Experimental and DFT insights into the adsorption mechanism of methylene blue by alkali-modified corn straw biochar.

As an efficient and cost-effective adsorbent, biochar has been widely used in the adsorption and removal of dyes. In this study, a simple NaOH-modified biochar with the pyrolysis temperature of 300 °C (NaCBC300) was synthesized, characterized, and investigated for the adsorption performances and mechanisms of methylene blue (MB). NaCBC300 exhibited excellent MB adsorption performance with maximum removal efficiency and adsorption capacity of 99.98% and 290.71 mg g-1, which were three and four times higher than biochar without modification, respectively. This might be attributed to the increased content of -OH and the formation of irregular flakes after NaOH modification. The Freundlich isotherm suggested multilayer adsorption between NaCBC300 and MB. Spectroscopic characterizations demonstrated that multiple mechanisms including π-π interaction, H-bonding, and pore-filling were involved in the adsorption. According to density functional theory (DFT) calculations, electrostatic interaction between NaCBC300 and MB was verified. The highest possibility of the attraction between NaCBC300 and MB was between -COOH in NaCBC300 and R-N(CH3)2 in MB. This work improved our understanding of the mechanism for MB adsorption by modified biochar and provided practical and theoretical guidance for adsorbent preparation with high adsorption ability for dyes.

Intensive N2 fixation accelerates microbial turnover in cropland soils.

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is strongly affected by the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stoichiometry in soil and depends on the input of organic C. Due to the high metabolic costs of nitrogenase activity, however, the response of BNF to organic C input and its impact on microbial turnover remain unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we combined 15N2 tracing with high-throughput sequencing by adding glucose or glucose plus mineral N fertilizer for a 12-day incubation in three cropland soils. Glucose addition alone strongly changed the BNF activity (0.76-2.51 mg N kg-1 d-1), while BNF was completely absent after mineral N fertilization. This switch-on of BNF by glucose addition supported equally high rates of microbial growth and organic C mineralization compared with the direct mineral N assimilation by microorganisms. Glucose-induced BNF was predominantly catalyzed by Azotobacter-affiliated free-living diazotrophs (>50 % of the total nifH genes), which increased with diverse nondiazotrophs such as Nitrososphaera, Bacillus and Pseudoxanthomonas. Structural equation models (SEMs) and random forest (RF) analyses consistently revealed that the soil C:N ratio and Azotobacter-affiliated diazotrophic abundances were the key factors affecting glucose-induced BNF. Our findings emphasize the importance of free-living diazotrophs for microbial turnover of organic C in soil.

Antibiotic resistance genes and heavy metals in landfill: A review.

Landfill is reservoir containing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) that pose a threat to human life and health. Heavy metals impose lasting effects on ARGs. This review investigated and analyzed the distribution, composition, and abundance of heavy metals and ARGs in landfill. The abundance ranges of ARGs detected in refuse and leachate were similar. The composition of ARG varied with sampling depth in refuse. ARG in leachate varies with the distribution of ARG in the refuse. The ARG of sulI was associated with 11 metals (Co, Pb, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, Sb, As, Cd, and Al). The effects of the total metal concentration on ARG abundance were masked by many factors. Low heavy metal concentrations showed positive effects on ARG diffusion; conversely, high heavy metal concentrations showed negative effects. Organic matter had a selective pressure effect on microorganisms and could provide energy for the diffusion of ARGs. Complexes of heavy metals and organic matter were common in landfill. Therefore, the hypothesis was proposed that organic matter and heavy metals have combined effects on the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs during landfill stabilization. This work provides a new basis to better understand the HGT of ARGs in landfill.

Effects of tillage patterns and stover mulching on N2O production, nitrogen cycling genes and microbial dynamics in black soil.

