Facile and Eco-Friendly Approach To Produce Confined Metal Cluster Catalysts.

Zeolite-supported metal nanocluster catalysts have attracted significant attention due to their broad application in heterogeneously catalyzed reactions. The preparation of highly dispersed metal catalysts commonly involves the use of organic compounds and requires the implementation of complicated procedures, which are neither green nor deployable at the large scale. Herein, we present a novel facile method (vacuum-heating) which employs a specific thermal vacuum processing protocol of catalysts to promote the decomposition of metal precursors. The removal of coordinated H2O via vacuum-heating restricts the formation of intermediates (metal-bound OH species), resulting in catalysts with a uniform, metal nanocluster distribution. The structure of the intermediate was determined by in situ Fourier transform infrared, temperature-programmed decomposition, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements. This alternative synthesis method is eco-friendly and cost-effective as the procedure occurs in the absence of organic compounds. It can be widely used for the preparation of catalysts from different metal species (Ni, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn) and precursors and is readily scaled-up.

Room Temperature Ion Beam Synthesis of Ultra-Fine Molybdenum Carbide Nanoparticles: Toward a Scalable Fabrication Route for Earth-Abundant Electrodes.

Molybdenum carbides are promising low-cost electrocatalysts for electrolyzers, fuel cells, and batteries. However, synthesis of ultrafine, phase-pure carbide nanoparticles (diameter < 5 nm) with large surface areas remains challenging due to uncontrollable agglomeration that occurs during traditional high temperature syntheses. This work presents a scalable, physical approach to synthesize molybdenum carbide nanoparticles at room temperature by ion implantation. By tuning the implantation conditions, various molybdenum carbide phases, stoichiometries, and nanoparticle sizes can be accessed. For instance, molybdenum ion implantation into glassy carbon at 30 keV energy and to a fluence of 9 × 1016 at cm-2 yields a surface η-Mo3 C2 with a particle diameter of (10 ± 1) nm. Molybdenum implantation into glassy carbon at 60 keV to a fluence of 6 × 1016 at cm-2 yields a buried layer of ultrafine γ'-MoC/η-MoC nanoparticles. Carbon ion implantation at 20 keV into a molybdenum thin film produces a 40 nm thick layer primarily composed of ß-Mo2 C. The formation of nanoparticles in each molybdenum carbide phase is explained based on the Mo-C phase diagram and Monte-Carlo simulations of ion-solid interactions invoking the thermal spike model. The approaches presented are widely applicable for synthesis of other transition metal carbide nanoparticles as well.

Inducing Inorganic Carbon Accrual in Subsoil through Biochar Application on Calcareous Topsoil.

Biochar amendments add persistent organic carbon to soil and can stabilize rhizodeposits and existing soil organic carbon (SOC), but effects of biochar on subsoil carbon stocks have been overlooked. We quantified changes in soil inorganic carbon (SIC) and SOC to 2 m depth 10 years after biochar application to calcareous soil. The total soil carbon (i.e., existing SOC, SIC, and biochar-C) increased by 71, 182, and 210% for B30, B60, and B90, respectively. Biochar application at 30, 60, and 90 t ha-1 rates significantly increased SIC by 10, 38, and 68 t ha-1, respectively, with accumulation mainly occurring in the subsoil (below 1 m). This huge increase of SIC (mainly CaCO3) is ∼100 times larger than the inorganic carbon present in the added biochar (0.3, 0.6, or 0.9 t ha-1). The benzene polycarboxylic acid method showed that the biochar-amended soil contained more black carbon particles (6.8 times higher than control soil) in the depth of 1.4-1.6 m, which provided the direct quantitative evidence for biochar migration into subsoil after a decade. Spectral and energy spectrum analysis also showed an obvious biochar structure in the biochar-amended subsoil, accompanied by a Ca/Mg carbonate cluster, which provided further evidence for downward migration of biochar after a decade. To explain SIC accumulation in subsoil with biochar amendment, the interacting mechanisms are proposed: (1) biochar amendment significantly increases subsoil pH (0.3-0.5 units) 10 years after biochar application, thus forming a favorable pH environment in the subsoil to precipitate HCO3-; and (2) the transported biochar in subsoil can act as nuclei to precipitate SIC. Biochar amendment enhanced SIC by up to 80%; thus, the effects on carbon stocks in subsoil must be understood to inform strategies for carbon dioxide removal through biochar application. Our study provided critical knowledge on the impact of biochar application to topsoil on carbon stocks in subsoil in the long term.

