The potential effects of N-Acyl homoserine lactones on aerobic sludge granulation during phenolic wastewater treatment.

The formation of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is relatively difficult during the treatment of refractory wastewater, which generally shows small granular sizes and poor stability. The formation of AGS is regulated by N-Acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs)-mediated quorum sensing (QS). However, the potential role of AHLs in AGS formation under the toxic stress of refractory pollutants and the heterogeneity in the distribution and function of AHLs across different aggregates are not well understood. This study investigated the potential effects of AHLs on the formation of AGS during phenolic wastewater treatment. The distribution and succession of AHLs across varying granular sizes and development stages of AGS were investigated. Results showed that AGS was successfully formed in 13 days with an average granular size of 335 ± 39 µm and phenol removal efficiency of >99%. The levels of AHLs initially increased and then decreased. C4-HSL and 3-oxo-C10-HSL were enriched in large granules, suggesting they may play a pivotal role in regulating the concentration and composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The content of EPS constantly increased to 149.4 mg/gVSS, and protein (PN) was enriched in small and large granules. Luteococcus was the dominant genus constituting up to 62% after the granulation process, and exhibited a strong association with C4-HSL. AHLs might also regulate the bacterial community responsible for EPS production, and pollutant removal, and facilitate the proliferation of slow-growing microorganisms, thereby enhancing the formation of AGS. The synthesis and dynamics of AHLs were mainly governed by AHLs-producing bacterial strains of Rhodobacter and Pseudomonas, and AHLs-quenching strains of Flavobacterium and Comamonas. C4-HSL and 3-oxo-C10-HSL might be the major contributors to promoting sludge granulation under phenol stress and play critical roles in large granules. These findings enhance our understanding of the roles that AHLs play in sludge granulation under toxic conditions.

Characteristics of dissolved organic matter in point-source wastewaters at a petrochemical plant: Molecular constituents and contributions to the influent of wastewater treatment plant.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in point-source petrochemical wastewaters (PCWs) from different operating units is closely linked to the efficiency of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). However, systematic studies on DOM characters of point-source PCWs and their influences on WWTP influents were seldom conducted. In this study, DOM in three low-salinity point-source PCWs and four high-salinity point-source PCWs at a typical petrochemical plant were comprehensively characterized at a molecular level. Orbitrap mass spectrometry results indicated that point-source PCWs had diverse DOM constituents tightly related to the corresponding petrochemical processes. Phenols in oily wastewaters (OW), phenols and N-containing compounds in coal partial oxidation wastewater (POXW), and naphthenic acids (NAs) and aromatic acids in crude oil electric desalting unit wastewater (EDW) were characteristic DOM constituents for low-salinity point-source PCWs. While S-containing compounds (mercaptans, thiophenes) and NAs in spent caustic liquors (SCL), alcohols and esters in butanol-octanol plant wastewater (BOW), high molecular weight aromatic ketones in phenol-acetone plant wastewater (PAW), and oxygenated NAs as well as short chain N-containing compounds in concentrate from reverse osmosis unit (ROC) were characteristic DOM constituents for high-salinity point-source PCWs. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that though with relative low pollutant contents (OW) and discharge volume (EDW), N/O/S-containing compounds of OW and EDW greatly contributed to the polar DOM constituents of low-salinity influent in WWTP (R > 0.5, P < 0.001). While N-containing compounds of ROC mainly contributed to the polar DOM of high-salinity influent (R > 0.5, P < 0.001). Though N-/S-containing species in PAW had low contents, they also posed obvious impacts on DOM constituents of high-salinity influent. Interestingly, some O-/S-containing species were newly formed during the confluent process of high-salinity point-source PCWs. The results strengthened the combined contributions of pollutants contents, discharge emission and DOM constituents of point-source PCWs to the water matrix of WWTP influents, which would provide reference for the management of PCW streams.

Efficient removal of naphthenic acids from real petroleum wastewater by natural pyrite activated persulfate system.

