Association between gut microbiota and anxiety disorders: a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: There are many articles reporting that the component of intestinal microbiota implies a link to anxiety disorders (AD), and the brain-gut axis is also a hot topic in current research. However, the specific relevance between gut microbiota and AD is uncertain. We aimed to investigate causal relationship between gut microbiota and AD by using bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: Genetic instrumental variable (IV) for the gut microbiota were obtained from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 18,340 participants. Summary data for AD were derived from the GWAS and included 158,565 cases and 300,995 controls. We applied the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the main analysis. Cochran's Q values was computed to evaluate the heterogeneity among IVs. Sensitivity analyses including intercept of MR-Egger method and MR-PRESSO analysis were used to test the horizontal pleiotropy. RESULT: We discovered 9 potential connections between bacterial traits on genus level and AD. Utilizing the IVW method, we identified 5 bacterial genera that exhibited a direct correlation with the risk of AD: genus Eubacteriumbrachygroup, genus Coprococcus3, genus Enterorhabdus, genus Oxalobacter, genus Ruminiclostridium6. Additionally, we found 4 bacterial genera that exhibited a negative association with AD: genus Blautia, genus Butyricicoccus, genus Erysipelotrichaceae-UCG003 and genus Parasutterella. The associations were confirmed by the sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Our study found a causal relation between parts of the gut microbiota and AD. Further randomized controlled trials are crucial to elucidate the positive effects of probiotics on AD and their particular protection systems.

Association of refractive outcome with postoperative anterior chamber depth measured with 3 optical biometers.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the relationship between refractive outcomes and postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD, measured from corneal epithelium to lens) measured by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT), optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR), and Scheimpflug devices under the undilated pupil. METHODS: Patients undergoing cataract phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in a hospital setting were enrolled. Postoperative ACD (postACD) was performed with an SS-OCT device, an OLCR device, and a Scheimpflug device at least 1 month after cataract surgery. After adjusting the mean predicted error to 0, differences in refractive outcomes were calculated with the Olsen formula using actual postACD measured from 3 devices and predicted value. RESULTS: Overall, this comparative case study included 69 eyes of 69 patients, and postACD measurements were successfully taken using all 3 devices. The postACD measured with the SS-OCT, OLCR, and Scheimpflug devices was 4.59 ± 0.30, 4.50 ± 0.30, and 4.54 ± 0.32 mm, respectively. Statistically significant differences in postACD were found among 3 devices (P < 0.001), with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman showing good agreement. No significant difference in median absolute error was found with the Olsen formula using actual postACD obtained with 3 devices. Percentage prediction errors were within ± 0.50 D in 65% (OLCR), 70% (Scheimpflug), and 67% (SS-OCT) calculated by actual postACD versus 64% by predicted value. CONCLUSION: Substantial agreement was found in postACD measurements obtained from the SS-OCT, OLCR, and Scheimpflug devices, with a trend toward comparable refractive outcomes in the Olsen formula. Meanwhile, postACD measurements may be potentially superior for the additional enhancement of refractive outcomes.

Effect of ultrasonic homogenization on crude oil-water emulsion stability.

This research aims to evaluate the effect of ultrasonic processing parameters (power and sonication time), emulsion characteristics (water salinity and pH) and their interaction on oil-in-water emulsion stability for Cold Lake Blend (CLB) crude oil. Response surface methodology was used to design experimental runs, in which the parameters were investigated at five levels. Emulsion stability was evaluated by measuring creaming index, emulsion turbidity and microscopic image analysis. The effect of crude oil condition (fresh and weathered) on the emulsion stability was also investigated at the optimum sonication parameters and emulsion characteristics. The optimum condition was found at a power level of 76-80 W, sonication time of 16 mins, water salinity of 15 g/L NaCl, and pH of 8.3. Increasing sonication time beyond the optimum value had adverse effect on the emulsion stability. High water salinity (> 20 g/L NaCl) and pH (> 9) decreased the emulsion stability. These adverse effects intensified at higher power levels (> 80-87 W) and longer sonication times (> 16 mins). Interaction of parameters showed that the required energy to generate stable emulsion was within 60 - 70 kJ. Emulsion with fresh crude oil was more stable than those generated with the weathered oil.

Extracellular vesicles promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of lens epithelial cells under oxidative stress.