Stover-covered no-tillage (NT) is of great significance to the rational utilization of stover resources and improvement of cultivated land quality, and also has a profound impact on ensuring groundwater, food and ecosystem security. However, the effects of tillage patterns and stover mulching on soil nitrogen turnover remain elusive. Based on the long-term conservation tillage field experiment in the mollisol area of Northeast China since 2007, the shotgun metagenomic sequencing of soils and microcosm incubation were combined with physical and chemical analyses, alkyne inhibition analysis to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of NT and stover mulching on the farmland soil nitrogen emissions and microbial nitrogen cycling genes. Compared with conventional tillage (CT), NT stover mulching significantly reduced the emission of N2O instead of CO2, especially when 33% mulching was adopted, and correspondingly the nitrate nitrogen of NT33 was higher than that of other mulching amounts. The stover mulching was associated with higher total nitrogen, soil organic carbon and pH. The abundance of AOB (ammonia-oxidizing bacteria)-amoA (ammonia monooxygenase subunit A) was substantially increased by stover mulching, while the abundance of denitrification genes was reduced in most cases. Under alkyne inhibition, the tillage mode, treatment time, gas condition and interactions between them noticeably influenced the N2O emission and nitrogen transformation. In CT, NT0 (no mulching) and NT100 (full mulching), the relative contribution of AOB to N2O production was markedly higher than that of ammonia oxidizing archaea. Different tillage modes were associated with distinct microbial community composition, albeit NT100 was closer to CT than to NT0. Compared with CT, the co-occurrence network of microbial communities was more complex in NT0 and NT100. Our findings suggest that maintaining a low-quantity stover mulching could regulate soil nitrogen turnover toward proficiently enhancing soil health and regenerative agriculture, and coping with global climate change.

Residual Chlorella-Based Cellulose Nanofibers and Their Quaternization Modification and Efficient Anionic Dye Adsorption.

Dye is an anionic common pollutant in industrial wastewater and poses a great threat to the environment and human health. Owing to its advantageous adsorption capacity, nanocellulose is widely used for wastewater treatment. The cell walls of Chlorella mainly comprise cellulose instead of lignin. In this study, residual Chlorella-based cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and cationic cellulose nanofiber (CCNF) with surface quaternization were prepared through homogenization. Moreover, Congo red (CR) was used as a model dye to measure the adsorption capacity of CNF and CCNF. The adsorption capacity was almost saturated when CNF and CCNF contacted CR for 100 min, and the adsorption kinetics coincided with the pseudo-secondary kinetics model. The initial concentration of CR considerably affected its adsorption on CNF and CCNF. Below the initial concentration of 40 mg/g, the adsorption on CNF and CCNF considerably increased with the increase in the initial concentration of CR. Based on the sorption isotherms analysis of CNF and CCNF, the Langmuir model fitted best with the experimental data. Thus, CNF and CCNF surfaces were uniform, and monolayer adsorption occurred. The adsorption of CR on CNF and CCNF was greatly affected by the pH value, and the acidic medium favored the adsorption of CR (especially for CCNF). CCNF showed a more advantageous adsorption capacity, with a maximum value of 1657.89 mg/g, compared to that of CNF (190.0 mg/g). According to the findings of this study, residual Chlorella-based CCNF could be a very promising adsorbent candidate for removing anionic dyes from wastewater.

Facile preparation of coprecipitates between iron oxides and dissolved organic matter for efficient Fenton-like degradation of norfloxacin.

As two important components of dissolved organic matter (DOM), dissolved black carbon (DBC) and humic acid (HA) possess different chemical and structural properties, which might influence their activities like metal complexation and mediating electron transfer. In this study, a series of coprecipitates of iron oxides (FeOx) and DOM (HA or DBC) having different C/Fe molar ratios (0.2-3.0) was prepared under ambient conditions, which exhibited excellent catalytic efficiencies upon Fenton-like degradation of norfloxacin (NOR). Pseudo-first-order rate constant of NOR oxidation catalyzed by DBC-FeOx (C/Fe=3.0, 1.13 h-1) was 30.5, 4.3-14.2, and 1.3-15.7 folds higher than those mediated by FeOx alone, HA-FeOx and DBC-FeOx coprecipitates having C/Fe molar ratios of 0.2 and 1.6, respectively. Due to the higher concentrations of surface-bound Fe(III)/Fe(II) in the DBC-FeOx mediated systems, improved Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling rates, •OH accumulation and NOR degradation were observed as compared with those of counterpart systems mediated by HA-FeOx. Besides functioning in Fe-C complexation to accelerate FeOOH cleavage, carbonyl/carboxyl groups of the coprecipitates also serve as electron shuttles, both of which improved Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling and •OH production. Our findings emphasized the influence of DOM source and compositions on Fe(III)/Fe(II) cycling and provided a facile approach of preparing Fe-C catalyst for contaminants elimination.

