Effects of co-contamination of heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons on soil bacterial community and function network reconstitution.

Due to the accumulation of heavy metals in soil ecosystems, the response of soil microorganisms to the disturbance of heavy metals were widely studied. However, little was known about the interactions among microorganisms in heavy metals and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) co-contaminated soils. In the present study, the microbiota shifts of 2 different contamination types of heavy metal-TPH polluted soils were investigated. NGS sequencing approach was adopted to illustrate the microbial community structure and to predict community function. Networks were established to reveal the interactions between microbes and environmental pollutants. Results showed that the alpha diversity and OTUs number of soil microbiota were reduced under heavy metals and TPH pollutants. TPH was the major pollutant in HT1 group, in which Proteobacteria phylum increased significantly, including Arenimonas genus, Sphingomonadaceae family and Burkholderiaceae family. Moreover, the function structures based on the KEGG database of HT1 group was enriched in the benzene matter metabolism and bacterial motoricity in microbiota. In contrast, severe Cr-Pb-TPH co-pollutants in HT2 increased the abundance of Firmicutes. In details, the relative abundance of Streptococcus genus and Bacilli class raised sharply. The DNA replication functions in microbiota were enriched under severely contaminated soil as a result of high concentrations of heavy metals and TPH pollutants' damage to bacteria. Furthermore, according to the correlation analysis between microbes and the pollutants, Streptococcus, Neisseria, Aeromonas, Porphyromonas and Acinetobacter were suggested as the bioremediation bacteria for Cr and Pb polluted soils, while Syntrophaceae spp. and Immundisolibacter were suggested as the bioremediation bacteria for TPH polluted soil. The study took a survey on the microbiota shifts of the heavy metals and TPH polluted soils, and the microbe's biomarkers provided new insights for the candidate strains of biodegradation, while further researches are required to verify the biodegradation mechanism of these biomarkers.

A Blockchain-Assisted Intelligent Transportation System Promoting Data Services with Privacy Protection.

Being able to obtain various environmental and driving data from vehicles is becoming more and more important for current and future intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) to operate efficiently and economically. However, the limitations of privacy protection and security of the current ITSs are hindering users and vehicles from providing data. In this paper, we propose a new ITS architecture by using blockchain technology solving the privacy protection and security problems, and promoting users and vehicles to provide data to ITSs. The proposed architecture uses blockchain as a trust infrastructure to protect users' privacy and provide trustworthy services to users. It is also compatible with the legacy ITS infrastructure and services. In addition, the hierarchical organization of chains enables the scalability of the system, and the use of smart contracts provides a flexible way for introducing new services in the ITS. The proposed architecture is demonstrated by a proof of concept implementation based on Ethereum. The test results show that the proposed architecture is feasible.

Evaluation of the Effects of Lime-bassanite-charcoal Amendment on the Immobilization of Cadmium in Contaminated Soil.

The effects of amendments, such as lime, bassanite, sodium phosphate, steel slag and charcoal, and their compounds on the immobilization of cadmium (Cd) are investigated. The lime-bassanite-charcoal compound shows the best remediation performance compared to other agents in conducted experiments. The optimum condition for lime-bassanite-charcoal application in contaminated soil is lime-bassanite-charcoal with a mass ratio of 1:1/3:2/3, a dose of 2% of the soil weight, and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 35%-40%; additionally, the agents should be added before water addition. The highest Cd removal rate was 58.94% (±1.19%) with a ∆pH of 0.23, which is much higher than the rates reported in previous studies. The compound amendment was used in a field experiment, demonstrating a Cd removal efficiency of 48.78% (±4.23), further confirming its effectiveness.

Corrosive effect on saturated pool boiling heat transfer characteristics of metallic surfaces with hierarchical micro/nano structures.

Surface modification is of critical interest to enhance boiling heat transfer in terms of heat transfer coefficient or critical heat flux (CHF), which is significantly affected by distinct surface morphology and wettability and it can improve the efficiency and safety of equipment. Furthermore, actual service environment may cause severe corrosion to the processed structured surfaces while its consequence on boiling heat transfer is still obscure. In this article, comprehensive researches are conducted to unravel corrosive effect on metallic samples made of stainless steel (SS) and Inconel materials with microstructures. Different constructions (i.e., microgroove, microcavity and micropillar array) and characteristic dimensions (∼20, 50 µm) of microstructure, various duration time (up to 300 days) and pH values (∼7.0-8.5) of corrosive environment are compared thoroughly. Conclusions can be drawn that not all microstructures can enhance pool boiling heat transfer characteristics, especially in terms of CHF values. More importantly, CHF value of SS microgroove sample firstly increases from 60.94 to 94.09 W·cm-2 in 50 days, then decreases to 47.77 W·cm-2 in 300 days, which can be attributed to competition result between formation of hierarchical micro/nano structure with enhancing wicking capability and chemistry condition with increasing contact angle. In addition, distinct bubble dynamics during pool boiling is also analyzed. The insights obtained from this article can be used to guide surface modification method and to reveal evolvement rule of engineered metallic surface in highly corrosive and harsh boiling heating transfer environment.

