Sustainable design of photo-Fenton-like oxidation process in actual livestock wastewater through the highly dispersed FeCl3 anchoring on a g-C3N4 substrate.

Photocatalytic technology emerges as a promising solution for the sustainable treatment of contaminated wastewater. However, the practical implementation of designed photocatalysts often faces challenges due to the intricate 'high carbon footprint' process and limited outdoor laboratory investigations. Herein, a simple yet versatile impregnation approach is proposed to anchor highly dispersed FeCl3 on a g-C3N4 substrate (Fe-C3N4) with minimal energy consumption and post-processing. Fe-C3N4 enhances photocatalytic reactivity for antibiotic degradation via a synergistic photo-Fenton-like oxidation technique, efficiently removing antibiotic pollutants from actual livestock wastewater. The Fe-C3N4 catalyst exhibited consistent degradation performance over five cycles in laboratory conditions, maintaining a degradation efficiency exceeding 90 % for tetracycline hydrochloride (TCHCl). Furthermore, we engineered a straightforward Fe-C3N4Na2SiO3 reactor for treating livestock wastewater, achieving an 81.8 % removal of TCHCl in outdoor field tests conducted in the winter and summer in China. The Fe-C3N4 catalyst demonstrated high feasibility in treating antibiotic-contaminated livestock wastewater under year-round climatic conditions, leveraging synergistic effects. The stabilization of Fe-C3N4 for the degradation of antibiotic-containing wastewater under sunlight represents a significant advancement in the practical application of photocatalysts, marking a crucial milestone from experimental conception to implementation. Acute toxicity estimation suggested that intermediates/products generated exhibited lower toxicity compared to TCHCl, indicating their practical applicability. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis successfully predicted significant electron transfer between Fe-C3N4 and TCHCl, indicating efficient interfacial interactions on the TCHCl surface. To ensure the environmental sustainability of Fe-C3N4, a life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted to compared this photocatalyst with other commonly used emerging photocatalysts. The results demonstrated that Fe-C3N4 exhibits a two orders of magnitude lower CO2 equivalent emission compared to the ZnO photocatalyst, indicating a cost-effective and efficient synergistic photo-Fenton-like catalytic approach. This low-cost photocatalyst, moving from the laboratory to real-world wastewater applications, provides a powerful and more sustainable solution for the efficient treatment of wastewater containing antibiotics from livestock farming.

Resource diversity disturbs marine Vibrio diversity and community stability, but loss of Vibrio diversity enhances community stability.

Vibrio is a salt-tolerant heterotrophic bacterium that occupies an important ecological niche in marine environments. However, little is known about the contribution of resource diversity to the marine Vibrio diversity and community stability. In this study, we investigated the association among resource diversity, taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic diversity, and community stability of marine Vibrio in the Beibu Gulf. V. campbellii and V. hangzhouensis were the dominant groups in seawater and sediments, respectively, in the Beibu Gulf. Higher alpha diversity was observed in the sediments than in the seawater. Marine Vibrio community assembly was dominated by deterministic processes. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that nitrite (NO2--N), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), ammonium (NH4+-N), and pH were the main factors affecting marine Vibrio community stability in the surface, middle, and bottom layers of seawater and sediment, respectively. Partial least-squares path models (PLS-PM) demonstrated that resource diversity, water properties, nutrients, and geographical distance had important impacts on phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity. Regression analysis revealed that the impact of resource diversity on marine Vibrio diversity and community stability varied across different habitats, but loss of Vibrio diversity increases community stability. Overall, this study provided insights into the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of Vibrio diversity and community stability in marine environments.

Strategies to reduce fishy odor in aquatic products: Focusing on formation mechanism and mitigation means.

