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NO gas therapy is a supplementary approach for tumor treatment due to the advantages of minimal invasion, little drug resistance, low side effect and amplified efficacy. l -Arginine (L-Arg), a natural NO source with good biocompatibility, can release NO under the stimulation of H 2 O 2 in tumor microenvironment. However, the conventional l -Arg delivery systems via noncovalent loading usually lead to inevitable premature leakage of nano-cargos during blood circulation. In this work, an efficient l -Arg self-delivery supramolecular nanodrug (SDSND) for tumor treatment is demonstrated by combining Mannich reaction and π-π stacking. l -Arg links to (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) with the assistance of formaldehyde through Mannich reaction, and then assembles into nanometer-sized particles via π-π stacking. The guanidine group of l -Arg and the phenolic hydroxyl groups of EGCG are preserved in the SDSNDs, which allows for accomplishing gas therapy by provoking tumor cell apoptosis and combining with EGCG to amplify apoptosis, respectively. In addition, the SDSNDs exhibit high biocompatibility and avoid the premature leakage of l -Arg in blood circulation, providing an alternative l -Arg delivery system for NO gas therapy. NO gas therapy has attracted emerging interest in tumor treatment. However, the controlled NO release and the avoidance of premature leakage of NO donors remain challenging. In this work, L-Arginine (L-Arg) self-delivery supramolecular nanodrug for efficient tumor therapy is demonstrated through the Mannich reaction of L-Arg, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and formaldehyde. Stimulated by tumor microenvironment, the guanidine groups of L-Arg allow for accomplishing NO release and thus provoking tumor cell apoptosis. The nanodrug also avoids the premature leakage of L-Arg in blood circulation. Moreover, the preserved phenolic hydroxyl groups of EGCG combine with L-Arg to amplify apoptosis. The nanodrug exhibits high biocompatibility and good therapeutic effect, providing an alternative L-Arg delivery system for NO gas therapy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital twins are digital models that operate within the digital space to perform specific functions. It can positively impact the physical counterpart in terms of improved efficiency, reduced costs, increased safety, and reliability. However, most existing research has limited digital twins to a single digital twin model, and the inherent characteristics and practical applications of single digital twin models make it challenging to fully utilize their advantages in complex and dynamic environments. Therefore, this paper proposes the concept of a multi-digital twin (MDT), as well as its synergistic operation mechanism, and designs two specific implementation methods suitable for processing time series-related tasks: the single metric dynamic preference method and the multi-metrics dynamic fusion method both based on a time window. Then, the results of two experiments show that the average relative improvement of two methods in the MAE, RMSE, and R2 metrics were 7.83 %, 5.01 %, and 1.24 % in 2015, and 4.98 %, 2 %, and 0.29 % in 2017. This means that the proposed methods can improve the accuracy of wind power forecasting. The effectiveness of the MDT synergy operation mechanism is verified, providing new research ideas for digital twins to adapt to complex system changes. • The concept of multi-digital twin is defined, which utilizes the information generated by many single digital twins. • The synergistic operation mechanism for multi-digital twin is proposed, and two methods are designed. • Four single digital twin models were constructed for wind power forecasting task. • Two experiments show that the rational application of multi-digital twin can improve the wind power prediction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury pollution in fields has become a potential threat to human health. Planting wheat cultivars with low mercury accumulation in slight or medium mercury-polluted fields is an efficient solution to ensure food safety. Therefore, this study evaluated the mercury resistance and accumulation characteristics of 30 generalized wheat cultivars in major wheat-producing areas of China. A modified membership function that considers the weight of each trait was used. Results demonstrated that the plant height of wheat significantly increased under both low mercury and high mercury stresses. The uppermost internode length significantly increased while the spikelet number significantly decreased under low mercury stress. Yield-related traits, including total grain number, fresh grain yield, and dry grain yield, significantly decreased under high mercury stress. The mercury concentrations in wheat grains presented a significant negative correlation with the mercury resistance coefficients of plant height (−0.38*), spike length (−0.39*), and fresh grain yield (−0.38*) under high mercury stress. The heritability of all traits reached medium to high levels, ranging from 0.31 to 0.68. This