[Effect of Silica Fertilizer(Husk Ash) to Improve Soil Quality and Reduce Cd and As Accumulation in Rice].

A rice pot experiment was conducted to identify the effect of silica fertilizer prepared from husk ash on the soil bioavailability of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As), enzyme activities, microbial community structure, and heavy metal content in brown rice at different growth stages. The results showed that the application of 0.1%-1.0% silica fertilizer-husk ash increased the pH value of soil by 0.04-0.24 units and the content of soil available silicon by 44.2%-97.5%. It also decreased the content of available Cd and available As by 16.2%-21.4% and 16.0%-24.9%, respectively. With the increase in application amount, the soil enzyme activities increased at all growth stages, and the sucrase activity and the dehydrogenase activity significantly increased by 6.3%-145.7% and 6.7%-224.1%, respectively. The analysis of the soil microbial community composition structure at mature stages showed that the application of silica fertilizer-husk ash had no effect on microbial α-diversity, but it had a significant effect on microbial ß-diversity and then promoted microbial growth and maintained the stability of the community structure. With the increase in application amount, the contents of Cd in brown rice decreased by 29.3%-89.7%, and the contents of total As and inorganic As in brown rice decreased by 7.8%-42.3% and 17.2%-44.5%, respectively. Under the application of 0.5% and 1.0% silica fertilizer-husk ash, the Cd contents in brown rice were lower than 0.2 mg·kg-1, and the inorganic As contents in brown rice were lower than 0.35 mg·kg-1. In conclusion, the silica fertilizer-husk ash can improve soil quality and reduce the contents of Cd and As in brown rice, and it is eco-friendly and can be used to remedy the paddy soil contaminated with Cd and As.

Effects of dietary cecropin on growth performance, diarrhea rate and intestinal health of nursery Hainan pigs.

Antimicrobial peptides could inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and promote the growth performance in weaned piglets. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with cecropin antimicrobial peptides (CAP) on growth performance, diarrhea rate, intestinal health in nursery Hainan piglets. For this, 120 healthy nursery Hainan male piglets (13.29 ± 0.29 kg, 44 days old) were randomly divided into 5 groups-a control (CON) group (fed a basal diet), an antibiotic control (AC) group (fed a basal diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg colistin sulfate); and 3 experimental groups (provided the basal diet supplemented with 250, 500, or 1,000 mg/kg CAP). Pre-feeding lasted 7 days and the official period lasted 40 days. The results showed that compared with the CON group, dietary supplementation of 500 mg/kg CAP had significantly increased the average daily gain (ADG, p < 0.05), while the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and diarrhea rate were markedly reduced (p < 0.05), serum total protein (TP), albumin, IgA, IgM, and globulin concentrations were significantly increased (p < 0.05), where serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was significantly reduced (p < 0.05), and it also increased the villus height and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio in the jejunum, reduced the serum D-lactic acid concentrations and diamine oxidase activity, and increased the expression level of ZO-1 and occludin in the jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05), the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, and Limoslactobacillus in the colon were increased (p < 0.05), whereas that of Streptococcus and Escherichia-Shigella were reduced (p < 0.05). These results indicated that dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CAP could improve the growth performance, reduce the diarrhea rate, improve the serum immunity, intestinal health of nursery pigs.

Rich-silicon rice husk ash increases iron plaque formation and decreases cadmium and arsenic accumulation in rice seedlings.