Antiglaucoma Potential of ß-Glucogallin Is Mediated by Modulating Mitochondrial Responses in Experimentally Induced Glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: The use of phytochemicals for the treatment of various bodily ailments has been in practice since ancient days. Even though in practice, scientific studies on the protective effect of ß-glucogallin (BG) against glaucoma is limited. OBJECTIVES: In the present study, the in vitro glaucoma model (hydrostatic pressure) using PC12 neuronal cells exposed to BG were used to elucidate its protective effects. METHOD: The cultured cells were analyzed for the mitochondrial responses, oxidant-antioxidant status, and expression of caveolin-1, ANGPTL7, the glaucoma markers, and cytokines. RESULTS: We demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, ANGPTL7, with altered mitochondrial enzymes in glaucoma cells compared to the control. Moreover, cells predisposed to hydrostatic pressure demonstrated an increase in oxidative stress with augmented (p < 0.01) inflammatory cytokines such as IL-2, CXCR4, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and TNF-α. On the other hand, cells pretreated with BG attenuated the reactive oxygen species levels with improved antioxidant enzymes. Simultaneously, the levels of inflammatory cytokines and ANGPTL7 proteins were found attenuated with restored mitochondrial responses in BG pretreated cells. CONCLUSION: Thus, the results of the present study demonstrate that the use of BG on retinal cells against relieving the intraocular pressure may be a promising therapeutic for controlling the disease progression.

The Utility of Electrochemical Systems in Microbial Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: Discourse, Diversity and Design.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially high molecular weight PAHs, are carcinogenic and mutagenic organic compounds that are difficult to degrade. Microbial remediation is a popular method for the PAH removal in diverse environments and yet it is limited by the lack of electron acceptors. An emerging solution is to use the microbial electrochemical system, in which the solid anode is used as an inexhaustible electron acceptor and the microbial activity is stimulated by biocurrent in situ to ensure the PAH removal and avoid the defects of bioremediation. Based on the extensive investigation of recent literatures, this paper summarizes and comments on the research progress of PAH removal by the microbial electrochemical system of diversified design, enhanced measures and functional microorganisms. First, the bioelectrochemical degradation of PAHs is reviewed in separate and mixed PAH degradation, and the removal performance of PAHs in different system configurations is compared with the anode modification, the enhancement of substrate and electron transfer, the addition of chemical reagents, and the combination with phytoremediation. Second, the key functional microbiota including PAH degrading microbes and exoelectrogens are overviewed as well as the reduced microbes without competitive advantage. Finally, the typical representations of electrochemical activity especially the internal resistance, power density and current density of systems and influence factors are reviewed with the correlation analysis between PAH removal and energy generation. Presently, most studies focused on the anode modification in the bioelectrochemical degradation of PAHs and actually more attentions need to be paid to enhance the mass transfer and thus larger remediation radius, and other smart designs are also proposed, especially that the combined use of phytoremediation could be an eco-friendly and sustainable approach. Additionally, exoelectrogens and PAH degraders are partially overlapping, but the exact functional mechanisms of interaction network are still elusive, which could be revealed with the aid of advanced bioinformatics technology. In order to optimize the efficacy of functional community, more advanced techniques such as omics technology, photoelectrocatalysis and nanotechnology should be considered in the future research to improve the energy generation and PAH biodegradation rate simultaneously.