finding suggested that the investigated traits are stable and suitable for the assessment system. Selection criteria for wheat mercury resistance were established using discriminant analysis, which integrated the mercury resistance coefficients of effective tiller number, fresh grain yield, and dry biomass into the discriminant function under low mercury stress and the mercury resistance coefficients of dry grain yield and dry biomass under high mercury stress. Ultimately, Liangxing-99, Nongda-3163, and Gaocheng-8901 were screened for high mercury resistance and low mercury accumulation. These wheat cultivars could be planted in fields with low or medium mercury pollution to obtain safe grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inland freshwater ecosystems are of increasing concerns in global methane (CH 4) budget in the atmosphere. Agricultural irrigation watersheds are a potential CH 4 emission hotspot owing to the anthropogenic carbon and nutrients loading. However, large-scale spatial variations of CH 4 concentrations and fluxes in agricultural catchments remain poorly understood, constraining an accurate regional estimate of CH 4 budgets. Here, we examined the spatiotemporal variations of dissolved CH 4 concentrations and fluxes from typical freshwater types (ditch, reservoir and river) within an agricultural irrigation watershed from Hongze catchment, which is subjected to intensive agricultural and rural activities in Eastern China. The dissolved CH 4 concentrations and fluxes showed similar temporal variations among the three freshwater types, with the highest rates in summer and the lowest rates in winter. The total CH 4 emission from this agricultural irrigation watershed was estimated to be 0.002 Gg CH 4 yr−1, with annual mean CH 4 concentration and flux of 0.12 μmol L−1 and 0.58 mg m−2 d−1, respectively. Diffusive CH 4 fluxes varied in samples taken from different freshwater types, the annual mean CH 4 fluxes for ditch, reservoir and river were 0.31 ± 0.06, 0.71 ± 0.13 and 0.72 ± 0.25 mg m−2 d−1, respectively. Among three freshwater types, the CH 4 fluxes were the lowest in ditch, which was associated with the lowest responses of CH 4 fluxes to water dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate nitrogen (NO 3 −-N) and sediment dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations in ditch. In addition, water velocity and wind speed were significantly lower in ditch than in reservoir and river, suggesting that they also played important roles in explaining the spatial variability of dissolved CH 4 concentrations and fluxes. These results highlighted a need for more field measurements with wider spatial coverage and finer frequency, which would further improve the reliability of flux estimates for assessing the contribution of agricultural watersheds to the regional and global CH 4 budgets. [Display omitted] • CH 4 concentrations and fluxes showed similar temporal variations among water types. • The CH 4 fluxes were significantly lower in ditches than in reservoirs and rivers. • The most sensitive responses of CH 4 fluxes to water parameters were found in rivers. • Water velocity and wind speed are responsible for spatial variability of CH 4 fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air change rate (ACR) significantly influences the indoor thermal environment and indoor air quality. Moreover, as a matter of fact, ACR varies with time during natural ventilation. However, to date only a few studies have accounted for the dynamic ACR for the actual in-use buildings. To address this issue, a field measurement of outdoor/indoor environments and the window state was conducted in a dormitory in Beijing in spring, summer, and autumn. Transient Mass Balance Equation (TMBE) method associated with the extended Kalman filter (Hereinafter referred to as Kalman filter method) was adopted to obtain the dynamic results of the ACR. Then the correlations of outdoor/indoor environments with the ACR and the probability of window opening were investigated. The results confirm the validity of Kalman filter method for tracking the dynamic nature of natural ventilation in residential units, and further demonstrate that occupants' interaction with windows does not simply refer to opening/closing windows, but also refer to adjusting the extent of the window being open in response to occupants' ventilation needs. Therefore, in addition to the probability of window opening, ventilation needs, i.e., the dynamic ACR, as the underlying trigger for window opening behavior, should be used as an indispensable part of describing occupants' interaction with windows. This study provides a complete framework to describe occupants' interactions with windows by combining the dynamic ACR and the probability of window opening. • Occupants' interaction with window includes opening window and adjusting its opening width. • Kalman filter method is validated for tracking the dynamic ACR in residential units. • The probability of window opening and the ACR are not always positively correlated. • In addition to window state, understanding the dynamic ACR is a necessary