Aquatic products, integral to human diets, often bear a distinct fishy odor that diminishes their appeal. Currently, the formation mechanisms of these odoriferous compounds are not fully understood, complicating their effective control. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of key fishy compounds, with a focus on their formation mechanisms and innovative methods for controlling fishy odors. Fishy odors in aquatic products arise not only from the surrounding environment but also from endogenous transformations due to lipid autoxidation, enzymatic reactions, degradation of trimethylamine oxide, and Strecker degradation. Methods such as sensory masking, adsorbent and biomaterial adsorption, nanoliposome encapsulation, heat treatment, vacuum treatment, chemical reactions, and biological metabolic transformations have been developed to control fishy odors. Investigating the formation mechanisms of fishy odors will provide solid foundational knowledge that can inspire creative approaches to controlling these unpleasant odors.

Manure derived hydrochar reduced phosphorus loss risk via an alteration of phosphorus fractions and diversified microbial community in rice paddy soil.

Phosphorus (P) loss caused by the irrational use of manure organic fertilizer has become a worldwide environmental problem, which has caused a potential threat to water safety and intensified agricultural non-point source pollution. Hydrothermal carbonization is method with a low-energy consumption and high efficiency to deal with environmental problems. Application of pig manure-derived hydrochar (PMH) to soil exhibited potential of sustainable development compared with the pristine pig manure (PM). However, the effects of PMH on the distribution of P among the fractions/forms and the interaction between microorganisms and P forms and its relevance to the potential loss of P in paddy fields has not been clarified. Therefore, in this study, a soil column experiment was conducted using the untreated soil (control), and the PM, PMH1 (PMH derived at 180 °C), and PMH2 (PMH derived at 260 °C) treated soils (at the dose of 0.05 %) and rice was cultivated to investigate the effects of PM and PMH on the P fractions, mobilization, ad potential loss via the induced changes on soil microbial community after a complete growing season of rice. The trend of P utilization was evaluated by P speciation via continuous extraction and 31P NMR. The addition of PMH reduced the proportion of residual P in soil by 23.8-26.3 %, and increased the proportion of HCl-P and orthophosphate by 116.2-158.6 % and 6.1-6.8 % compared to PM. The abundance of gcd gene developed after the application of PMH2, which enhanced the mobile forms of soil P utilization via secreting gluconic acid. The network diagram analysis concluded that the changes in various P forms were mainly related to Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, Firmicutes and Acidobacteria. The results illustrated that PMH mitigate the potential risk of P loss more than PM by altering P fractions and affecting soil microbial community.

Enhanced tunneling electroresistance through interfacial charge-modulated barrier inα-In2Se3-based ferroelectric tunnel junction.

The manipulation of tunneling resistance is critical for ferroelectric tunnel junction (FTJ) devices. In this work, we propose a mechanism to manipulate tunneling resistance through interfacial charge-modulated barrier in two-dimensional (2D)n-type semiconductor/ferroelectric FTJs. Driven by ferroelectric reversal, different effective tunneling barriers are realized by the depletion or accumulation of electrons near then-type semiconductor surface in such devices. Thus, the tunneling resistance in FTJs undergoes significant changes for different polarization orientations, resulting in a giant tunneling electroresistance (TER) effect. To illustrate this idea, we construct 2D FTJs based onn-InSe/α-In2Se3van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. Based on the electronic transport calculations, it is found that TER ratio can reach 4.20 × 103% in the designed FTJs. The physical origin of the giant TER effect is verified through analysis of the effective potential energy of then-InSe/α-In2Se3vdW heterostructures and the real-space transmission eigenstates of the designed FTJs. This work contributes to the knowledge of carrier tunneling mechanisms at the interface of semiconductor/In2Se3vdW heterostructures, and providing a significant insight into the TER effect of this FTJ systems, also presenting an alternative approach for the design of FTJ-based devices.