Effects of T2 Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of the Selective Laser Melted Aluminum Alloy Samples.

In this paper, aluminum alloy samples were fabricated by selective laser melting (SLM) and subsequently T2 heat treatment was undertaken. In order to obtain comprehensive results, various experiments on densification, hardness, tensile strength, bending strength and microstructure characterization were carried out. The results show that densification of samples after T2 heat treatment does not vary very much from the SLMed ones, while the Brinell hardness and strength decreases to about 50%. Moreover, the plasticity and fracture deflection increases about 3 fold. The effects on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of the SLMed aluminum alloy samples and subsequent T2 heat treatment were studied.

Treatment of glaucomatous optic nerve damage using ginsenoside Rg1 mediated by ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction.

The treatment of glaucomatous optic nervedamage using ginsenoside Rg1 mediated by ultrasound targeted microbubbles destruction was evaluated. Thirty healthy New Zealand white rabbits were subjected to injection of 0.3% carbomer solution to establish glaucomatous optic nerve damage model. Rabbits were divided into 5 groups: control group, model group, model group + intravitreal injection of nerve growth factor (NGF) group, model group + intravitreal injection of ginsenoside Rg1 group (Rg1 group), model group + intravitreal injection of ginsenoside Rg1 + ultrasound microbubble group (ultrasound group), model group + ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction (ultrasound group). Intraocular pressures were compared at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after model establishment. Rabbits were sacrificed 4 weeks after model establishment to collect retinal tissue for H&E staining. Histological changes were observed and the retinal thickness was measured. Contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide (NO) were measured by ELISA. Intraocular pressure was significantly higher in model group than in control group at 1 week (P<0.05). Intraocular pressure was significantly lower in the ultrasound group than in NGF group and Rg1 group at all time-points (P<0.05). The number of ganglion cells in model group was decreased significantly. Number of nuclear layer cells was significantly reduced. Thickest retina was found in control group and model group was the thinnest (P<0.05). Contents of MDA and NO in model group were significantly higher than those in NCF group and Rg1 group. SOD content in control group was higher than that in ultrasound group and model group (P<0.05). In conclusion, treatment of glaucomatous optic nerve damage using ginsenoside Rg1 mediated by ultrasound targeted microbubble destruction can reduce the level of oxidative stress, relieve intraocular pressure and reduce ganglion cell damage.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of stainless steel/calcium silicate composites manufactured by selective laser melting.

Selective laser melting (SLM) is raised as one kind of additive manufacturing (AM) which is based on the discrete-stacking concept. This technique can fabricate advanced composites with desirable properties directly from 3D CAD data. In this research, 316L stainless steel (316L SS) and different fractions of calcium silicate (CaSiO3) composites (weight fractions of calcium silicate are 0%, 5%,10% and 15%, respectively) were prepared by SLM technique with a purpose to develop biomedical metallic materials. The relative density, tensile, microhardness and elastic modulus of the composites were tested, their microstructures and fracture morphologies were observed using optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that the addition of CaSiO3 particles influenced the microstructure and mechanical properties of specimens significantly. The CaSiO3 precipitates from the overlap of adjacent tracks and became the origin of the defects. The tensile strength of specimens range 320-722MPa. The microhardness and elastic modulus are around 250HV and 215GPa respectively. These composites were ductile materials and the fracture mode of the composites was mixed mode of ductile and brittle fracture. The 316L SS/CaSiO3 composites can be a potential biomedical metallic materials in the medical field.

Long-term manure amendments reduced soil aggregate stability via redistribution of the glomalin-related soil protein in macroaggregates.