part. • This study expands the idea of natural ventilation research in residential units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The computerized freezing milling technique is derived from the virtual human project. It has been widely used in three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the human body and organs. With this technique, the study was undertaken to explore the 3D features and adjacent anatomic relationships of the sellar region for skull base surgery. Methods: Continuous thin sections on the coronary plane were performed with the computerized freezing milling technique using a human head specimen. The related structures were described in six sections. After segmenting, labeling, and extracting in serial sections, the 3D reconstruction of the sellar region was finished with Amira 4.1 software. Results: A total of 390 thin coronary sections were obtained. In six sections, the anatomic relationships of the pituitary gland, carotid artery, sphenoid sinus, and nerves are displayed. Three-dimensional images of the sellar region are video films that continuously and dynamically display anatomic structures in 3D space at different velocities. It can show that the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery is located anterolateral to the sphenoid sinus and lateral to the pituitary gland. The optic nerve protrudes into the superolateral portion of the sphenoid sinus. Conclusions: The combination of coronary sectional anatomy and 3D reconstruction can display the anatomic characteristics of the sellar region. The 3D models are video films that continuously and dynamically display anatomic structures in 3D space at different velocities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Measurements of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes have been extensively taken following rice seedlings transplanted into paddy fields, while little is known about CH4 and N2O fluxes from rice seedling nurseries. Fluxes of CH4 and N2O were simultaneously measured in rice seedling nurseries under the water regimes of continuous flooding and moist irrigation without waterlogging in Southeast China in 2010. Fluxes of CH4 and N2O from continuously flooded nurseries averaged 10.33–14.84mgm−2 h−1 and 28.64–34.35μg N2O–Nm−2 h−1 for the different fertilizer applied plots, respectively. Relative to continuous flooding, moist irrigation decreased total CH4 by 14–50% but increased N2O by 72–186%, dependent on the fertilizer types. Compared with inorganic N fertilizer, organic manure application increased CH4 by 44% and 148% in the continuously flooded and moist irrigation nurseries, respectively. Rice seedling growth parameters were the greatest in moist irrigation nurseries with inorganic N fertilizer application. Moist irrigation instead of continuous waterlogging and shifts from organic manure to combined organic/inorganic N fertilizer inputs have been increasingly experienced in Chinese rice seedling nurseries, which would benefit for mitigating the combined global warming potentials of CH4 and N2O from rice seedling nurseries in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A complete accounting of net greenhouse gas balance (NGHGB) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) affected by Fe(III) fertilizer application was examined in typical annual paddy rice-winter wheat rotation cropping systems in southeast China. Annual fluxes of soil carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) were measured using static chamber method, and the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) was determined by the difference between soil CO2 emissions (R H) and net primary production (NPP). Fe(III) fertilizer application significantly decreased R H without adverse effects on NPP of rice and winter wheat. Fe(III) fertilizer application decreased seasonal CH4 by 27–44%, but increased annual N2O by 65–100%. Overall, Fe(III) fertilizer application decreased the annual NGHGB and GHGI by 35–47% and 30–36%, respectively. High grain yield and low greenhouse gas intensity can be reconciled by Fe(III) fertilizer applied at the local recommendation rate in rice-based cropping systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In recent years, investigations of the pathologic mechanism of Parkinson’s disease (PD) have mainly concentrated on the basal ganglia. However, recent studies have confirmed that pathological changes in PD are accompanied by functional motor changes of the cerebral cortex. Rats were injected with 6-hydroxydopamine and ascorbic acid in the right substantia nigra. In this rat model of PD, magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed the ratio of N-acetyl-aspartic acid to creatine in a lesion in the right frontal cortex was significantly lower than the same ratio in a control group of rats. The ratio of choline to creatine in a lesion in the right frontal cortex was not significantly different between the PD-model rats and control rats. In addition, the optical densities of neurofilament protein and synaptophysin positive sites decreased significantly on the side of the brain with the injury compared