Leveraging collaborative research networks against antimicrobial resistance in Asia.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health security threat requiring research collaboration globally and regionally. Despite repeated calls for international research collaboration in Asia, literature analyzing the nature of collaborative AMR research in Asia has been sparse. This study aims to describe the characteristics of the AMR research network in Asia and investigate the factors influencing collaborative tie formation between organizations. Methods: We carried out a mixed-methods study by combining social network analysis (SNA) and in-depth interviews. SNA was first conducted on primary data to describe the characteristics of the AMR research network in Asia. Exponential random graph models (ERGMs) were then used to examine the influence of factors such as organization type, country affluence levels, regional proximity and One Health research on collaborative tie formation among organizations. In-depth interviews were conducted with network participants to provide contextual insights to the quantitative data. Results: The results reveal that the research network exhibits a core-periphery structure, where a minority of organizations have a significantly higher number of collaborations with others. The most influential organizations in the network are academic institutions from high-income countries within and outside Asia. The ERGM results demonstrate that organizations prefer to collaborate with others of similar organization types, country-based affluence levels and One Health domains of focus, but also with others across different World Health Organization regions. The qualitative analysis identified three main themes: the challenges that impede collaboration, the central role of academic institutions, and the nature of collaborations across One Health domains, giving rise to important empirical milestones in understanding AMR research in Asia. Conclusion: We thus recommend leveraging academic institutions as "integrators" to bridge differences, increasing funds channelled towards research capacity building to alleviate structural barriers to collaboration, streamlining collaborative mechanisms to overcome cumbersome administrative hurdles, and increasing efforts to establish trust between all organizations.

Efficacy and safety of sacubitril/allisartan for the treatment of primary hypertension: a phase 2 randomized, double-blind study.

This randomized, double-blind phase 2 study assessed the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/allisartan, an angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor, compared with placebo in Chinese patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Eligible patients aged 18-75 years (n = 235) with mild to moderate hypertension were randomized to receive sacubitril/allisartan 120 mg (n = 52), sacubitril/allisartan 240 mg (n = 52), sacubitril/allisartan 480 mg (n = 52), placebo (n = 26) or olmesartan 20 mg (n = 53) once daily for 8 weeks. The primary end point was a reduction in clinic systolic blood pressure from baseline with different doses of sacubitril/allisartan versus placebo at 8 weeks. Secondary efficacy variables included clinic diastolic blood pressure and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure for the comparison between sacubitril/allisartan and placebo at 8 weeks. Safety assessments included all adverse events and serious adverse events. Sacubitril/allisartan 480 mg/day provided a significantly greater reduction in clinic systolic blood pressure than placebo at 8 weeks (between-treatment difference: -9.1 mmHg [95% confidence interval -1.6 to -16.6 mmHg], P = 0.02). There were also significant reductions in 24-h, daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic blood pressure for sacubitril/allisartan 480 mg/day compared with placebo (P ≤ 0.03). Similarly, a greater reduction in daytime systolic blood pressure was observed for sacubitril/allisartan 240 mg/day compared with placebo (between-treatment difference: -7.3 mmHg [95% confidence interval -0.5 to -14.0 mmHg], P = 0.04). Sacubitril/allisartan was well tolerated, and no cases of angioedema were reported. Sacubitril/allisartan is effective for the treatment of hypertension in Chinese patients and is well tolerated.

Efficient photocatalysis of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) from pharmaceutical wastewater using AgCl/ZnO/g-C3N4 composite under visible light: Process and mechanisms.

AgCl/ZnO/g-C3N4, a visible light activated ternary composite catalyst, was prepared by combining calcination, hydrothermal reaction and in-situ deposition processes to treat/photocatalyse tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) from pharmaceutical wastewater under visible light. The morphological, structural, electrical, and optical features of the novel photocatalyst were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible light absorption spectrum (UV-Vis DRS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transient photocurrent techniques. All analyses confirmed that the formation of heterojunctions between AgCl/ZnO and g-C3N4 significantly increase electron-hole transfer and separation compared to pure ZnO and g-C3N4. Thus, AgCl/ZnO/g-C3N4 could exhibit superior photocatalytic activity during TC-HCl assays (over 90% removal) under visible light irradiation. The composite could maintain its photocatalytic stability even after four consecutive reaction cycles. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide radical (·O2) contributed more than holes (h+) and hydroxyl radicals (·OH) to the degradation process as showed by trapping experiments. Liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) was used for the representation of the TC-HCl potential degradation pathway. The applicability and the treatment potential of AgCl/ZnO/g-C3N4 against actual pharmaceutical wastewater showed that the composite can achieve removal efficiencies of 81.7%, 71.4% and 69.0% for TC-HCl, chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbon (TOC) respectively. AgCl/ZnO/g-C3N4 can be a prospective key photocatalyst in the field of degradation of persistent, hardly-degradable pollutants, from industrial wastewater and not only.