Oleylamine Aging of PtNi Nanoparticles Giving Enhanced Functionality for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

We report a rapid solution-phase strategy to synthesize alloyed PtNi nanoparticles which demonstrate outstanding functionality for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This one-pot coreduction colloidal synthesis results in a monodisperse population of single-crystal nanoparticles of rhombic dodecahedral morphology with Pt-enriched edges and compositions close to Pt1Ni2. We use nanoscale 3D compositional analysis to reveal for the first time that oleylamine (OAm)-aging of the rhombic dodecahedral Pt1Ni2 particles results in Ni leaching from surface facets, producing aged particles with concave faceting, an exceptionally high surface area, and a composition of Pt2Ni1. We show that the modified atomic nanostructures catalytically outperform the original PtNi rhombic dodecahedral particles by more than two-fold and also yield improved cycling durability. Their functionality for the ORR far exceeds commercially available Pt/C nanoparticle electrocatalysts, both in terms of mass-specific activities (up to a 25-fold increase) and intrinsic area-specific activities (up to a 27-fold increase).

C11orf70 Mutations Disrupting the Intraflagellar Transport-Dependent Assembly of Multiple Axonemal Dyneins Cause Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous disorder characterized by destructive respiratory disease and laterality abnormalities due to randomized left-right body asymmetry. PCD is mostly caused by mutations affecting the core axoneme structure of motile cilia that is essential for movement. Genes that cause PCD when mutated include a group that encode proteins essential for the assembly of the ciliary dynein motors and the active transport process that delivers them from their cytoplasmic assembly site into the axoneme. We screened a cohort of affected individuals for disease-causing mutations using a targeted next generation sequencing panel and identified two unrelated families (three affected children) with mutations in the uncharacterized C11orf70 gene (official gene name CFAP300). The affected children share a consistent PCD phenotype from early life with laterality defects and immotile respiratory cilia displaying combined loss of inner and outer dynein arms (IDA+ODA). Phylogenetic analysis shows C11orf70 is highly conserved, distributed across species similarly to proteins involved in the intraflagellar transport (IFT)-dependant assembly of axonemal dyneins. Paramecium C11orf70 RNAi knockdown led to combined loss of ciliary IDA+ODA with reduced cilia beating and swim velocity. Tagged C11orf70 in Paramecium and Chlamydomonas localizes mainly in the cytoplasm with a small amount in the ciliary component. IFT139/TTC21B (IFT-A protein) and FLA10 (IFT kinesin) depletion experiments show that its transport within cilia is IFT dependent. During ciliogenesis, C11orf70 accumulates at the ciliary tips in a similar distribution to the IFT-B protein IFT46. In summary, C11orf70 is essential for assembly of dynein arms and C11orf70 mutations cause defective cilia motility and PCD.

Intrinsic Effect of Nanoparticles on the Mechanical Rupture of Doubled-Shell Colloidal Capsule via In Situ TEM Mechanical Testing and STEM Interfacial Analysis.