Combined Cd (cadmium) and As (arsenic) pollution in cultivated land affects the safety of crops production and endangers human health. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a crop that uptakes Si (silicon), and Si can effectively promote rice growth and mitigate heavy metal toxicity. This study examined the effect and mechanism of Si-rich amendment (HA) prepared by aerobic combustion of rice husk on Cd and As accumulation in iron plaque and rice seedlings via hydroponic experiments. HA enhanced the vitality of rice growth because of its Si content and increased the amount of amorphous fraction iron plaques, furthermore, Cd content was decreased while the As was increased in both amorphous fraction and crystalline fraction iron plaques, resulting in the contents of Cd and As decreases by 10.0%-38.3% and 9.6%-42.8% for the shoots, and by 13.4%-45.2% and 9.9%-20.0% for the roots, respectively. In addition, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy illustrated significantly more Fe2O, MnO2 and MnO in the iron plaque after HA supply and the simultaneous existence of Mn-As and Mn-Si compounds. This result revealed less Cd from iron plaque and more As retention with HA supply, reducing the amount of Cd and As up taking and accumulation by rice seedlings. HA is beneficial to rice growth and reduce the absorption of heavy metals in plants. At the same time, HA is environmentally friendly, it can be used for the remediation of paddy fields contaminated by Cd and As.

Genome-wide analysis of the AP2/ERF gene family in Pennisetum glaucum and the negative role of PgRAV_01 in drought tolerance.

APETALA2/ethylene-responsive (AP2/ERF) plays crucial roles in resisting diverse stresses and in regulating plant growth and development. However, little is known regarding the structure and function of the AP2/ERF genes in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum). The AP2/ERF gene family may be involved in the development and maintenance of P. glaucum resilience to abiotic stresses, central to its role as a vital forage and cereal crop. In this study, PgAP2/ERF family members were identified and comprehensive bioinformatics analyses were performed, including determination of phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, chromosomal localization, gene duplication, expression pattern, protein interaction network, and functional characterization of PgRAV_01 (Related to ABI3/VP1). In total, 78 PgAP2/ERF members were identified in the P. glaucum genome and classified into five subfamilies: AP2, ERF, DREB, RAV, and soloist. Members within the same clade of the PgAP2/ERF family showed similar gene structures and motif compositions. Six duplication events were identified in the PgAP2/ERF family; calculation of Ka/Ks values showed that purification selection dominated the evolution of PgAP2/ERFs. Subsequently, a potential interaction network of PgAP2/ERFs was generated to predict the interaction relationships. Additionally, abiotic stress expression analysis showed that most PgAP2/ERFs were induced in response to drought and heat stresses. Furthermore, overexpression of PgRAV_01 negatively regulated drought tolerance in Nicotiana benthamiana by reducing its antioxidant capacity and osmotic adjustment. Taken together, these results provide valuable insights into the characteristics and functions of PgAP2/ERF genes, with implications for abiotic stress tolerance, and will ultimately contribute to the genetic improvement of cereal crop breeding.

Comprehensive analysis of B3 family genes in pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and the negative regulator role of PgRAV-04 in drought tolerance.

Introduction: Members of the plant-specific B3 transcription factor superfamily play crucial roles in various plant growth and developmental processes. Despite numerous valuable studies on B3 genes in other species, little is known about the B3 superfamily in pearl millet. Methods and results: Here, through comparative genomic analysis, we identified 70 B3 proteins in pearl millet and categorized them into four subfamilies based on phylogenetic affiliations: ARF, RAV, LAV, and REM. We also mapped the chromosomal locations of these proteins and analyzed their gene structures, conserved motifs, and gene duplication events, providing new insights into their potential functional interactions. Using transcriptomic sequencing and real-time quantitative PCR, we determined that most PgB3 genes exhibit upregulated expression under drought and high-temperature stresses, indicating their involvement in stress response regulation. To delve deeper into the abiotic stress roles of the B3 family, we focused on a specific gene within the RAV subfamily, PgRAV-04, cloning it and overexpressing it in tobacco. PgRAV-04 overexpression led to increased drought sensitivity in the transgenic plants due to decreased proline levels and peroxidase activity. Discussion: This study not only adds to the existing body of knowledge on the B3 family's characteristics but also advances our functional understanding of the PgB3 genes in pearl millet, reinforcing the significance of these factors in stress adaptation mechanisms.

Population Structure and Genetic Diversity in the Natural Distribution of Neolamarckia cadamba in China.

Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser is a fast-growing deciduous tree species and belongs to the Neolamarckia genus of the Rubiaceae family. This species has great economic and medical values in addition to being an important timber species for multiple industrial purposes. However, few studies have examined the genetic diversity and population structure in the natural distribution of this species in China. Here, we applied both the haploid nrDNA ITS (619 bp for aligned sequences) and mtDNA (2 polymorphic loci) markers to investigate 10 natural populations (239 individuals in total) that covered most of the distribution of the species in China. The results showed that the nucleotide diversity was π = 0.1185 ± 0.0242 for the nrDNA ITS markers and π = 0.00038 ± 0.00052 for the mtDNA markers. The haplotype diversity for the mtDNA markers was h = 0.1952 ± 0.2532. The population genetic differentiation was small (Fstn = 0.0294) for the nrDNA ITS markers but large (Fstm = 0.6765) for the mtDNA markers. There were no significant effects of isolation by distance (IBD), by elevation, and by two climatic factors (annual average precipitation and tem perature). A geographic structure among populations (Nst

Dietary Supplementation with Putrescine Improves Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Wenchang Chickens.

This study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with putrescine on the growth performance and meat quality of chickens. A total of 480 eighty-day-old female Wenchang chickens were randomly assigned into four groups, with 8 replications per group and 15 animals per replicate. The chickens in the control group (Con) were fed a basal diet; the 3 experimental groups were fed a basal diet with 0.01%, 0.03%, and 0.05% putrescine, respectively. The experiment lasted for 40 days. The results showed that dietary supplementation with 0.05% putrescine increased (p < 0.05) the final body weight and average daily weight gain, and decreased the ratio of feed intake to the body weight gain of Wenchang chickens. Dietary supplementation with putrescine decreased the concentrations of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine in serum (p < 0.05). The contents of methionine, phenylalanine, lysine, aspartic acid, tyrosine, total essential amino acids, and total amino acids in breast muscle were higher (p < 0.05) in 0.03% and 0.05% groups than those in Con group. However, the contents of undecanoic acid, lauric acid, tridecanoic acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, arachidic acid, docosanoic acid, tricosanic acid, lignoceric acid, erucic acid, cis-11,14,17-eicosatrienoate, linoleic acid, and total n-6 monounsaturated fatty acids in breast muscle were lower (p < 0.05) in 0.03% and 0.05% groups than those in Con group. In addition, putrescine supplementation decreased (p < 0.05) the ratio of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast meat. Overall, dietary supplementation with 0.05% putrescine enhanced the growth performance and meat quality of Wenchang chickens.

Ammonia capture and flexible transformation of M-2(INA) (M=Cu, Co, Ni, Cd) series materials.

With the conflicting problems of pollution due to ammonia emissions and the demand for ammonia, we propose M-2(INA) (M=Cu, Co, Ni, Cd) (INA=isonicotinic acid), a series of materials that exhibit flexible conversion in ammonia adsorption. They can capture both wet and dry ammonia for recycling. The materials were obtained by dehydration of coordination materials M(INA)2(H2O)4 (M=Cu, Co, Ni, Cd) (150°C) at atmospheric pressure for 2h. M-2(INA) could reversibly transform to the stable coordination compounds M(INA)2(H2O)2(NH3)2 by adsorbing ammonia in the presence of moisture. The capacity for pure ammonia could reach 12-13mmol/g. Importantly, these materials could stably retain NH3 at a maximum temperature of 80°C and could regenerate below 150°C with no performance loss.

Screening Reliable Reference Genes for RT-qPCR Analysis of Gene Expression in Moringa oleifera.

Moringa oleifera is a promising plant species for oil and forage, but its genetic improvement is limited. Our current breeding program in this species focuses on exploiting the functional genes associated with important agronomical traits. Here, we screened reliable reference genes for accurately quantifying the expression of target genes using the technique of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in M. oleifera. Eighteen candidate reference genes were selected from a transcriptome database, and their expression stabilities were examined in 90 samples collected from the pods in different developmental stages, various tissues, and the roots and leaves under different conditions (low or high temperature, sodium chloride (NaCl)- or polyethyleneglycol (PEG)- simulated water stress). Analyses with geNorm, NormFinder and BestKeeper algorithms revealed that the reliable reference genes differed across sample designs and that ribosomal protein L1 (RPL1) and acyl carrier protein 2 (ACP2) were the most suitable reference genes in all tested samples. The experiment results demonstrated the significance of using the properly validated reference genes and suggested the use of more than one reference gene to achieve reliable expression profiles. In addition, we applied three isotypes of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene that are associated with plant adaptation to abiotic stress to confirm the efficacy of the validated reference genes under NaCl and PEG water stresses. Our results provide a valuable reference for future studies on identifying important functional genes from their transcriptional expressions via RT-qPCR technique in M. oleifera.