[Development of Zeolite Loaded Mg-La-Fe Ternary (hydr) oxides for Treatment of Low Concentration Phosphate Wastewater].

A novel Mg-La-Fe ternary (hydr)oxide magnetic zeolite adsorbent (MLFZ) was prepared using the hydrothermal method and employed for effective phosphate removal in this study. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated that the MLFZ presented an amorphous surface with Mg, Fe, and La dispersed on the surface of the zeolite. The isothermal adsorption and kinetics results showed that the adsorption behavior of the MLFZ was consistent with that of the Langmuir isothermal model and quasi-second-order kinetics model. A relatively fast adsorption of phosphate with a short equilibrium time of 30 min was observed in the kinetics experiment, and the maximum adsorption capacity of the MLFZ was 13.46 mg·g-1 in the equilibrium adsorption isotherm study. The MLFZ showed effective adsorption performance over a wide pH range from 3.0 to 9.0. Moreover, the coexisting ions had an insignificant effect on phosphate adsorption. The MLFZ could easily be recovered using a magnet. After five adsorption-desorption cycles, the phosphate removal efficiency was maintained at approximately 90%. The FTIR, XPS, and Zeta potential analysis confirmed that the adsorption mechanisms were attributed to the surface deposition, electrostatic adsorption, and the inner complex formation by ligand exchange between lanthanum and phosphate. Furthermore, the MLFZ demonstrated high efficiency in scavenging phosphate from a natural pond (phosphate concentration decreased from 0.86 mg·L-1 to 0.013 mg·L-1), indicating that the MLFZ was an ideal material for phosphate management and treatment.

Antimicrobial Resistance Research Collaborations in Asia: Challenges and Opportunities to Equitable Partnerships.

Antimicrobial Resistance is recognized as a major threat to global health security. The WHO Southeast Asia region is dubbed a "global hub for AMR emergence", as it runs the highest risk for AMR emergence among all WHO regions in Asia. Hence, there is a need for Asia-centric, collaborative AMR research aligned with the true needs and priorities of the region. This study aimed to identify and understand the challenges and opportunities for such collaborative endeavors to enhance equitable partnerships. This qualitative study adopted an interpretative approach involving a thematic analysis of 15 semi-structured interviews with AMR experts conducting research in the region. The study identified several factors influencing research collaborations, such as the multi-dimensional nature of AMR, limited or lack of funds, different AMR research priorities in Asian countries, absence of Asia-centric AMR leadership, lack of trust and, unequal power relationships between researchers, and the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in research collaborations. It also identified some opportunities, such as the willingness of researchers to collaborate, the formation of a few networks, and the prioritization by many academics of the One Health paradigm for framing AMR research. Participants reported that the initiation of stronger cross-discipline and cross-country networks, the development of Asia-centric AMR leadership, flexible research agendas with shared priorities, transparent and transferable funds, and support to enhance research capacity in LMICs could assist in developing more equitable collaborative research in Asia.

Phosphate removal from actual wastewater via La(OH)3-C3N4 adsorption: Performance, mechanisms and applicability.

In this study, La(OH)3 nanoparticles were immobilized on C3N4 to effectively restrict their aggregation and subsequently enhance the La utilization efficiency to promote phosphate adsorption. The prepared La(OH)3-C3N4 nanocomposite was characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR, XPS, BET and Zeta potential analysis. Batch and continuously-fed (fixed-bed column) experiments to assess the adsorption performance of La(OH)3-C3N4 showed that the composite exhibits superior utilization efficiency, resulting to relatively quick adsorption with a short equilibrium time of 30 min. The theoretical maximum P adsorption capacity reached the 148.35 mg·g-1, efficiency that remained unaffected by the anions and HA present. The adsorption mechanism showed stability in a wide pH range (4.0-11.0) and is considered effective even after extensive use (five-cycles). The dynamics of the adsorption capacity and the half-penetration time values were estimated by 'Thomas' and 'Yoon-Nelson' models showed that are better represented from the experimental values obtained from the fixed-bed column trial. The adsorption mechanisms were attributed to surface precipitation, electrostatic attraction, and inner-sphere complexation via ligand exchange. Furthermore, La(OH)3-C3N4 demonstrated high efficiency in scavenging phosphate from both diluted and concentrated wastewater (natural pond and swine wastewater respectively). The above confirm that La(OH)3-C3N4 is a promising composite material for phosphate management in aqueous environments.