The discovery of Pickering emulsion templated assembly enables the design of a hybrid colloidal capsule with engineered properties. However, the underlying mechanisms by which nanoparticles affect the mechanical properties of the shell are poorly understood. Herein, in situ mechanical compression on the transmission electron microscope and aberration-corrected scanning transmission microscope are unprecedentedly implemented to study the intrinsic effect of nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of the calcium carbonate (CaCO3 )-decorated silica (SiO2 ) colloidal capsule. The stiff and brittle nature of the colloidal capsule is due to the interfacial chemical bonding between the CaCO3 nanoparticles and SiO2 inner shell. Such bonding strengthens the mechanical strength of the SiO2 shell (166 ± 14 nm) from the colloidal capsule compared to the thicker single SiO2 shell (310 ± 70 nm) from the silica hollow sphere. At elevated temperature, this interfacial bonding accelerates the formation of the single calcium silicate shell, causing shell morphology transformation and yielding significantly enhanced mechanical strength by 30.9% and ductility by 94.7%. The superior thermal durability of the heat-treated colloidal capsule holds great potential for the fabrication of the functional additives that can be applied in the wide range of applications at elevated temperatures.

Abdominal Compression by Waist Belt Aggravates Gastroesophageal Reflux, Primarily by Impairing Esophageal Clearance.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Central obesity promotes gastroesophageal reflux, which may be related to increased intra-abdominal pressure. We investigated the effect of increasing abdominal pressure by waist belt on reflux in patients with reflux disease. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of patients with esophagitis (n = 8) or Barrett's esophagus (n = 6); median age was 56 years and median body mass index was 26.8. Proton pump inhibitors were stopped at least 7 days before the study and H2 receptor antagonists were stopped for at least 24 hours before. The severity of upper GI symptoms was assessed and measurements of height, weight, and waist and hip circumference taken. Combined high-resolution pH measurement and manometry were performed in fasted state for 20 minutes and for 90 minutes following a standardized meal. The squamocolumnar junction was marked by endoscopically placed radiopaque clips. The procedures were performed with and without a waist belt (a weight-lifter belt applied tightly and inflated to a constant cuff pressure of 50 mmHg). We compared variables between groups using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test and tested for correlations using Spearman Rho bivariate analysis. RESULTS: Without the belt, intragastric pressure correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.682; P = .008), with the range in pressure between smallest and largest waist circumference being 15 mmHg. The belt increased intragastric pressure by a median of 6.9 mmHg during fasting (P = .002) and by 9.0 mmHg after the meal (P = .001). Gastroesophageal acid reflux at each of the pH sensors extending 5.5 cm proximal to the peak lower esophageal sphincter pressure point was increased by approximately 8-fold by the belt (all P < .05). Following the meal, the mean number of reflux events with the belt was 4, vs 2 without (P = .008). Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxations were not increased by the belt, but those associated with reflux were increased (2 vs 3.5; P = .04). The most marked effect of the belt was impaired esophageal clearance of refluxed acid (median values of 23.0 seconds without belt vs 81.1 seconds with belt) (P = .008). The pattern of impaired clearance was that of rapid re-reflux after peristaltic clearance. CONCLUSIONS: In a prospective study of patients with esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus, we found belt compression increased acid reflux following a meal. The intragastric pressure rise inducing this effect is well within the range associated with differing waist circumference and likely to be relevant to the association between obesity and reflux disease.

Hiatus hernia in healthy volunteers is associated with intrasphincteric reflux and cardiac mucosal lengthening without traditional reflux.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hiatus hernia (HH) is a key mediator of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease but little is known about its significance in the general population. We studied the structure and function of the gastro-oesophageal junction in healthy volunteers with and without HH. METHODS: We compared 15 volunteers with HH, detected by endoscopy or MRI scan, but without gastro-oesophageal reflux disease with 15 controls matched for age, gender and body weight. Jumbo biopsies were taken across the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ). High-resolution pH metry (12 sensors) and manometry (36 sensors) were performed upright and supine, before and after a meal. The SCJ was marked with an endoscopically placed clip and visualised fluoroscopically. RESULTS: Cardiac mucosa was longer in volunteers with HH (3.5 vs 2.5 mm, p=0.01). There was no excessive acid reflux 5 cm above the upper border of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS) in either group but those with HH had short segment reflux 11 mm above the pH transition point after the meal when supine (pH<4 for 5.5% vs 0.3% of time, p=0.01). The SCJ and pH transition point were proximally displaced within the gastro-oesophageal junction in those with HH versus controls (p<0.05). The pH transition point was proximal to the peak LOS pressure point in HH subjects but distal to it in controls after the meal (p<0.05). When supine, the postprandial pH transition point crossed the SCJ in those with HH (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy volunteers with HH have increased intrasphincteric reflux and lengthening of cardiac mucosa in the absence of traditional transsphincteric reflux.