The petroleum wastewater (PWW) contains a diverse range of recalcitrant organic contaminants. Of particular concern is the removal of naphthenic acids (NAs) due to the high toxicity and persistence. Persulfate (PS) based oxidation processes have shown promising in treating refractory wastewater, while the high costs of prepared catalysts limited their widespread implementation. This study aims to develop a cost-effective natural pyrite activated PS system for PWW treatment. The removal of NAs by pyrite/PS system was initially investigated. More than 90% of cyclohexanoic acid (CHA), a model NA, was removed in pyrite/PS system (2.0 g/L pyrite, 4.0 mM PS) at initial pH of 3-11. Scavenging experiments revealed that Fe(II) on pyrite surface was the reactive site for PS activation to generate reactive species, including sulfate radical (SO4·-), Fe(IV) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) for CHA degradation. Reactions of Fe(III) with S helped restore Fe(II) and enhance PS activation, resulting in the sustained catalytic activity of pyrites over five cycles. Cl-, SO42- and NO3- below 10 mM had minimal impact on CHA degradation in pyrite/PS system. However, over 1 mM of HCO3- inhibited 80% of CHA removal due to the buffer effect to maintain the high solution pH. Removing HCO3- from real PWW restored the removal of CHA and of total organic carbon (TOC) to over 90% and 71.3% in pyrite/PS system, respectively. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) results indicated that O2‒6 species including NAs were primarily eliminated through mineralization and oxygen addition. Besides, O3-5S, NO3-5S and N3O2‒4 species were the most susceptible to oxidation in PWW, resulting in the increase of the oxidation level (i.e., O/Cwa) from 0.41 to 0.56 after treatment. This study provides valuable insights into the treatment of NAs in real PWW, and potential application of natural minerals in the treatment of industrial wastewater.

Transformation of dissolved organic matter at a full-scale petrochemical wastewater treatment plant.

Transformation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in petrochemical wastewater (PCW) treatment has rarely been studied. In this work, low- and high-salinity PCW were collected from a treatment plant and the transformations of DOM at molecular level along the treatment processes of both PCW were comparatively investigated. By using Orbitrap MS, the polar DOM constituents were categorized into five molecular classes namely saturated compounds, aliphatics, highly unsaturated and phenolic compounds (Huph), polyphenols and condensed polycyclic aromatics (Cpla). Aliphatics (58.62%) with low molecular weight (150-250 Da) and O/C (0-0.2) were dominant in raw low-salinity PCW; while Huph (65.03%) with O/C at 0.2-0.8 were rich in raw high-salinity PCW. After full-scale treatment, differentiated DOM constituents in both raw PCWs were transformed into aliphatics and Huph with O/C at 0.3-0.5. Anoxic/Oxic treatment of low-salinity system (L-A/O) removed a high fraction of aliphatics (53.05%); while Huph with low O/C (0.1-0.3) (65.68%) in the effluent of L-A/O were further mineralized by ozonation of low-salinity system (L-ozonation). In comparison, anoxic/oxic treatment of high-salinity system (H-A/O) mainly removed unsaturated Huph (34.10%) and aliphatics (30.86%). This resulted in a decrease of dissolved organic carbon as indicated via Spearman correlation. Different from L-ozonation, ozonation of high-salinity system (H-ozonation) degraded aliphatics (26.09%) and Huph (41.85%) with a relatively high O/C (0.2-1.2). After L-A/O and L-ozonation treatments, remaining saturated compounds that were originated from raw low-salinity PCW, were removed by subsequent biological aerated filter. Comparatively, after H-A/O and H-ozonation treatments, residual Huph and aliphatics which were mainly bio-derivates and ozonated intermediates, were further removed by air flotation filter. Hence, DOM transformation of different PCWs along similar treatments varied significantly. This study provides in-depth insights on DOM transformation along a full-scale PCW treatment process.

Surface Protection and Interface Regulation for Zn Anode via 1-Hydroxy Ethylidene-1,1-Diphosphonic Acid Electrolyte Additive toward High-Performance Aqueous Batteries.