Effect of axitinib regulating the pathological blood-brain barrier functional recovery for glioblastoma therapeutics.

AIMS: Dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a prominent pathological feature of glioblastoma (GBM). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is confirmed to be abnormally elevated in the pathogenesis of GBM, causing BBB pathological disruption, which further allows the leakage of neurotoxic blood-derived molecules into the central nervous system (CNS), interfering brain homeostasis and leading to poor patient outcome. Since BBB is an integral and pivotal part of the brain microenvironment, which strongly supports the occurrence and the pathological progression of GBM, here we have selected the VEGFR antagonist axitinib as a BBB functional regulator and hypothesized to regulate pathological BBB restoration for GBM effective treatment. METHODS: The pathological BBB cell model was constructed to investigate the timeliness and dose effect of axitinib regulating pathological BBB restoration. In order to investigate the efficacy and safety of axitinib regulating pathological BBB restoration for anti-GBM treatment, the orthotropic GBM-bearing mice model was established for in vivo study, and bioluminescent imaging was used to real-time and noninvasively monitor tumor growth response in vivo, and survival time was also recorded. RESULTS: Axitinib under non-cytotoxic dosage regulated pathological BBB restoration in a time-dependent mode, and multiple intervention of axitinib could realize a visible restoration of pathological BBB in vitro. Moreover, axitinib treatment restored pathological BBB in orthotropic GBM-bearing mice. We further confirmed that functional restoration of pathological BBB with axitinib had certain curative effect in prolonging median survival of orthotropic GBM-bearing mice at non-cytotoxic dosages in vivo. CONCLUSION: The mechanism of axitinib involved in BBB functional regulation in the treatment of GBM is first illuminated in this report; moreover, this is the first report first referring to regulating pathological BBB functional recovery for GBM effective therapeutics. Overall, the view of regulating pathological BBB functional recovery may offer a novel sight for other CNS diseases relating to BBB permeability effective therapeutics.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single, and multiple dose-escalation Phase I clinical trial to investigate the safety, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic profiles of oral S086, a novel angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, in healthy Chinese volunteers.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of single ascending doses (SAD) and multiple ascending doses (MAD) of S086 in healthy Chinese volunteers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase I clinical trial enrolled 113 subjects, including 65 subjects in the SAD (60-1080 mg) study and 48 subjects in the MAD study (180-720 mg). The safety, PK (sacubitril, LBQ657, and EXP3174) and PD (MAD study: blood pressure, pulse) of S086 were assessed. RESULTS: There were no deaths, serious adverse events, or discontinuations due to TEAEs, and there were no significant safety concerns associated with S086. PK parameters for sacubitril, LBQ657, and EXP3174 increased in a dose-dependent manner after single oral doses of S086. Plasma concentrations of sacubitril, LBQ657, and EXP3174 were maintained at steady state within 5 days of once-daily oral administration of S086. In the MAD study, S086 administration was associated with a dose-dependent decrease in mean diastolic and systolic blood pressure compared to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: The safety and PK profile profiles of S086 support the use of S086 240 mg once daily in a future Phase II study in patients with heart failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial is registered at chinadrugtrials.org.cn (CT.gov identifier: CTR20182350 and CTR20182351).