The gastric acid pocket is attenuated in H. pylori infected subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Gastric acid secretory capacity in different anatomical regions, including the postprandial acid pocket, was assessed in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative volunteers in a Western population. DESIGN: We studied 31 H. pylori positive and 28 H. pylori negative volunteers, matched for age, gender and body mass index. Jumbo biopsies were taken at 11 predetermined locations from the gastro-oesophageal junction and stomach. Combined high-resolution pH metry (12 sensors) and manometry (36 sensors) was performed for 20 min fasted and 90 min postprandially. The squamocolumnar junction was marked with radio-opaque clips and visualised radiologically. Biopsies were scored for inflammation and density of parietal, chief and G cells immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Under fasting conditions, the H. pylori positives had less intragastric acidity compared with negatives at all sensors >1.1 cm distal to the peak lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) pressure (p<0.01). Postprandially, intragastric acidity was less in H. pylori positives at sensors 2.2, 3.3 and 4.4 cm distal to the peak LES pressure (p<0.05), but there were no significant differences in more distal sensors. The postprandial acid pocket was thus attenuated in H. pylori positives. The H. pylori positives had a lower density of parietal and chief cells compared with H. pylori negatives in 10 of the 11 gastric locations (p<0.05). 17/31 of the H. pylori positives were CagA-seropositive and showed a more marked reduction in intragastric acidity and increased mucosal inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: In population volunteers, H. pylori positives have reduced intragastric acidity which most markedly affects the postprandial acid pocket.

Worldwide Inverse Association between Gastric Cancer and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Suggesting a Common Environmental Factor Exerting Opposing Effects.

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is increasing while adenocarcinoma of the stomach is decreasing. We have investigated whether the incidences of these two cancers and their time trends might be inversely related pointing to a common environmental factor exerting opposite effects on these cancers. METHODS: For cross-sectional analyses data were abstracted from "Cancer Incidence in Five Continents" (CI5) Volume X and GLOBOCAN 2012. Relevant ICD-10 codes were used to locate esophageal and gastric cancers anatomically, and ICD-O codes for the histological diagnosis of EAC. For longitudinal analyses, age standardized rates (ASRs) of EAC and total gastric cancer (TGC) were extracted from CI5C-Plus. RESULTS: Estimated (2012) ASRs were available for 51 countries and these showed significant negative correlations between EAC and both TGC (males: correlation coefficient (CC)=-0.38, P=0.006, females: CC=-0.41, P=0.003) and non-cardia gastric cancer rates (males: CC=-0.41, P=0.003 and females: CC=-0.43, P=0.005). Annual incidence trends were analyzed for 38 populations through 1989-2007 and showed significant decreases for TGC in 89% and increases for EAC in 66% of these, with no population showing a fall in the latter. Significant negative correlation between the incidence trends of the two cancers was observed in 27 of the 38 populations over the 19-50 years of available paired data. Super-imposition of the longitudinal and cross-sectional data indicated that populations with a current high incidence of EAC and low incidence of gastric cancer had previously resembled countries with a high incidence of gastric cancer and low incidence of EAC. CONCLUSIONS: The negative association between gastric cancer and EAC in both current incidences and time trends is consistent with a common environmental factor predisposing to one and protecting from the other.