Metallic zinc is regarded as an ideal anode material for high-energy aqueous zinc ion batteries owing to its high theoretical capacity, low cost, and abundant resource. However, the undesirable dendrite formation and side reactions occurring on Zn anode during the long-term cycling process seriously restrict the electrochemical performance of the device. Herein, 1-hydroxy ethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) is used as electrolyte additive to release the chemical corrosion and hydrogen evolution occurring on Zn anode based on the absorption of HEDP on the Zn foil. Moreover, the strong coordination of HEDP with Zn2+ can balance ion flux at the electrode/electrolyte interface, thus inducing uniform Zn deposition. Thereby, Zn anode exhibits a prolonged cycle life of reversible Zn plating/stripping under different current densities (2800 h at 2 mA cm-2 , 1 mAh cm-2 , and more than 1772 h at 4 mA cm-2 , 1 mAh cm-2 ). Moreover, the cell shows a high average coulombic efficiency of ≈99.6% for ≈600 cycles at 1 mA cm-2 with a cycling capacity of 1 mAh cm-2 . This work provides a facile yet effective method for developing reversible aqueous zinc metal batteries.

Alkaline fermentation of refinery waste activated sludge mediated by refinery spent caustic for volatile fatty acids production.

Volatile fatty acids (VFA), produced from waste activated sludge (WAS), provide unique opportunities for resource recovery in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigates the potential of refinery spent caustic (RSC) on VFA production during refinery WAS (RWAS) alkaline fermentation. The highest VFA yield was 196.3 mg/g-VS at a sludge retention time of 6 days. Amplicon sequencing revealed the enrichment of Soehngenia (20.21%), Bacilli (11.86%), and Brassicibacter (4.17%), which was associated with improved activities of protease (626%) and α-glucosidase (715%). Function prediction analysis confirmed that acetyl-CoA production and fatty acid biosynthesis were enhanced, while fatty acid degradation was inhibited. Accordingly, hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and acetogenesis were improved by 6.87%, 10.67%, and 28.50%, respectively; whereas methanogenesis was inhibited by 28.87%. The sulfate and free ammonia in RSC likely contributed to increased acetic acid production. This study showcases that RWAS alkaline fermentation mediated by RSC for VFA production is the practicable approach.

An enhanced disintegration using refinery spent caustic for anaerobic digestion of refinery waste activated sludge.

Alkali-mediated disintegration is efficient to improve the anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge (WAS). In the present study, the role and potential of refinery spent caustic (RSC), an alkaline hazardous waste, in enhancing the disintegration of refinery waste activated sludge (RWAS) was investigated. The high alkalinity and free ammonia of RSC destroyed the microbial cell wall and promoted the release of intracellular substances. The contents of N-acetylglucosamine and proteins in the disintegrated liquid greatly increased to 0.41 mg/L and 1147 mg/L, respectively, relative to no disintegration (0.04 mg/L and 3.3 mg/L). The methane production (66.1 mL/g-VS) from RWAS anaerobic digestion increased by 226% compared to without disintegration (20.3 mL/g-VS). This study provides a newly developed "wastes-treat-wastes" management approach of refinery wastewater using combined treatment processes for RWAS and RSC using a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly disintegration of RWAS.

Influences of integrated coagulation-ozonation pretreatment on the characteristics of dissolved organic pollutants (DOPs) of heavy oil electric desalting wastewaters.

The quality of heavy oil electric desalting wastewaters (HO-EDWs) affects the effectiveness of refinery wastewater treatment plants. In this study, an integrated coagulation-ozonation (ICO) process was used to pretreat HO-EDWs and the influences on the characteristics of dissolved organic pollutants (DOPs) were investigated. Coagulation using aluminum sulfate removed 39% of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), 21% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), 57% of petroleum hydrocarbons and 38% of polar oils from Liaohe HO-EDWs and the biodegradability was greatly improved. Ozonation removed 33% of SCOD and 88% of polar oils from the coagulated HO-EDWs. Most species of aromatic compounds, phenols, aliphatic acids, anilines and naphthenic acids with high C numbers and ring numbers were degraded and the unsaturation degrees of DOPs significantly decreased under ozonation. As a result, the biodegradability was further improved and the acute toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri was substantially reduced. Some OxS1 species and organic nitrogen compounds in HO-EDWs were penetrated through ozonation and caused the residual biotoxicity. The results demonstrate the potential of ICO pretreatment for improving the quality of refractory HO-EDWs.