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO), resulting from residual lens epithelial cell (LEC) epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), abnormal proliferation, and migration, is the most common complication of cataract surgery. A recent study determined that extracellular vesicles (EVs) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) regulate the EMT process during cutaneous wound healing and tumour metastasis. However, their underlying mechanism in PCO is unclear. In this study, we examined the secreted EVs from a scratch model in vitro. We found that the production of ROS was increased after mechanical injury, especially at the wound edge, and there was an increased viability of LECs, which can be blocked by diphenyleneiodonium, an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Cell viability and migration were increased upon treatment with 1 µM H2O2, but significantly reduced when the concentration of H2O2 increased to 100 µM. Transwell assay showed that both post-surgery LECs and LECs treated with 1 µM H2O2 significantly induced the migration of normal LECs by EV secretion. Extraction and quantification of EVs derived from injured and H2O2-treated LECs showed a similar increase in production. Co-incubation of EVs from both injured and H2O2-treated LECs with normal LECs and organ-cultured mouse lenses activated EMT, which was attenuated by a ROS inhibitor. These results suggest that EVs participate in ROS-induced lens EMT, making EVs a potential target for treating PCO.

Characteristics of an Eight-Quadrant Corner Reflector Involving a Reconfigurable Active Metasurface.

The traditional corner reflector is a type of classical passive jamming equipment but with several shortcomings, such as fixed electromagnetic characteristics and a poor response to radar polarization. In this paper, an eight-quadrant corner reflector equipped with an electronically controlled miniaturized active frequency-selective surface (MAFSS) for X band is proposed to obtain better radar characteristics controllability and polarization adaptability. The scattering characteristics of the new eight-quadrant corner reflector for different switchable scattering states (penetration/reflection), frequency and polarization are simulated and analyzed. Results show that the RCS modulation depth, which is jointly affected by the electromagnetic wave frequency and incident directions, can be maintained above 10 dB in the majority of directions, and even larger than 30 dB at the resonant frequency. Moreover, the RCS adjustable bandwidth can be as wide as 1 GHz in different incident directions.

Integrated probabilistic-fuzzy synthetic evaluation of drinking water quality in rural and remote communities.

An integrated probabilistic-fuzzy synthetic evaluation (PFSE) approach was developed for assessing drinking water quality in rural and remote communities (RRCs) through the lens of health risks and aesthetic impacts. The probabilistic health risk assessment can handle aleatory uncertainty raised by the variation of contaminant concentrations, and fuzzy synthetic evaluation (FSE) can address vagueness and ambiguity in human perception of risks and aesthetic impacts. The PFSE approach was applied to five RRCs in British Columbia, Canada where different drinking water quality issues, including high metal(loids) concentrations, the presence of coliforms, and poor aesthetics were reported. Cancer, non-cancer, and microbial risks assessed, as well as both quantitative and qualitative aesthetic impact assessment outcomes, were aggregated into synthetic water quality indices for water quality ranking. The probabilistic health risk assessment results revealed significant health risks for a community with relatively high arsenic concentrations (mean value = 7.0 µg/L) in the water supply. The microbial risks were also found significant (disability-adjusted life years >1 × 10-6) for all communities because of the presence of coliforms in the water. The FSE results indicated that the drinking water quality of five RRCs was associated with high aggregated impacts, which concurred with the "poor" water quality ratings according to the Canadian Water Quality Index. The water quality of the five RRCs was ranked based on the synthetic water quality evaluation indices. The PFSE approach can help decision-makers prioritize RRCs in effective resource allocation for addressing drinking water quality issues.

Performance analysis of dual-frequency lidar in the detection of the complex wind field.

Due to short coherent length of the laser, traditional single frequency lidar (SFL) uses echoes of adjacent samples to retrieve Doppler wind velocity, which inevitably brings about a dilemma of high range resolution and velocity resolution. Dual-frequency lidar (DFL), however, with a frequency difference locating at the radar band, can process the laser echoes with a radar processing framework while maintaining a good wind sensing ability in clear air. In this paper, performances of SFL and DFL are analyzed in terms of different conditions like pulse duration, number of sampling points in processing, wind distribution, signal to noise ratio (SNR), etc. It is shown that, for a complex wind field, DFL has the potential to retrieve the Doppler velocity with high velocity and range resolution, even in a relatively low SNR condition.