Short-segment and intrasphincteric gastroesophageal reflux.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The traditional gold standard for measuring gastroesophageal acid reflux has been by placing a pH sensor 5 cm proximal to the lower esophageal sphincter. It is known that damage induced by reflux is maximal near to the gastroesophageal junction and this has stimulated interest in determining acid reflux at that site. RECENT FINDINGS: The extent of esophageal exposure from refluxing gastric acid is inversely related to the distance proximal to the gastroesophageal junction. In addition, the pH transition point from gastric to esophageal pH can be displaced proximally within the lower esophageal sphincter without complete loss of sphincter tone. This intrasphincteric reflux is associated with proximal extension of cardia mucosa because of columnar metaplasia of the most distal esophageal squamous mucosa. SUMMARY: The most distal esophageal mucosa is exposed to substantially greater gastric acid refluxate than that recorded at the traditional site 5 cm proximal to the lower esophageal sphincter.

The Role of the Acid Pocket in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the commonest chronic conditions in the western world and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. The discovery of the acid pocket explained the paradox of acid reflux occurring more frequently in the postprandial period despite intragastric acidity being low due to the buffering effect of the meal. The acid pocket was first described in 2001 when it was detected as an area of low pH immediately distal to the cardia using dual pH electrode pull-through studies 15 minutes after a meal. It was hypothesized that there was a local pocket of acid close to the gastroesophageal junction that escapes the buffering effect of the meal, and that this is the source of postprandial acidic reflux. The presence of the acid pocket has been confirmed in other studies using different techniques including high-resolution pHmetry, Bravo capsule, magnetic resonance imaging, and scintigraphy. This review aims to describe what we know about the acid pocket including its length, volume, fluid constituents, and its relationship to the lower esophageal sphincter and squamocolumnar junction. We will discuss the possible mechanisms that lead to the formation of the acid pocket and examine what differences exist in patients who suffer from acid reflux. Treatments for reflux disease that affect the acid pocket will also be discussed.

Mineral-Biochar Composites: Molecular Structure and Porosity.

Dramatic changes in molecular structure, degradation pathway, and porosity of biochar are observed at pyrolysis temperatures ranging from 250 to 550 °C when bamboo biomass is pretreated by iron-sulfate-clay slurries (iron-clay biochar), as compared to untreated bamboo biochar. Electron microscopy analysis of the biochar reveals the infusion of mineral species into the pores of the biochar and the formation of mineral nanostructures. Quantitative (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy shows that the presence of the iron clay prevents degradation of the cellulosic fraction at pyrolysis temperatures of 250 °C, whereas at higher temperatures (350-550 °C), the clay promotes biomass degradation, resulting in an increase in both the concentrations of condensed aromatic, acidic, and phenolic carbon species. The porosity of the biochar, as measured by NMR cryoporosimetry, is altered by the iron-clay pretreatment. In the presence of the clay, at lower pyrolysis temperatures, the biochar develops a higher pore volume, while at higher temperature, the presence of clay causes a reduction in the biochar pore volume. The most dramatic reduction in pore volume is observed in the kaolinite-infiltrated biochar at 550 °C, which is attributed to the blocking of the mesopores (2-50 nm pore) by the nonporous metakaolinite formed from kaolinite.

Ktu/PF13 is required for cytoplasmic pre-assembly of axonemal dyneins.

Cilia and flagella are highly conserved organelles that have diverse roles in cell motility and sensing extracellular signals. Motility defects in cilia and flagella often result in primary ciliary dyskinesia. However, the mechanisms underlying cilia formation and function, and in particular the cytoplasmic assembly of dyneins that power ciliary motility, are only poorly understood. Here we report a new gene, kintoun (ktu), involved in this cytoplasmic process. This gene was first identified in a medaka mutant, and found to be mutated in primary ciliary dyskinesia patients from two affected families as well as in the pf13 mutant of Chlamydomonas. In the absence of Ktu/PF13, both outer and inner dynein arms are missing or defective in the axoneme, leading to a loss of motility. Biochemical and immunohistochemical studies show that Ktu/PF13 is one of the long-sought proteins involved in pre-assembly of dynein arm complexes in the cytoplasm before intraflagellar transport loads them for the ciliary compartment.