Characteristics of bacterial populations in an industrial scale petrochemical wastewater treatment plant: Composition, function and their association with environmental factors.

The efficiency of petrochemical wastewater biological treatment is dependent upon complex bacterial communities. A well understanding of the structure and function of bacterial community and their association with environmental variables is essential for the elucidation of contaminant removal mechanisms and optimization of wastewater treatment processes. In this study, the bacterial communities and metabolic functions in the primary hydrolysis acidification unit (PHAU), cyclic activated sludge system (CASS), secondary hydrolysis acidification unit (SHAU), and biological aerated filter (BAF) of a petrochemical wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were studied via Illumina high-throughput sequencing. The correlations between bacterial community and environmental variables were also investigated. The phylum Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes were dominant in the petroleum WWTP. The bacterial communities varied with wastewater characteristics and operational parameters, as a result of the differences in biosystems functions. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the genes involved in the degradation of benzoate, nitrotoluene and aminobenzoate degradation were abundant in PHAU, and the genes related to the degradation of benzoate, aminobenzoate, chloroalkane, chloroalkene, caprolactam, naphthalene and toluene were abundant in CASS, SHAU and BAF. The Redundancy analysis (RDA) suggested that biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), NH4+-N and total nitrogen concentrations exhibited significant impacts in shaping the structure of bacterial community. Variance partitioning analysis (VPA) showed that 18.6% of the community variance was related to wastewater characteristics, higher than operational parameters of 4.5%. These results provide insight into microbial community structure and metabolic function during petrochemical wastewater treatment, and discern the relationships between bacterial community and environmental variables, which can provide basic data and a theoretical analysis of the design and operation optimization in petrochemical WWTP.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1 controls allergic airway inflammation by suppressing IL-5-producing TH2 cells through the Notch/Gata3 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Asthmatic and allergic inflammation is mediated by TH2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13). Although we have learned much about how TH2 cells are differentiated, the TH2 checkpoint mechanisms remain elusive. OBJECTIVES: In this study we investigate how monocyte chemotactic protein-induced protein 1 (MCPIP1; encoded by the Zc3h12a gene) regulates IL-5-producing TH2 cell differentiation and TH2-mediated inflammation. METHODS: The functions of Zc3h12a-/- CD4 T cells were evaluated by checking the expression of TH2 cytokines and transcription factors in vivo and in vitro. Allergic airway inflammation of Zc3h12a-/- mice was examined with murine asthma models. In addition, antigen-specific CD4 T cells deficient in MCPIP1 were transferred to wild-type recipient mice, challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) or house dust mite (HDM), and accessed for TH2 inflammation. RESULTS: Zc3h12a-/- mice have spontaneous severe lung inflammation, with an increase in mainly IL-5- and IL-13-producing but not IL-4-producing TH2 cells in the lung. Mechanistically, differentiation of IL-5-producing Zc3h12a-/- TH2 cells is mediated through Notch signaling and Gata3 independent of IL-4. Gata3 mRNA is stabilized in Zc3h12a-/- TH2 cells. MCPIP1 promotes Gata3 mRNA decay through the RNase domain. Furthermore, deletion of MCPIP1 in OVA- or HDM-specific T cells leads to significantly increased TH2-mediated airway inflammation in OVA or HDM murine models of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals that MCPIP1 regulates the development and function of IL-5-producing TH2 cells through the Notch/Gata3 pathway. MCPIP1 represents a new and promising target for the treatment of asthma and other TH2-mediated diseases.

Potential of wheat bran to promote indigenous microbial enhanced oil recovery.