Dually acid- and GSH-triggered bis(ß-cyclodextrin) as drugs delivery nanoplatform for effective anticancer monotherapy.

The intrinsic poor solubility and limited load capacity of ß-cyclodextrins (ß-CDs) results in reduced bioavailability, rendering the material unsuitable in complex biological environments. In this work, a pair of ß-CDs was methylated and covalently linked with acid-sensitive acylhydrazone and GSH-sensitive disulfide bonds to ensure a precise drug release pattern. The hydrophobic anticancer drug doxorubicin (Dox) was encapsulated inside the hydrophobic core of bis(ß-CD) via hydrophobic association with loading capacity of 24% in weight and a hydrodynamic size of about 100 nm. When exposed to acidic and reductive environments, the acylhydrazone and disulfide bonds were found to be cleaved, resulting in Dox release. Using fluorescence imaging and flow cytometry analysis, the designed bis(ß-CD) were determined to activate the drug release behavior by specific intracellular stimuli (pH and GSH). In vivo studies demonstrated specific drug delivery characteristics and controlled drug release behaviors in the tumor sites, giving rise to high antitumor activity and low toxicity. Taken in concert, this dual stimuli-responsive bis(ß-CD) with superior amphiphilicity and biocompatibility features showed great potential for future clinical applications.

Accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation in primary angle-closure disease: comparison of 7 formulas.

PURPOSE: To assess the accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation formulas Barrett Universal II (BUII), Hill-Radial Basis Function (RBF) 3.0, Kane, Ladas Super Formula (LSF), Haigis, Hoffer Q, and SRK/T in primary angle-closure disease (PACD). METHODS: A total of 129 PACD eyes were enrolled. Prediction refraction was calculated for each formula and compared with actual refraction. Accuracy was determined by formula performance index (FPI), median absolute error (MedAE) and percentage of eyes with a prediction error (PE) within ± 0.50D. Subgroup analysis was performed according to axial length (AL). RESULTS: Overall, FPI was ranked as follows: Kane (0.067), RBF 3.0 (0.064), Haigis (0.062), SRK/T (0.060), BUII (0.058), Hoffer Q (0.055), and LSF (0.049). Kane got the highest (71.3%) percentage of eyes with PE within ± 0.50 D. In medium AL eyes (22 mm < AL ≤ 25 mm), FPI ranked the same as in total group. MedAEs were equal across all formulas (P = 0.121). In short eyes (AL ≤ 22 mm), FPI was Kane (0.055), RBF 3.0 (0.050), SRK/T (0.050), Haigis (0.049), BUII (0.047), Hoffer Q (0.045), and LSF (0.033). MedAEs were significantly different across all formulas (P = 0.033). Haigis showed the lowest MedAE (0.35 D), Haigis and Kane got the highest percentage (63.6%) of eyes with PE within ± 0.50 D. CONCLUSION: Kane outperformed in total PACD eyes; RBF 3.0, Haigis, and SRK/T achieved satisfying performance. When dealing with PACD eyes shorter than 22 mm, Kane achieved the best accuracy. RBF 3.0, SRK/T, Haigis, and BUII achieved comparable outcomes. No formula showed superiority over others for medium AL PACD eyes.

Refractive outcomes of second-eye adjustment methods on intraocular lens power calculation in second eye.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the refractive outcomes of second-eye adjustment (SEA) methods in different intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas for second eye following bilateral sequential cataract surgery. METHODS: This retrospective consecutive case-series study included 234 eyes from 234 patients who underwent bilateral sequential phacoemulsification and implantation of enVista MX60 in a hospital setting. Postoperative refraction outcomes calculated by standard formulas (SRK/T and Barrett Universal II, BUII) with SEA method were compared with those calculated by an artificial intelligence-based IOL power calculation formula (PEARL DGS) under second eye enhancement (SEE) method. The median absolute error (MedAE), mean absolute error (MAE) and percentage prediction errors (PE) of eyes within ±0.25 diopters (D), ±0.50 D, ±0.75 D and ± 1.00 D were determined. RESULTS: Overall, the improvement in MedAE after SEA was significant for PEARL DGS (p < 0.01), SRK/T (p < 0.001) and BUII (p = 0.031), which increased from 74.36, 71.37, and 77.78% to 83.33, 80.34, and 79.49% of eyes within a PE of ±0.50 D, respectively. For first eyes with a medium axial length (22-26 mm), PEARL DGS with SEE had the lowest MedAE (0.21 D). For a first-eye MAE over 0.50 D, SEA method led to significant improvement in the second eye (p < 0.01). Interocular axis length differences exceeding 0.3 mm were associated with weaker effects using SEA in the studied formulas (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Either SEA method with SRK/T and BUII formulas or second-eye enhancement method based on the PEARL DGS formula can improve postoperative refractive outcomes in second eye.