Synthesis of PtNi Nanoparticles to Accelerate the Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

We report the synthesis of core-shell Ni-Pt nanoparticles (NPs) with varying degrees of crystallographic facets and surface layers rich in Pt via a seed-mediated thermolytic approach. Mixtures of different surfactants used during synthesis resulted in preferential surface passivation, which in turn dictated the size, chemical composition, and geometric evolution of these PtNi NPs. Electrochemical investigations of these pristine core-shell Ni-Pt structures in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) show that their catalytic functionalities outperform the commercial Pt/C reference catalyst. The enhanced electrocatalytic ORR performances of these Pt-based PtNi NPs are correlated with the weakened oxygen binding strength or surface-adsorbed hydroxyl (OH) species on active Pt surface sites induced by the downshift of the d-band center as a result of compressive strain effects. Our studies offer a robust synthetic approach for the development of core-shell nanostructures for enhanced ORR catalysis.

Multifunctional bismuth oxide (Bi2 O3 ) particles: Evidence for selective melanoma therapy.

The current study investigates the therapeutic and optical properties of bismuth oxide (Bi2 O3 ) particles for selective melanoma therapy and prevention. The Bi2 O3 particles were prepared using a standard precipitation method. The Bi2 O3 particles induced apoptosis in human A375 melanoma cells but not human HaCaT keratinocytes or CCD-1090Sk fibroblast cells. This selective apoptosis appears to be associated with a combination of factors: increased particle internalization (2.29 ± 0.41, 1.16 ± 0.08 and 1.66 ± 0.22-fold of control) and enhanced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (3.4 ± 0.1, 1.1 ± 0.1 and 2.05 ± 0.17-fold of control) in A375 cells compared to HaCaT and CCD-1090SK cells, respectively. As a high-Z element, bismuth is also an excellent contrast agent for computer tomography, which renders Bi2 O3 a theranostic material. Moreover, Bi2 O3 displays high UV absorption and low photocatalytic activity compared to other semiconducting metal oxides, which opens further potential fields of application as a pigment or as an active ingredient in sunscreens. Overall, this study demonstrates the multifunctional properties of Bi2 O3 particles surrounding the treatment and prevention of melanoma.

Loss-of-function mutations in the human ortholog of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ODA7 disrupt dynein arm assembly and cause primary ciliary dyskinesia.

Cilia and flagella are evolutionarily conserved structures that play various physiological roles in diverse cell types. Defects in motile cilia result in primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), the most prominent ciliopathy, characterized by the association of respiratory symptoms, male infertility, and, in nearly 50% of cases, situs inversus. So far, most identified disease-causing mutations involve genes encoding various ciliary components, such those belonging to the dynein arms that are essential for ciliary motion. Following a candidate-gene approach based on data from a mutant strain of the biflagellated alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii carrying an ODA7 defect, we identified four families with a PCD phenotype characterized by the absence of both dynein arms and loss-of-function mutations in the human orthologous gene called LRRC50. Functional analyses performed in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and in another flagellated protist, Trypanosoma brucei, support a key role for LRRC50, a member of the leucine-rich-repeat superfamily, in cytoplasmic preassembly of dynein arms.

A script-based method for achieving distortion-free selected area electron diffraction.