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is an emerging oil extraction technology that utilizes microorganisms to facilitate recovery of crude oil in depleted petroleum reservoirs. In the present study, effects of wheat bran utilization were investigated on stimulation of indigenous MEOR. Biostimulation conditions were optimized with the response surface methodology. The co-application of wheat bran with KNO3 and NH4H2PO4 significantly promoted indigenous MEOR (IMEOR) and exhibited sequential aerobic (O-), facultative (An-) and anaerobic (A0-) metabolic stages. The surface tension of fermented broth decreased by approximately 35%, and the crude oil was highly emulsified. Microbial community structure varied largely among and in different IMEOR metabolic stages. Pseudomonas sp., Citrobacter sp., and uncultured Burkholderia sp. dominated the O-, An- and early A0-stages. Bacillus sp., Achromobacter sp., Rhizobiales sp., Alcaligenes sp. and Clostridium sp. dominated the later A0-stage. This study illustrated occurrences of microbial community succession driven by wheat bran stimulation and its industrial potential.

Regulation and Immune Function of IL-27.

IL-27 is a pleiotropic cytokine that has diverse immune regulatory activities under both physiological and pathological conditions. IL-27 enhances the functions of Th1 and CD8+ T cells, promotes the development of Tfh and Tr1, and suppresses the functions of Th2, Treg, Th9, and Th17 cells. IL-27 is also involved in regulation of immune responses of B cells, NK, DCs, and macrophages. IL-27 production is strictly regulated at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Given its broad effects on immune regulation, IL-27 has been implicated in the pathogeneses of autoimmune and infectious diseases as well as cancers. In this chapter, the biological characters of IL-27 have been reviewed, including the molecular mechanisms of IL-27 production and the underlying cellular signaling pathway. The regulatory effects of IL-27 on immune responses in autoimmune disease, infectious disease, and cancer are also discussed.

Hepatitis B virus induces IL-23 production in antigen presenting cells and causes liver damage via the IL-23/IL-17 axis.

IL-23 regulates myriad processes in the innate and adaptive immune systems, and is a critical mediator of the proinflammatory effects exerted by Th17 cells in many diseases. In this study, we investigated whether and how hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes liver damage directly through the IL-23 signaling pathway. In biopsied liver tissues from HBV-infected patients, expression of both IL-23 and IL-23R was remarkably elevated. In vivo observations also indicated that the main sources of IL-23 were myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and macrophages. Analysis of in vitro differentiated immature DCs and macrophages isolated from healthy donors revealed that the HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) efficiently induces IL-23 secretion in a mannose receptor (MR)-dependent manner. Culture with an endosomal acidification inhibitor and the dynamin inhibitor showed that, upon binding to the MR, the HBsAg is taken up by mDCs and macrophages through an endocytosis mechanism. In contrast, although the HBV core antigen (HBcAg) can also stimulate IL-23 secretion from mDCs, the process was MR- and endocytosis-independent. In addition, IL-23 was shown to be indispensible for HBsAg-stimulated differentiation of naïve CD4(+) T cells into Th17 cells, which were determined to be the primary source of IL-17 in HBV-infected livers. The cognate receptor, IL-17R, was found to exist on the hepatic stellate cells and mDCs, both of which might represent the potential target cells of IL-17 in hepatitis B disease. These data provide novel insights into a yet unrecognized mechanism of HBV-induced hepatitis, by which increases in IL-23 expression, through an MR/endocytosis-dependent or -independent manner, produce liver damage through the IL-23/IL-17 axis.

Association of Pneumococcal Carriage and Expression of Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells and Th17 Cells in the Adenoids of Children.

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal carriage in the nasopharynx is a primary means of transmission and a necessary prerequisite for pneumococcal disease. OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the relationship between expressions of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells, and pneumococcal carriage in the adenoids of children who were either positive or negative for pneumococci. METHODS: We collected adenoidal tissue and nasopharyngeal swab samples from children undergoing an adenoidectomy. Adenoidal mononuclear cells were isolated, cultured and then stimulated with culture concentrated supernatant (CCS) obtained from a D39 bacterial strain. RESULTS: Foxp3+ Treg cells were upregulated and Th17 cells were downregulated in populations of adenoidal mononuclear cells obtained from the pneumococcus-positive group. Following CCS stimulation, the increment in Foxp3+ Treg cells in the pneumococcus-positive group was significantly greater than that in the pneumococcus-negative group, while the increment in Th17 cells was less as compared to that in the pneumococcus-negative group. These results were consistent with variations in levels of Foxp3 mRNA and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt mRNA in adenoidal mononuclear cells. Levels of IL-17A and IL-6 in adenoid tissue were higher in the pneumococcus-negative group, and the levels of TGF-ß in adenoid tissue were lower in the pneumococcus-negative group compared to the pneumococcus-positive group. Pneumococcal carriage in children was closely associated with the expressions of Foxp3+ Treg and Th17 cells in the adenoid. CONCLUSION: Upregulation of Foxp3+ Treg cells might downregulate the production of Th17 cells in the adenoid, resulting in decreased scavenging of Streptococcus pneumoniae and chronic pneumococcal carriage.