Biowaste hydrothermal carbonization aqueous product application in rice paddy: Focus on rice growth and ammonia volatilization.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is known as a green biomass conversion technology. However, it often suffers from the issue of disposing hydrothermal carbonization aqueous products (HCAP). Based on the characterization and composition of acidic HCAP, a rice paddy soil column experiment was conducted to observe the effects of HCAP on ammonia (NH3) volatilization form paddy soil and rice yield. The experiment was designed with five treatments. HCAPs were produced at 220 °C and (SHC220-L) and 260 °C (SHC260-L) derived from poplar sawdust, HCAP produced at 220 °C (WHC220-L) and 260 °C (WHC260-L) derived from wheat straw, and a control group without HCAP application (termed CKU hereafter). The results showed that HCAP treatments increased the rice yield by 4.30%-26.0% compared to CKU. HACPs prepared at lower temperatures (SHC220-L and WHC220-L) mitigated the cumulative NH3 volatilization by 11.2% and 7.6%, respectively, and mitigated yield-scale NH3 volatilization (cumulative NH3 volatilization/total yield) by 14.2% âˆ¼ 22.4%. HCAP significantly improved the N use efficiency of rice. We found that the NH3 volatilization was related to NH4+-N concentration and pH of surface water, soil TOC and NH4+-N oxidation functional genes. This study implied that HCAP could be potentially used as a liquid fertilizer, which will be a potential substitute for chemical N fertilizers. There is still a long way before HCAP can be applied in full-scale for N fertilizer reduction and waste recycle.

[Effects of Film Materials on Ammonia Volatilization Emissions from a Paddy System After Reducing Nitrogen Fertilizer Application].

Ammonia volatilization emissions constitute the main pathway of nitrogen loss from paddy systems. Present control technologies are based on reducing the amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied. However, ratio of nitrogen loss through ammonia volatilization emissions has not changed, and it has become a bottleneck for promoting nitrogen use efficiency. Therefore, in order to study the effects of film materials on ammonia volatilization emissions, a two-year field plot experiment was carried out with agricultural waste powder and amphipathic molecule materials spread on surface water after nitrogen fertilizer application in paddy system. The results showed that film materials could reduce nitrogen loss through ammonia volatilization by 19%-31% in the paddy season, and this part of nitrogen was accumulated in soil or assimilated by paddy tissue. The ammonium concentration and pH in the surface water and film materials were the major control factors of ammonia volatilization emissions with nitrogen fertilizer application. Moreover, further reductions in ammonia volatilization emissions could be achieved by film materials after reducing nitrogen fertilizer application. Differences in the effect mechanisms of the film materials provide flexible options for practical agricultural production to meet demands.

[Fabrication of La-MHTC Composites for Phosphate Removal: Adsorption Behavior and Mechanism].

Lanthanum (La)-based materials have shown great potential for phosphate removal owing to the strong affinity between La and phosphate. In this study, magnetic hydrothermal biochar immobilized La(OH)3 (La-MHTC) were prepared and used as phosphate adsorbents. Hydrochar was produced by the hydrothermal carbonization process (220℃, 2 h). Magnetic La-MHTC with different La-to-Fe mass ratios were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. Subsequently, La-MHTC was applied to remove phosphate from wastewater. Results indicate that La-MHTC (with a La-to-Fe mass ratio of 2:1) exhibited excellent magnetic properties for easy recovery and high phosphate adsorption capacity up to 100.25 mg·g-1. Effective phosphate removal was obtained over a wide pH range of 3-10. The absorption isotherm and kinetics were better fitted by the Langmuir model and the pseudo second-order model, respectively, which showed a fast adsorption rate and exhibited superior La utilization efficiency. The La-MHTC has strong selectivity for phosphate in the presence of coexisting ions (Cl-, NO3-, and SO42-). The adsorption-desorption experiment suggested its excellent stability and cyclic utilization. In addition, La-MHTC was applied to treat real domestic wastewater, efficiently reducing the phosphate concentration (from 0.87 mg·L-1 to 0.05 mg·L-1). Electrostatic attraction and inner-sphere complexation between La(OH)3 and P via ligand exchange were the main mechanisms of phosphate adsorption by La-MHTC.

Effect of long term fertilization management strategies on methane emissions and rice yield.