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) contributes to the formation and maintenance of soil aggregates, it is however remains unclear whether long-term intensive manure amendments alter soil aggregates stability and whether GRSP regulates these changes. Based on a three-decade long fertilization experiment in northeast China, this study examined the impact of long-term manure input on soil organic carbon (SOC), total and easily extractable GRSP (GRSPt and GRSPe) and their respective allocations in four soil aggregates (>2000 µm; 2000-250 µm; 250-53 µm; and <53 µm). The treatments include no fertilization (CK), low and high manure amendment (M1, M2), chemical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (NPK), and combined manure and chemical fertilizers (NPKM1, NPKM2). Though SOC, GRSPe and GRSPt in soil and SOC in each aggregate generally increased with increasing manure input, GRSPt and GRSPe in each aggregate showed varying changes with manure input. Both GRSP in macroaggregates (2000-250 µm) were significantly higher under low manure input, a pattern consistent with changes in soil aggregate stability. Constituting 38~49% of soil mass, macroaggregates likely contributed to the nonlinear changes of aggregate stability under manure amendments. The regulatory process of GRSP allocations in soil aggregates has important implications for manure management under intensive agriculture.

[Establishment of rabbit with acute cerebral infarction by intervention and evaluation of computed tomographic perfusion imaging].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the establishment of acute cerebral infarction model in rabbits and evaluate the value of computed tomographic perfusion (CTP) imaging. METHODS: A total of 12 healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were used. The model was established through femoral artery puncture and injecting autoblood clot into internal carotid artery through an inserted micro-catheter to occlude the artery. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) cerebral angiography and CTP imaging were performed at 2 and 6 hours post-embolization. RESULTS: Super-selective catheterization of internal carotid artery and an injection of auto-blood clots were successfully accomplished in all rabbits and the success rate was 100%. DSA showed that middle cerebral artery and anterior cerebral artery narrowed. At 2 hours post-embolism, CTP showed cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebral blood volume (CBV) decreased and mean transit time (MTT) and time to peak (TTP) increased in cerebral ischemia area. Compared with the contralateral mirror area, CBF and CBV decreased in infarct area and MTT and TTP elongated with significant statistical difference at 2 and 6 hours (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The model of acute cerebral ischemia may be effectively established in rabbits. This micro-invasive technique is easily manipulated with a high success rate. And CTP is an effective way of diagnosing acute cerebral infarction.

Nitrous oxide emissions from black soils with different pH.

N2O fluxes as a function of incubation time from soil with different available N contents and pH were determined. Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were measured to indicate soil respiration. A 144-hr incubation experiment was conducted in a slightly acidic agricultural soil (pH(H2O) 5.33) after the pH was adjusted to four different values (3.65, 5.00, 6.90 and 8.55). The experiments consisted of a control without added N, and with NH(4+)-N and NO(3-)-N fertilization. The results showed that soil pH contributed significantly to N2O flux from the soils. There were higher N2O emissions in the period 0-12 hr in the four pH treatments, especially those enhanced with N-fertilization. The cumulative N2O-N emission reached a maximum at pH 8.55 and was stimulated by NO(3-)-N fertilization (70.4 microg/kg). The minimum emissions appeared at pH 3.65 and were not stimulated by NO(3-)-N or NH(4+)-N fertilization. Soil respiration increased significantly due to N-fertilization. Soil respiration increased positively with soil pH (R2 = 0.98, P < 0.01). The lowest CO2-C emission (30.2 mg/kg) was presented in pH 3.65 soils without N-fertilization. The highest CO2-C emissions appeared in the pH 8.55 soils for NH(4+)-N fertilization (199 mg/kg). These findings suggested that N20 emissions and soil respiration were significantly influenced by low pH, which strongly inhibits soil microbial nitrification and denitrification activities. The content of NO(3-)-N in soil significantly and positively affected the N20 emissions through denitrification.

Alkaline ameliorants increase nitrous oxide emission from acidified black soil in Northeastern China.