with the side without the injury, and with both sides in the control rats. The density of synapses in the frontal cortex on the lesioned side was decreased compared with the unlesioned side. There were abnormal changes in the presynaptic membrane, postsynaptic membrane and synaptic vesicles, and the typical synaptic structure was no longer apparent on the lesioned side. We hypothesized loss of neurons and synapses, abnormal synaptic structure and neuron and synaptic dysfunction of the frontal cortex with a lesion in the injury side of the frontal cortex in PD-model rats. These changes might have an important role in the pathologic mechanism of PD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Annual paddy rice–winter wheat rotation constitutes one of the typical cropping systems in southeast China, in which various water regimes are currently practiced during the rice-growing season, including continuous flooding (F), flooding-midseason drainage-reflooding (F-D-F), and flooding-midseason drainage-reflooding and moisture but without waterlogging (F-D-F-M). We conducted a field experiment in a rice–winter wheat rotation system to gain an insight into the water regime-specific emission factors and background emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) over the whole annual cycle. While flooding led to an unpronounced N2O emission during the rice-growing season, it incurred substantial N2O emission during the following non-rice season. During the non-rice season, N2O fluxes were, on average, 2.61 and 2.48mg N2O–Nm− 2 day−1 for the 250kg N ha−1 applied plots preceded by the F and F-D-F water regimes, which are 56% and 49% higher than those by the F-D-F-M water regime, respectively. For the annual rotation system experienced by continuous flooding during the rice-growing season, the relationship between N2O emission and nitrogen input predicted the emission factor and background emission of N2O to be 0.87% and 1.77kg N2O–Nha−1, respectively. For the plots experienced by the water regimes of F-D-F and F-D-F-M, the emission factors of N2O averaged 0.97% and 0.85%, with background N2O emissions of 2.00kg N2O–Nha−1 and 1.61kg N2O–Nha−1 for the annual rotation system, respectively. Annual direct N2O–N emission was estimated to be 98.1Gg yr−1 in Chinese rice-based cropping systems in the 1990s, consisting of 32.3Gg during the rice-growing season and 65.8Gg during the non-rice season, which accounts for 25–35% of the annual total emission from croplands in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Contributed from polysarchride ligand of sodium alginate, Au NCs are sensitive to aggregate in tumor microenvironment. • The functional aggregation switches on photothermal conversion of AuNCs, endowing systemic photothermal therapy. • Sodium alginate delays renal clearance of AuNCs in blood circulation and prolongs the half-life to ∼9.3 h. For renal clearable nanoagents, it is challenging to delay the renal clearance to acquire efficient tumor accumulation. Herein, we report sodium alginate (SA) stabilized gold (Au) NCs. The Au NCs are of high biocompatibility and renal clearable. Contributed from the ligands of SA, the half-life (t 1/2) of Au NCs is prolonged to ∼9.3 h, enhancing the tumor accumulation rate to 10.4 %ID/g. In tumor microenvironment (TME), the Au NCs are stimulated to functionally aggregate, which switches on the photothermal effect. Animal experiments prove that Au NCs aggregates are efficient photothermal therapy (PTT) agents for both local treatment of single tumors and systemic treatment of double-tumor models without causing noticeable side effects, confirming the biosecurity of Au NCs and systemic PTT. The switchable strategy of PTT may signify the establishment of a new systemic therapeutic methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organ carbon are often used to enhance denitrification in wastewater treatment. However, their possible effects on microbial interactions are very limited. In this work, an anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) coupled with sulfur autotrophic/mixotrophic denitrification (SAD/SMD) system was used to investigate the changes in microbial interactions among the microbial communities under different nutrient condition. The removal efficiency of total nitrogen increased from 70% (SAD) to 97% (SMD). The Illumina sequencing analysis indicated that Planctomycetes was the most dominant bacterial phylum in anammox system. Thiobacillus and Sulfurimonas , two typical autotrophic denitrifiers, decreased significantly from 31.9% to 17.7%–12.2% and 9.3%, when the nutrient condition changed from SAD to SMD (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, some heterotrophic or mixotrophic denitrifying bacteria, including Gemmobacter , Pseudomonas and Thauera increased significantly (P < 0.05). Molecular ecological network (MEN) analysis showed that the addition of organic carbon substantially altered the overall architecture of the network. Compared with SAD, the SMD had shorter path lengths, indicating higher transfer efficiencies of information and materials among different microorganism. The