Conditional knockout of the NSD2 gene in mouse intestinal epithelial cells inhibits colorectal cancer progression.

BACKGROUND: Nuclear receptor-binding SET domain 2 (NSD2) is a histone methyltransferase, that catalyzes dimethylation of lysine 36 of histone 3 (H3K36me2) and is associated with active transcription of a series of genes. NSD2 is overexpressed in multiple types of solid human tumors and has been proven to be related to unfavorable prognosis in several types of tumors. METHODS: We established a mouse model in which the NSD2 gene was conditionally knocked out in intestinal epithelial cells. We used azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate to chemically induce murine colorectal cancer. The development of colorectal tumors were investigated using post-necropsy quantification, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with wild-type (WT) control mice, NSD2fl/fl -Vil1-Cre mice exhibited significantly decreased tumor numbers, histopathological changes, and cytokine expression in colorectal tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Conditional knockout of NSD2 in intestinal epithelial cells significantly inhibits colorectal cancer progression.

High expression of SULF1 is associated with adverse prognosis in breast cancer brain metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and in advanced stages, it often metastasizes to the brain. However, research on the biological mechanisms of breast cancer brain metastasis and potential therapeutic targets are limited. METHODS: Differential gene expression analysis (DEGs) for the datasets GSE43837 and GSE125989 from the GEO database was performed using online analysis tools such as GEO2R and Sangerbox. Further investigation related to SULF1 was conducted using online databases such as Kaplan-Meier Plotter and cBioPortal. Thus, expression levels, variations, associations with HER2, biological processes, and pathways involving SULF1 could be analyzed using UALCAN, cBioPortal, GEPIA2, and LinkedOmics databases. Moreover, the sensitivity of SULF1 to existing drugs was explored using drug databases such as RNAactDrug and CADSP. RESULTS: High expression of SULF1 was associated with poor prognosis in advanced breast cancer brain metastasis and was positively correlated with the expression of HER2. In the metastatic breast cancer population, SULF1 ranked top among the 16 DEGs with the highest mutation rate, reaching 11%, primarily due to amplification. KEGG and GSEA analyses revealed that the genes co-expressed with SULF1 were positively enriched in the 'ECM-receptor interaction' gene set and negatively enriched in the 'Ribosome' gene set. Currently, docetaxel and vinorelbine can act as treatment options if the expression of SULF1 is high. CONCLUSIONS: This study, through bioinformatics analysis, unveiled SULF1 as a potential target for treating breast cancer brain metastasis (BM).

Thioacetamide Additive Homogenizing Zn Deposition Revealed by In Situ Digital Holography for Advanced Zn Ion Batteries.

Zinc ion batteries are considered as potential energy storage devices due to their advantages of low-cost, high-safety, and high theoretical capacity. However, dendrite growth and chemical corrosion occurring on Zn anode limit their commercialization. These problems can be tackled through the optimization of the electrolyte. However, the screening of electrolyte additives using normal electrochemical methods is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Herein, a fast and simple method based on the digital holography is developed. It can realize the in situ monitoring of electrode/electrolyte interface and provide direct information concerning ion concentration evolution of the diffusion layer. It is effective and time-saving in estimating the homogeneity of the deposition layer and predicting the tendency of dendrite growth, thus able to value the applicability of electrolyte additives. The feasibility of this method is further validated by the forecast and evaluation of thioacetamide additive. Based on systematic characterization, it is proved that the introduction of thioacetamide can not only regulate the interficial ion flux to induce dendrite-free Zn deposition, but also construct adsorption molecule layers to inhibit side reactions of Zn anode. Being easy to operate, capable of in situ observation, and able to endure harsh conditions, digital holography method will be a promising approach for the interfacial investigation of other battery systems.

