0.0001). Minocycline, an inhibitor of microglia, reversed the post-TBI epilepsy phenotype of AQP4-null mice. After minocycline treatment, AQP4-/- mice demonstrated similar latency of seizures evoked by PTZ (723 ± 35 vs. 696 ± 38 sec; p > 0.05) and severity of seizures evoked by PTZ (grade 4.0 ± 0.5 vs. 3.81 ± 0.30; p > 0.05) compared to wild-type counterparts. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated decreased immunostaining of microglia to levels comparable to wild-type (12 ± 2 vs. 11 ± 4 cells/hpf, respectively; p > 0.05). Taken together, these results suggest a protective role of AQP4 in post-traumatic seizure susceptibility by promoting astrogliosis, formation of a glial scar, and preventing microgliosis.

Effects of Cd and Pb on diversity of microbial community and enzyme activity in soil.

Pollution due to heavy metals is a serious global environmental problem, particularly in China. It is thus important to study the effects of heavy metal pollution, especially in mining areas. Cadmium(Cd) and lead(Pb) severely damage the microbial life in soil. The concentration of heavy metals and their toxic effects on microbes and enzymes in soil were examined in this study using contaminated soil samples. The Biolog method was used to analyze the characteristics of the microbial community. The results showed that the addition of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in different concentrations has a significant impact on microbial and enzyme activity in soil. With an increase in their concentrations, activities of the microbial community and enzymes decreased gradually. Each index related to the structure of the microbial community in soil decreased, indicating that pollution due to Cd and Pb reduced its size and functional activity. This study provides a reference for future research on the functional diversity of the microbial community in soil and plays its role in their environmental management.

Effects of Different Energy Substrates and Nickel and Cadmium Ions on the Growth of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Its Application for Disposal of Ni-Cd Batteries.

In the present work, the effects of different energy substrates and nickel ions (Ni2+) and cadmium ions (Cd2+) on the growth of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) were investigated. Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) was the optimum energy substrate for A. ferrooxidans growth, among the selected substrates. When cultured together with FeSO4 and sulphur (S), A. ferrooxidans first oxidised the ferrous ions (Fe2+), and the S was utilised as the concentration of Fe2+ decreased. After adapting to culture with Ni2+ and Cd2+, A. ferrooxidans presented good tolerance to both ions, with the maximum concentration reaching 4.11 g/L Ni2+ and 1.69 g/L Cd2+. A preliminary simulation of industrial application was also performed on used Ni-Cd batteries. With bioleaching, the highest concentrations of Cd2+ and Ni2+ were 3003 mg/L at day 8 and 1863 mg/L at day 14, respectively.

Effects of Bacillus cereus strain Jdm1 on Meloidogyne incognita and the bacterial community in tomato rhizosphere soil.

Bacillus cereus strain Jdm1 was isolated and tested for activity as a biocontrol agent to suppress Meloidogyne incognita. Petri dish test results indicated that Jdm1 culture supernatant significantly inhibited the second-stage juvenile (J2) activity and egg hatching, and also decreased the number of galls on tomato roots in the pot test. Control efficiency reached 43%, with improved growth compared to control plants. In field tests, control efficacies were greater than 50% 30 day post-inoculation, before decreasing. Furthermore, when avermectins were included to manage M. incognita, the yield of tomatoes was increased significantly. The effect of Jdm1 on the bacterial community in the tomato rhizosphere soil was monitored using PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) on field plants. DGGE band patterns and principal component analysis showed that application of Jdm1 did not permanently imperil the bacterial community, which recovered soon after inoculation, despite being impacted initially. The plant growth stage had a much greater influence on the bacterial community in tomato rhizosphere soil.

Bioconversion of lignite humic acid by white-rot fungi and characterization of products.

Lignite humic acids (LHAs) were sequentially separated from lignite with aqueous NaOH and HCl and biotreated by an isolated fungus WF8. The liquid product (LP), residues (RS) and LHAs were analyzed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and a proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Three main enzymes in WF8 (i.e., lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccase) were also measured and analyzed with and without LHAs. The results show that LHAs can induce the ligninolytic enzymes. The oxidation and hydrogenation reactions proceeded to some extent, aromaticity in LHAs and carboxyl in LP decreased, and LHAs were converted into simpler LP via biochemical reactions by WF8.

Accelerated Degradation Test and Predictive Failure Analysis of B10 Copper-Nickel Alloy under Marine Environmental Conditions.

This paper studies the corrosion behavior of B10 copper-nickel alloy in marine environment. Accelerated degradation test under marine environmental conditions was designed and performed based on the accelerated testing principle and the corrosion degradation mechanism. With the prolongation of marine corrosion time, the thickness of Cu2O film increased gradually. Its corrosion product was Cu2(OH)3Cl, which increased in quantity over time. Cl- was the major factor responsible for the marine corrosion of copper and copper alloy. Through the nonlinear fitting of corrosion rate and corrosion quantity (corrosion weight loss), degradation data of different corrosion cycles, the quantitative effects of two major factors, i.e., dissolved oxygen (DO) and corrosion medium temperature, on corrosion behavior of copper alloy were analyzed. The corrosion failure prediction models under different ambient conditions were built. One-day corrosion weight loss under oxygenated stirring conditions was equivalent to 1.31-day weight loss under stationary conditions, and the corrosion rate under oxygenated conditions was 1.31 times higher than that under stationary conditions. In addition, corrosion medium temperature had a significant effect on the corrosion of B10 copper sheet.

Amyloid-ß/Fyn-induced synaptic, network, and cognitive impairments depend on tau levels in multiple mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder, is a growing public health problem and still lacks effective treatments. Recent evidence suggests that microtubule-associated protein tau may mediate amyloid-ß peptide (Aß) toxicity by modulating the tyrosine kinase Fyn. We showed previously that tau reduction prevents, and Fyn overexpression exacerbates, cognitive deficits in human amyloid precursor protein (hAPP) transgenic mice overexpressing Aß. However, the mechanisms by which Aß, tau, and Fyn cooperate in AD-related pathogenesis remain to be fully elucidated. Here we examined the synaptic and network effects of this pathogenic triad. Tau reduction prevented cognitive decline induced by synergistic effects of Aß and Fyn. Tau reduction also prevented synaptic transmission and plasticity deficits in hAPP mice. Using electroencephalography to examine network effects, we found that tau reduction prevented spontaneous epileptiform activity in multiple lines of hAPP mice. Tau reduction also reduced the severity of spontaneous and chemically induced seizures in mice overexpressing both Aß and Fyn. To better understand these protective effects, we recorded whole-cell currents in acute hippocampal slices from hAPP mice with and without tau. hAPP mice with tau had increased spontaneous and evoked excitatory currents, reduced inhibitory currents, and NMDA receptor dysfunction. Tau reduction increased inhibitory currents and normalized excitation/inhibition balance and NMDA receptor-mediated currents in hAPP mice. Our results indicate that Aß, tau, and Fyn jointly impair synaptic and network function and suggest that disrupting the copathogenic relationship between these factors could be of therapeutic benefit.