Impact of resource scarcity on general categorization tendency: The moderating role of perceived mutability.

Prior studies revealed varying effects of resource scarcity on individuals' general categorization tendency. However, little is known about when and why such differences occur. Based on the self-regulatory model of resource scarcity, we examine whether resource scarcity generates higher or lower general categorization tendency depending on the perceived mutability of the resource discrepancy. We conducted two online experiments to test the hypotheses. The results affirmed that when individuals consider the resource discrepancy to be mutable, they are more likely to seek abundance to compensate for resource scarcity, thus reducing their general categorization tendency. In contrast, perceiving the scarcity as immutable triggers the intention to restore a sense of control undermined by the scarcity, increasing individuals' general categorization tendency. Our findings provide insights into the downstream consequences of resource scarcity and offer significant managerial implications for coping strategies.

[Removal of mixed waste gases by the biotrickling filter].

A biotrickling filter (BTF) was designed for treating mixed waste gases, which contained hydrogen sulfide (H2S), tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dichloromethane (DCM) at the start-up and steady states. The removal efficiency of H2S and DCM could maintain about 99% and 60%, respectively, and the removal efficiency of DCM was reduced from 90% to 37% with the shortening empty bed retention time (EBRT) form 50 to 20 seconds when the inlet concentrations were 200, 100, 100 mg x m(-3) of H2S, THF, DCM, respectively. In the theoretical study, the biodegradation efficiency of contaminants was H2S > THF > DCM by analyzing the Michaelis-Menten Dynamic model.

Biodegradation of tetrahydrofuran by Pseudomonas oleovorans DT4 immobilized in calcium alginate beads impregnated with activated carbon fiber: mass transfer effect and continuous treatment.

A novel entrapment matrix, calcium alginate (CA) coupled with activated carbon fiber (ACF), was prepared to immobilize Pseudomonas oleovorans DT4 for degrading tetrahydrofuran (THF). The addition of 1.5% ACF increased the adsorption capacity of the immobilized bead, thus resulting in an enhanced average removal rate of 30.3mg/(Lh). The synergism between adsorption and biodegradation was observed in the hybrid CA-ACF beads instead of in the system comprising CA beads and freely suspended ACF. The effective diffusion coefficient of the CA-ACF bead was not significantly affected by bead size, but the bead's value of 1.14×10(-6)cm(2)/s (for the bead diameter of 0.4 cm) was larger than that of the CA bead by almost one order of magnitude based on the intraparticle diffusion-reaction kinetics analysis. Continuous treatment of the THF-containing wastewater was succeeded by CA-ACF immobilized cells in a packed-bed reactor for 54 d with a >90% removal efficiency.

The chronic effects of low lead level on the expressions of Nrf2 and Mrp1 of the testes in the rats.

Lead is linked to many reproductive problems. This study was to explore the chronic effects of low lead level on expressions of Nrf2 and Mrp1 in rats' testes. Maternal SD rats were administered lead acetate from 10 days before gestation to weaning at three doses respectively after randomization. From each group, 15 male offsprings were then chosen and administrated lead acetate from weaning to six months old at the doses of 0, 0.3 and 0.9g/L respectively. The dose administrations were through drinking water freely. The methods of RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used for Mrp1 and Nrf2 of the testes. Compared with control group, significant increases were observed in the expressions of Mrp1 and Nrf2 in two lead groups (P<0.05); nucleus translocation of Nrf2 was observed; both GST and GSH was decreased with increasing the lead dose. In conclusion, Mrp1 might play important roles in lead detoxification by Nrf2.

[Removal of hydrogen sulfide by plate type-biotrickling filter].

A plate type biotrickling filters (plate type-biotrickling filter, PTBTF) in which three layers are separately sprayed by nutrient solution of pH 2.5, 4.5 and 6.5, relatively, was designed for H2S removal at the start-up and steady states. The biofilm formation of PTBTF was completed within 14 d, and the removal efficiency of 100% was achieved at the inlet H2S concentration of 188.6 mg x m(-3). Afterwards, H2S removal efficiency remained above 99% with the inlet concentration between 100 mg x m(-3) and 1 000 mg x m(-3) and empty bed residence time (EBRT) between 28 s and 4 s. When removal efficiency was 90%, the maximum elimination capacity of PTBTF increased with EBRT (3.3-6 s), e. g. 1 019.0 g x (m3 x h)(-1) for EBRT 6 s. The elimination capacity of the upper, middle and lower layer varied with the inlet H2S loading. It was found that the microorganisms onto the packing carriers in upper, middle and lower layers increased significantly at the start-up state, and reached 1.29 x 10(7), 5.47 x 10(8), and 1.07 x 10(9) cells x g(-1), respectively, in 125 d by the means of fluorescence staining. The bacilliform and filamentous microorganisms were the dominants in the upper and lower layer, respectively, observed by scanning electron microscopy. The biological community analysis by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis was also conducted in this study. The main products of SO4(2-) and sulfur were determined for H2S degradation.