An integrated geospatial correlation analysis and human health risk assessment approach for investigating abandoned industrial sites.

An integrated geospatial correlation analysis (GCA)-human health risk assessment (HHRA) approach was developed to investigate abandoned industrial sites featured by heterogeneous contamination data. Critical areas of high health risk concerns can be prioritized for remediation using the integrated approach. An abandoned chemical complex site in Hubei, China was investigated as a case study. GCA and HHRA were performed using soil and groundwater sampling data collected in 2016 and 2019. Benzene, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzenes, 2-nitrochlorobenzene, and α-hexachlorocyclohexane were determined to be critical contaminants in soil. The 2019 sampling data revealed new contaminated locations that were not found in the 2016 sampling campaign. High concentrations (89.81-386.55 mg/L) of vinyl chloride were also found in groundwater samples. Several critical location clusters of high concentrations of dichlorobenzenes, chlorobenzene, and α-hexachlorocyclohexane were found within the site according to the GCA outcomes. These contaminants could pose significant cancer and non-cancer risks to onsite workers. The critical areas were ranked according to cancer and non-cancer risks estimated by HHRA, respectively, for informed remediation planning. Among the critical contaminants, α-hexachlorocyclohexane, 2-nitrochlorobenzene, and 1,4-dichlorobenzene in soil, as well as vinyl chloride in groundwater, contributed a predominant part to the total health risk. The integrated approach can be used to assess the contamination of other similar abandoned industrial complex sites.

Path integration (PI) method for the parameter-retrieval of aircraft wake vortex by Lidar.

Aircraft wake is a pair of strong counter-rotating vortices generated behind a flying aircraft. It might be very hazardous to a following aircraft and the real-time detection of it is of great interest in aviation safety field. Vortex-core positions and velocity circulations, which respectively represent the location and strength of a wake, are two characteristic parameters that have attracted the main attention in wake vortex detection. This paper introduces a new algorithm, the Path Integration (PI) method, to retrieve the characteristic parameters of wake vortex. The method uses Doppler velocity distribution to locate the vortex-core positions, and the integration of Doppler velocity along a LOS (line-of-sight) is derived as a linear expression about the circulations. From this expression, the circulations can be solved with the least square method. Moreover, an vortex-core position adjusting method is proposed to compensate the compressing and expanding effects of wake vortex caused by the scanning of Lidar beam. Basically, the use of Doppler velocity integration can improve the method's adaptability in turbulence environment and mitigate the impact of noise. Numerical examples and field detection data from Hong Kong international airport and Tsingtao Liuting airport have well verified the good performance of the method, in terms of both accuracy and efficiency.

Accuracy evaluation of objective refraction using the wavefront aberrometer in pseudophakic eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of wavefront-derived objective refraction in pseudophakic eyes. METHODS: Retrospective case series. A total of 356 eyes (356 patients) that underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation were included. Noncycloplegic subjective manifest refraction (MR) and objective refraction results from the wavefront aberrometer were obtained and compared. Subgroup analysis of objective refraction at 2.6-mm zone was performed based on axial length (AL) and average keratometry. RESULTS: The biases (at the 2.6-mm, 3-mm, and 4-mm zones) were - 0.29 ± 0.37 D, - 0.53 ± 0.41 D, and - 0.51 ± 0.60 D for sphere; - 0.27 ± 0.36 D, - 0.52 ± 0.38 D, and - 0.53 ± 0.51 D for spherical equivalent (SE); 0.03 ± 0.20 D, 0.03 ± 0.22 D, and 0.04 ± 0.27 D for J0; and 0.01 ± 0.16 D, 0.03 ± 0.22 D, and 0.01 ± 0.22 D for J45, respectively. Objective refraction for sphere, SE, and J0 (at 2.6 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm) was significantly different from MR (P < 0.05), while J45 values were equal. The objective refraction at 2.6 mm was the most accurate in short eyes (≤ 22.5 mm) with a minimum bias for SE (- 0.15 ± 0.28 D) and highest percentage of SE within ± 0.25 to ± 0.75 D of MR. However, there was no difference between the keratometry subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The wavefront aberrometer achieved the best accuracy at 2.6 mm in pseudophakic eyes with short AL. It still needs modification to be used as a substitute for MR in such patients.