Electron diffraction patterns obtained on a TEM contain elliptical distortion resulting from column defects. This distortion can be corrected by applying offsets to the objective lens stigmators to cancel distortions occurring further down the column. In this work, a DigitalMicrographTM script-based method has been developed to identify the optimum objective stigmator settings which produce a distortion minimum in diffraction. Initially, a manual (by eye) correction is used to determine the stigmator values necessary to bring the pattern distortion below the threshold at which it is no longer visible to the naked eye (<1%). Thereafter, an automated acquisition script is used to acquire matrices of diffraction patterns while varying the stigmator values about the values which were identified as producing a distortion minimum in the preceding step. This analysis can be applied iteratively to refine the location of the distortion minimum, using progressively finer step changes in objective stigmator values. The optimum stigmator values producing the distortion minimum in diffraction are very different to those in imaging. These imaging and diffraction stigmator values can be saved to script and subsequently recalled at the click of a button, making their application very simple. Using this method, diffraction pattern elliptical distortion in a newly installed TEM was reduced from 1.6% to 0.3%, on a measurement precision of 0.3%, effectively producing distortion-free diffraction. The relevant scripts can be freely downloaded from the internet. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: This paper reports a DigitalMicrograph script-based method to identify and subsequently apply optimized objective stigmator values in diffraction mode. These effectively eliminate elliptical distortion inherent to this diffraction technique.

Biochar-based fertiliser enhances nutrient uptake and transport in rice seedlings.

Biochar-based compound fertilisers (BCF) are gaining increasing attention as they are cost-effectiveness and improve soil fertility and crop yield. However, little is known about the mechanisms by which micron-size BCF particles enhance crop growth. In the present study, Wuyunjing7 rice seedlings were exposed to micron-size particles of wheat straw-based BCF (mBCF) diffused through a 25-µm nylon mesh. The control was fertilised with urea, diammonium phosphate, and potassium chloride to ensure that both treatments received comparables level of N, P, and K. The effects of mBCF on rice seedling growth were evaluated by determining the changes in nitrogen uptake and utilisation via nitrogen content measurements, short-term 15N-NH4+ influx assays, and analyses of transcript-level nutrient transporter gene expression. The shoot biomass of rice seedling treated with mBCF at the rate of 5 mg/ g soil was 33% greater than that for the control. Root and shoot 15N accumulation rates were 44% and 14% higher, respectively, in the mBCF-treated than the control. The mBCF-treated rice seedlings had higher phosphorus, potassium, and iron content than the control. Moreover, the treatments significantly differed in terms of their nutrient transporter gene expression levels. Spectroscopy and microscopy were used to visualise nutrient distributions across transverse root sections. There were relatively higher iron oxide nanoparticle and silicon-based compound concentrations in the roots of the mBCF-treated rice seedlings than in those of the control. The foregoing difference might account for the fact that the growth of the mBCF-treated rice was superior to that of the control. We demonstrated that the mBCF treatment created a more negative electrical potential at the root epidermal cell layer (~ - 160 mV) than the root surface. This potential difference may have been the driving force for mineral nutrient absorption.

Ultra-small cobalt particles embedded in titania by ion beam synthesis: Additional datasets including electron microscopy, neutron reflectometry, modelling outputs and particle size analysis.

This Data-in-brief article includes datasets of electron microscopy, polarised neutron reflectometry and magnetometry for ultra-small cobalt particles formed in titania thin films via ion beam synthesis. Raw data for polarised neutron reflectometry, magnetometry and the particle size distribution are included and made available on a public repository. Additional elemental maps from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) are also presented. Data were obtained using the following types of equipment: the NREX and PLATYPUS polarised neutron reflectometers; a Quantum Design Physical Property Measurement System (14 T); a JEOL JSM-6490LV SEM, and a JEOL ARM-200F scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The data is provided as supporting evidence for the article in Applied Surface Science (A. Bake et al., Appl. Surf. Sci., vol. 570, p. 151068, 2021, DOI 10.1016/j.apsusc.2021.151068), where a full discussion is given. The additional supplementary reflectometry and modelling datasets are intended to assist future scientific software development of advanced fitting algorithms for magnetization gradients in thin films.