addition of organic carbon increased the microbial interaction complexity of Proteobacteria. The links of Thiobacillus , which was a typical sulfur-oxidizing autotrophic denitrifying bacteria, significantly reduced (P < 0.05) with the addition of organic carbon, while the links of the heterotrophic bacteria Geobacter significantly increased (P < 0.05). This study provided new insights into our understanding of the shifts in the bacteria community and their microbial interactions under different nutrient conditions (SAD and SMD) in sulfur-supported denitrification system. Image 1 • The removal efficiency of TN increased from 70% (SAD) to 97% (SMD). • Organic carbon altered the diversity and the structure of bacterial community. • Organic carbon increased the microbial interaction complexity of Proteobacteria. • Thiobacillus links reduced while Geobacter links increased from SAD to SMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland ecosystems are sensitive to invasions by plants from other functional groups which can alter soil greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes. However, the effects of plant invasion on net GHG exchanges between soils and the atmosphere, plant production, and global warming potential (GWP) of annual grasslands is poorly understood. To evaluate the impacts of perennial forb invasions on GHG budgets of an annual grassland in China, we measured soil carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) fluxes over two years in replicated invaded (dominated by Alternanthera philoxeroides or Solidago canadensis ) and non-invaded (dominated by the annual grass Eragrostis pilosa or the annual forb Sesbania cannabina ) field sites. On average, soil CO 2 and N 2 O emissions from invaded sites were 30% and 76% higher, respectively, relative to sites dominated by native species. Emissions of N 2 O and CO 2 were especially high in Solidago and Alternanthera dominated sites, respectively. Soil CH 4 emissions did not vary with plant species. On average, total biomass C of invaded sites was higher than that of the native dominated sites but this reflected the high C in Solidago dominated sites. Global warming potential (GWP) was increased by Alternanthera invasions and decreased by Solidago invasions. Plant invasions affected GWP of these annual grasslands through higher emissions of some GHGs but also sometimes higher biomass C. Together, this suggests that perennial forb invasions could change the net source or sink role of annual grasslands for GHG budgets, but the effects on GWP vary among species depending on GHG responses and C storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The 20th week gestational age (GA) is at mid-gestation and corresponds to the age at which the termination of pregnancy in several countries and the first Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be performed, and at which the premature babies may survive. However, at present, very little is known about the exact anatomical character at this GA. Objective: To delineate the developing fetal brain of 20 weeks GA and obtain the three dimensional visualization model. Materials and methods: 20 fetal specimens were scanned by 3.0T and 7.0T post-mortem MRI, and the three dimensional visualization model was obtained with Amira 4.1. Results: Most of the sulci or their anlage, except the postcentral sulcus and intraparietal sulcus, were present. The laminar organization, described as layers with different signal intensities, was most clearly distinguished at the parieto-occipital lobe and peripheral regions of the hippocampus. The basal nuclei could be clearly visualized, and the brain stem and cerebellum had formed their common shape. On the visualization model, the shape and relative relationship of the structures could be appropriately delineated. The ranges of normal values of the brain structures were obtained, but no sexual dimorphisms or cerebral asymmetries were found. Conclusions: The developing fetal brain of 20 weeks GA can be clearly delineated on 3.0T and 7.0T post-mortem MRIs, and the three dimensional visualization model supplies great help in precise cognition of the immature brain. These results may have positive influences on the evaluation of the fetal brain in the uterus. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Livestock manure contributes to global warming due to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and methane (CH 4). In the arid and semi-arid lands of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), extensive pastoral grazing systems are common, with cattle grazing in the savanna during the day and kept in enclosures (called bomas in Kenya) during the night. Manure is usually not removed from bomas but left to accumulate, leading to excessive local nitrogen loads, making these bomas an overlooked N 2 O emission hotspot in SSA that is currently not accounted for in national and regional GHG budgets. Here, we present the first in-situ isotope measurements of N 2 O fluxes from 37 cattle bomas along an age gradient ranging from 0 to 5 years after boma abandonment in Kenya along with functional gene analysis