Accuracy of intraocular lens power calculations in paediatric eyes.

IMPORTANCE: There is no clear consensus on which intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formula provides the best refractive prediction in the paediatric population. BACKGROUND: To evaluate the predictability of desired postoperative refractive outcomes by using six IOL formulas in paediatric cataract cases. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 377 eyes in 377 paediatric patients (<13 years of age) who received primary IOL implants in the capsular bag. METHODS: This study utilized formulas, namely, SRK II, SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1, T2 and Super formula. Prediction errors were calculated based on the difference between the postoperative refraction and the refraction predicted by each formula. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The mean prediction error, mean absolute error, median absolute error, percentages of eyes within the prediction errors of ±0.50 D, ±1.00 D and ± 2.00 D. RESULTS: The mean axial length was 22.48 ± 1.91 mm (<22.0 mm for 161 eyes). The average age at surgery was 55.21 ± 28.01 months (<24 months for 37 eyes). The mean prediction error was positive (hyperopic error) with all formulas. Compared to the other IOL power formulas, SRK II showed significantly higher absolute errors (P < .001). Hoffer Q and Holladay 1 generated the least absolute error, followed closely by Super formula. Multiple logistic analyses indicated that age at time of surgery was an independent factor significantly contributing to the refractive surprise using all formulas. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: SRK II was the least predictable formula in this study. HofferQ and Holladay 1 yielded the best predictive values.

Application of Ionic Liquids for Chemical Demulsification: A Review.

In recent years, ionic liquids have received increasing interests as an effective demulsifier due to their characteristics of non-flammability, thermal stability, recyclability, and low vapor pressure. In this study, emulsion formation and types, chemical demulsification system, the application of ionic liquids as a chemical demulsifier, and key factors affecting their performance were comprehensively reviewed. Future challenges and opportunities of ionic liquids application for chemical demulsification were also discussed. The review indicted that the demulsification performance was affected by the type, molecular weight, and concentration of ionic liquids. Moreover, other factors, including the salinity of aqueous phase, temperature, and oil types, could affect the demulsification process. It can be concluded that ionic liquids can be used as a suitable substitute for commercial demulsifiers, but future efforts should be required to develop non-toxic and less expensive ionic liquids with low viscosity, and the demulsification efficiency could be improved through the application of ionic liquids with other methods such as organic solvents.

Refractive predictability using two optical biometers and refraction types for intraocular lens power calculation in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation in relation to optical biometry devices and refraction types. METHODS: Patients undergoing cataract phacoemulsification and insertion of the MX60 IOL were enrolled. Optical biometric measurements were performed with both IOLMaster 700 and Lenstar 900. Biometry measurements were compared between devices. A subsample of 133 eyes (81.1%) had examination for both autorefraction and subjective refraction postoperatively. The differences between the postoperative refraction and the refraction predicted by eight formulas (Kane, Hill-RBF 2.0, Barrett Universal II, Olsen, Haigis, SRK/T, Holladay 1 and Hoffer Q) were calculated. RESULTS: Overall, this study comprised 164 eyes of 164 patients. High agreement between the two biometers for axial length, average keratometry readings, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness and central corneal thickness was found (interclass correlation confidents: 0.999, 0.988, 0.965, 0.865 and 0.972, respectively, all P < 0.001). The absolute prediction error calculated with IOLMaster 700 measurements was significantly lower than that calculated with Lenstar 900 measurements for Olsen (P = 0.003), Haigis (P < 0.001) and Hoffer Q (P = 0.028). OPD-Scan III gave slightly more negative readings than subjective refraction (mean difference - 0.107 ± 0.553, P = 0.003 for spherical equivalent). However, no significant difference in absolute prediction error was found between the two refraction types per each formula. CONCLUSION: IOLMaster 700 and Lenstar 900 showed good agreement in biometric measurements with a trend toward better refractive outcome using IOLMaster 700. The accuracy of IOL calculation assessed with OPD autorefraction was equivalent to that assessed with subjective refraction.