Lime and plant ash are common management used to achieve optimum pH for plant growth and improve soil properties in agricultural soils. Laboratory incubation was conducted to assess N20 emissions as influenced by different soil amendments (lime and plant ash) in a slightly acidic arable soil (pH 5.34). The experimental treatments consisted of CK, lime and plant ash fertilized with NH4(+)-N or N03(-)-N as nitrogen resource. The results show that lime and plant ash dramatically increases the soil pH and N20 emission. For N03(-)-N fertilization, the cumulative N20 emissions from CK, lime and ash are 421, 1669 and 921 µg N20-N/kg, respectively. For NH4(+)-N fertilization, the cumulative N20 emissions from CK, lime and ash are 361, 576 and 559 µg N20-N/kg, respectively. N03(-)-N addition leads to more N20 emission than that of NH4(+)-N addition, and lime increases more N20 emission than that of plant ash. After incubation, N03(-)-N content decreased largely. The findings suggested that alkaline ameliorants increase N20 emissions due to enhancement of soil denitrification.

[Relationships of soil physical and microbial properties with nitrous oxide emission under effects of freezing-thawing cycles].

Freezing-thawing cycles often occurs in the regions of mid-high latitude and high altitude. This process can affect soil physical and biological properties, e.g., soil water status, aggregate stability, and microbial biomass and community structure. Under its effects, the bio-indicators of soil microbes, i.e., the kinds and quantities of some specific amino sugars varied, and the course and intensity of soil nitrogen transformation changed, which resulted in an increase of nitrous oxide (N2O) production and emission, and made the soil be a major source of N2O emission. This paper summarized the research progress on the aspects mentioned above, with the further research directions on the theoretical problems of soil N2O production and emission under effects of freezing-thawing suggested.

Nitrous oxide emission and reduction in a laboratory-incubated paddy soil response to pretreatment of water regime.

A laboratory incubation experiment was conducted to investigate nitrous oxide (N2O) emission and reduction in a paddy soil (Stagnic Anthrosol) response to the pretreatment of water regime. The paddy soil was maintained under either air-dried (sample D) or submerged (sample F) conditions for 110 d before the soil was adjusted into soil moisture of 20% , 40% , 60% , 80% and 100% water holding capacity (WH(-2)) respectively, and then incubated with or without 10% (v/v) acetylene for 138 h at 25 degrees C. At lower soil water content (< or = 60% WHC), N2O emission from the sample F was 2.29 times higher than that from the sample D (P < 0.01). While, N2O emission from the sample F was only 29 and 14 percent of that from the sample D at the soil moisture of 80% and 100% WHC, respectively (P < 0.01). The maximal N2O emissions observed at soil moisture of 80% WHC were about 24 and 186 times higher than the minima obtained at the soil moisture of 20% WHC for the sample F and D, respectively. But at the soil moisture of 80% and 100% WHC, N2O emission from the sample F with acetylene (F + ACE) was comparable to that of the sample D with acetylene (D + ACE). The results showed that the F sample produced N2O ability in denitrification was similar to the sample D, however, the sample F was in the better reduction of N2O to N, than the sample D even after the soil moisture was adjusted into the same level of 80% or 100% WHC. Therefore, the pretreatment of water regime influenced the strength and product composition of denitrification and N2O emission from the paddy soil.

[Dissolved aluminum and organic carbon in soil solution under six tree stands in Lushan forest ecosystems].

Different depths of soils under 6 tree stands in Lushan Botany Garden were sampled and water-digested at room temperature. The dissolved aluminum and organic carbon were then determined by colorimetry, using 8-hydroxylquilin and TOC Analyzer, respectively. The results indicated that even derived from a naturally identical soil type, the test soils exhibited a diverse solution chemistry, regarding with the Al speciation. The soil solutions under Japanese cedar, giant arborvitae and tea had lower pH values and higher contents of soluble aluminum than those under Giant dogwood, azalea and bamboo. Under giant arborvitae, the lowest pH and the highest content of total soluble aluminum and monomeric aluminum were found in soil solution. There was a significant correlation between soluble aluminum and DOC, which tended to depress the accumulation of toxic monomeric aluminum. The 6 tree stands could be grouped into 2 categories of solution chemistry, according to aluminum mobilization.