Fungal biomineralization of toxic metals accelerates organic pollutant removal.

Fungal biomineralization plays an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of metals in the environment and has been extensively explored for bioremediation and element biorecovery. However, the cellular and metabolic responses of fungi in the presence of toxic metals during biomineralization and their impact on organic matter transformations are unclear. This is an important question because co-contamination by toxic metals and organic pollutants is a common phenomenon in the natural environment. In this research, the biomineralization process and oxidative stress response of the geoactive soil fungus Aspergillus niger were investigated in the presence of toxic metals (Co, Cu, Mn, and Fe) and the azo dye orange II (AO II). We have found that the co-existence of toxic metals and AO II not only enhanced the fungal biomineralization of toxic metals but also accelerated the removal of AO II. We hypothesize that the fungus and in situ mycogenic biominerals (toxic metal oxalates) constituted a quasi-bioreactor, where the biominerals removed organic pollutants by catalyzing reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation resulting from oxidative stress. We have therefore demonstrated that a fungal/biomineral system can successfully achieve the goal of toxic metal immobilization and organic pollutant decomposition. Such findings inform the potential development of fungal-biomineral hybrid systems for mixed pollutant bioremediation as well as provide further understanding of fungal organic-inorganic pollutant transformations in the environment and their importance in biogeochemical cycles.

Evaluation of a Ca-modified porphyritic andesite for ammonium removal in the anaerobic digestion process.

In this study, a Ca-modified porphyritic andesite (wheat-rice-stone (WRS)) was developed for the anaerobic digestion of ammonium-rich wastes. The Ca-modified WRS was obtained with integrated Ca-salt treatment and calcination. Scanning electron microscope and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analyses were performed to characterize the Ca-modified WRS, and adsorption isotherms and kinetics were investigated to clarify the adsorption mechanism. The ammonium adsorption process was explained well with a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The specific surface area of the Ca-modified WRS was determined to be 4.56 sq. m/g, and the maximum NH4(+)-N adsorption capacity was determined to be 45.45 mg/g. These values are improvements over those of natural WRS. The ammonium adsorption capacity remained constant at a pH range from 5.0 to 9.0, which indicates that Ca-modified WRS is a promising material for various applications. The methane-production and chemical oxygen demand-removal aspects of anaerobic digestion were much improved with the addition of Ca-modified WRS. Therefore, Ca-modified WRS could be developed into a viable ammonium adsorbent for the anaerobic digestion of ammonium-rich wastes.

[Diagnostic value of Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder].

OBJECTIVE: To study the value of the Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale (VADPRS) in the diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: VADPRS were completed by parents of 319 children with suspected ADHD. The children were then evaluated by a specialist based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) and 196 of them were diagnosed with ADHD. The value of VADPRS in the diagnosis of attention deficit and hyperactivity was evaluated using ROC curves. Diagnostic evaluation indexes at best operating point were calculated. Kappa values were calculated to explore the consistency of items in VADPRS and corresponding items in the DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: The area under the ROC curve for the diagnosis of attention deficit by VADPRS was 0.791. At the best operating point, its sensitivity was 0.83, specificity was 0.63, positive predictive value was 0.69 and negative predictive value was 0.79. The area under the ROC curve for the diagnosis of hyperactivity by VADPRS was 0.855. At the best operating point, its sensitivity was 0.82, specificity was 0.76, positive predictive value was 0.65, and negative predictive value was 0.88. The negative predictive value of VADPRS in general population screen was 0.99, based on the results of this study. The consistency of items in the VADPRS and corresponding items in DSM-Ⅳ criteria was poor, with the Kappa value of most items being less than 0.40. CONCLUSIONS: VADPRS is suitable for a general population screen for ADHD and it is helpful in the clinical diagnosis of ADHD, but its results can be influenced by parents' awareness and perception of children's behavior, and cannot replace the interview and judgment of professionals.