Effect of wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) on fine particle (PM2.5) emission from coal-fired boilers.

In this study, the characteristics of fine particles before and after wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) in three coal-fired heating boilers in northern China were investigated by using a dilution-based emission sampling experimental system. The influences of the WFGD process on the mass and number concentrations as well as the chemical composition of fine particles were analyzed. The removal efficiency of desulfurization processes on particulate matter mass was 30.06%-56.25% for the three study units. The WFGD had a great influence on the size distributions of particle mass concentration and number concentration. A significant increase in the number and mass concentration of particles in the size range of 0.094-0.946 µm was observed. The water-soluble ion content accounted for a very large proportion of PM2.5 mass, and its proportion in PM2.5 increased from 28.39%-41.08% to 48.96%-61.21% after the WFGD process for the three units. The desulfurizing process also drastically increased the proportion of cation component (Ca2+ for unit A, Mg2+ for unit B, and Na+ for unit C) and the proportion of SO42- in PM2.5, and it increased the CE/AE values of PM2.5 from 0.82-0.98 to 0.93-1.27 for the three study units.

Parameter-retrieval of dry-air wake vortices with a scanning Doppler Lidar.

A wake vortex is a form of irregular airflow generated by a flying aircraft, which can cause a severe hazard for aviation. To quantify the hazard of a wake after fully roll-up and before rebound, this paper proposes an algorithm to retrieve its characteristic parameters (circulations, vortex-core positions, and vortex-core radii) with a scanning Doppler Lidar. In the algorithm, a governing equation related to the Doppler velocities and characteristic parameters is established based on the aerosols' weak inertia, from which the target parameters are solved with an optimization method. During the process, the distortion of Doppler velocity caused by the scanning of the Lidar beam is adjusted by the Doppler acceleration to achieve better estimations of the target characteristic parameters. Good performance of the algorithm has been verified by simulation and field detection data.

A 3DBER-S-EC process for simultaneous nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater with low organic carbon content.

A new process was proposed by integrating a three-dimensional biofilm electrode reactor with sulfur autotrophic denitrification and electrocoagulation within the same reactor. The results indicated that under the wastewater influent condition of NO3--N = 30 mg/L, COD = 45 mg/L, total phosphorus (TP) = 1.5 mg/L, hydraulic retention time (HRT) = 8 h, and I = 400 mA, the NO3--N and TP removal of the proposed process reached 89.8% and 83.0%, respectively. It was observed that the electrocoagulation process improved phosphorus removal, while the simultaneous existence of heterotrophic, hydrogen, sulfur and iron autotrophic denitrifying bacteria led to enhanced and stabilized nitrogen removal. The Sulfuritalea hydrogenivorans sk43H and Sulfuricella denitrificans skB26 were found as the dominant denitrifying bacteria in the electrocoagulation section and the section of biofilm electrode with sulfur filler, respectively. As compared to conventional technologies, the proposed new process can achieve simultaneous, stable and deep nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater treatment plant effluent with low organic carbon content.

Assessment of the Remediation Effect of Nano-hydroxyapatite in Exogenous Pb-contaminated Soil Using Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure and Soil Enzyme Activities.

Lead (Pb) is one of the most abundant metal soil pollutants. In this research, effects of nano-hydroxyapatite (NHAP) on remediation of Pb-contaminated soil were evaluated by the measure of extractable Pb using toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and soil enzyme activities. Results suggested NHAP significantly decreased the concentrations of extractable Pb, achieving the maximum decrement rate of 75.71%. Activity of urease decreased with increasing Pb concentrations. Moreover, activities of alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase, and catalase increased at the lower Pb levels and decreased at the higher Pb levels. NHAP had a positive effect on regulating soil enzymes. Thus, soil enzyme activities, especially dehydrogenase, could be used as biological indicators of Pb pollution and NHAP remediation. Moreover, NHAP could reduce the mobility and bioavailability of Pb, while increasing enzyme activities, thereby lowering the leaching risk and biotoxicity of Pb.