Optimum fertilization is an efficient method to maintain rice yield and reduce N-losses. It is essential though to evaluate methane emissions from paddy fields, to further understand its impact on greenhouse gas budget. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of long-term optimum fertilization on CH4 emissions and rice yield. We collected data in the 7th and 8th year from a field experiment initiated in 2010. Four optimum fertilization strategies, reduced N-fertilizer and zero-P treatment (RNP, 200 kg N/ha), sulfur-coated urea combined with uncoated urea treatment (SCU, 200 kg N/ha), organic fertilizer combined chemical fertilizer treatment (OCN, 200 kg N/ha), organic fertilizer treatment (OF, 200 kg N/ha); and two controls, the farmers' N management (FN, 270 kg N/ha) and zero-N treatment (N0), were employed. The results showed the rice yields achieved for the optimum fertilization treatments (RNP, SCU, OCN, and OF) were similar with those for the FN. No significant differences in CH4 emissions among all treatments. Cumulative seasonal CH4 emissions were negatively correlated with grain yield (P < 0.05). In the RNP and SCU treatments, soil available K, mcrA gene and available P were the key variables affecting CH4 emissions; soil available K, available P and SOC contents were the key emissions factors for OCN and OF treatments. The SCU achieved the highest rice yield and lowest CH4 emission intensity among optimum fertilization treatments. These results suggest that long-term application of sulfur-coated urea combined with uncoated urea can maintain rice yield and reduce methane emissions from rice paddies.

Microbial aging of hydrochar as a way to increase cadmium ion adsorption capacity: Process and mechanism.

Microbially-aged hydrochar were prepared to investigate how aging affected their ability to remove Cd2+ from aqueous solutions. Based on aging time in an anaerobic fermenter, four samples were produced: HC, M20-HC, M40-HC, and M60-HC. Results indicated increases in specific surface area, pH, and negative charge on hydrochar surface with aging process. Also, there were a decrease in O/C and an increase in surface functional groups, such as -COOH. The adsorption experiments confirmed the positive correlation between aging time and adsorption performance. The 60-day-aged M60-HC treatment displayed the maximum adsorption capacity, which was 3.8 times higher than that of HC. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic equations fitted well with isothermal and kinetic data, respectively. Thermodynamic study indicated that Cd2+ adsorption is dominated by chemisorption. This study showed that microbial aging process is an effective and promising measure to improve hydrochar adsorption capacity for Cd2+.

High Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalytic Performance of Cu/ZnO/rGO Nanocomposite for Decomposing of Aqueous Ammonia and Treatment of Domestic Wastewater.

Photocatalytic removal of ammonium-nitrogen ( NH4+ -N) from water using solar energy is an approach of high interest and applicability due to the convenience in application. ZnO has a great potential in photocatalytic decomposition of NH4+ -N and conversion of this nutrient to under visible light irradiations. However the applicability of pristine ZnO though is limited due to its reduced capacity to utilize light from natural light. Herein, we report a two-step ZnO-modified strategy (Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles, immobilized on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets) for the promotion of photocatalytic degradation of NH4+ -N under visible light. UV-Vis spectra showed that the Cu/ZnO/rGO can be highly efficient in the utilization of photons from the visible region. Hence, Cu/ZnO/rGO managed to demonstrate adequate photocatalytic activity and effective NH4+ -N removal from water under visible light compared to single ZnO. Specifically, up to 83.1% of NH4+ -N (initial concentration 50 mg·L-1, catalyst dosage 2 g·L-1, pH 10) was removed within 2 h retention time under Xe lamp irradiation. From the catalysis, the major by-product was N2. The high ammonia degradation efficiency from the ZnO/Cu/rGO is attributed to the improvement of the reactive oxygen species (ROSs) production efficiency and the further activation of the interfacial catalytic sites. This study also demonstrated that such nanocomposite is a recyclable agent. Its NH4+ -N removal capacity remained effective even after five batch cycles. In addition, Cu/ZnO/rGO was applied to treat real domestic wastewater, and it was found that chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiencies can reach 84.3, 80.7, and 90.3%, respectively. Thus, Cu/ZnO/rGO in the presence of solar light can be a promising photocatalyst in the field of wastewater treatment.