of soil and manure samples. The isotopic composition of the emitted N 2 O from bomas suggests that on average 91 ± 8% N 2 O was produced via bacterial denitrification and/or nitrifier denitrification, with little variation across boma age class. We also found high levels of N 2 O reduction to N 2 across all sample sites (81 ± 9%), indicating high levels of N 2 O consumption. The abundances of denitrification-related genes (nirK and narG) were significantly higher than those of nitrification-related genes (amoA : AOA and AOB) in the cattle manure samples taken from the bomas, corroborating N 2 O emissions largely being attributed to denitrification. Significant abundance of the reduction-related gene (nosZ) also corroborated the high potential for microbial N 2 O reduction in bomas. Thus, by combining dual-isotope and functional gene analysis, we were able to identify source processes that govern N 2 O emissions from these systems. More generally, making use of the manure by spreading it in the vicinity of the bomas or on dedicated forage plots could provide a win-win by enhancing savanna productivity while simultaneously mitigating GHG emissions. • Natural abundance dual-isotope measurements were combined with functional gene analyses to explore processes of N 2 O formation in cattle bomas. • Denitrification dominated N 2 O emissions in cattle bomas. • Higher abundance of denitrification-related genes (nirK and narG) than nitrification-related genes (amoA) were observed in cattle bomas. • A high reduction (81% ± 9%) of N 2 O to N 2 was observed in cattle bomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grafting flame retardant groups onto common polymer molecule can be a good strategy to constructing superior flame retardant macromolecules, which provides a promising direction to fabricate fire safety polymer materials with satisfied comprehensive mechanical properties. In this thesis, a rubber-based phosphaphenanthrene grafted polymeric molecule (P-SBS) was synthesized via the grafting reaction of 9, 10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) with thermoplastic styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS), and then applied to melt blending with polycarbonate (PC) to form P-SBS/PC blend with sea-island structure. The incorporated P-SBS not only brought PC much higher comprehensive flame retardancy, including higher limited oxygen index, shorter self-extinguishing time, less heat release during burning process, higher-quality char layer structure, and fewer amount of flammable volatile emission; but also endowed it with more satisfied comprehensive mechanical properties, including larger elongation at break, better anti-impact, higher flexural strength, and maintained tensile strength. By analysing burning residue, tracking thermal decomposition volatile emission, and inferring the pyrolysis route of P-SBS, the gas- and condensed-phase flame retardant mechanisms of P-SBS in suppressing the flammability of PC matrix were disclosed. The morphology analysis on the matrix fracture section and the embeded P-SBS particles before and after mechanical fracture, revealed the behavioral mechanism of P-SBS particles in improving the ductility, toughness, and stiffness of PC matrix. This study provides a beneficial reference to superior flame retardant molecule constructing and advanced flame retardant polymer material manufacturing. [Display omitted] • Rubber-based phosphaphenanthrene grafted polymer P-SBS. • P-SBS significantly improved the comprehensive flame retardancy of PC. • Plastic deformable P-SBS improved the ductility, toughness, and rigidity of PC. • Mechanisms of P-SBS in combustibility inhibition and mechanical enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• FCCR is employed as raw materials for the synthesis of mordenite molecular sieve. • Species evolution of RCCR in alkaline fusion activation is investigated. • A rapid synthesis without organic fillers is proposed. Considering the complex elemental and phase compositions, it is a challenge to realize the high value utilization of solid residues in the preparation unit of fluid catalytic cracking catalysts (i.e., FCCR). The current research proposes a disposal approach of FCCR by a direct transformation from FCCR to mordenite molecular sieves. Species evaluation of FCCR in alkaline fusion activation is investigated. Ageing temperature/ duration, crystalline temperature/ duration, amount of water and silica sol are systematically optimized. Obtained mordenite molecular sieves are pure and highly crystallized. When employed as catalysts for the isomerization of α -pinene, as-synthesized mordenite molecular sieves have a comparable performance with commercial ones due to the low diffusion resistance of hierarchical pore structure. These researches are important as a reference for the utilization of FCCR in the field of zeolitic synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Biochar amendment reduced annual emission factor of N fertilizer for N 2 O + NO. • The ratio of NO-N/N 2 O-N was negatively correlated with soil water content. • Biochar enhanced the negative response of NO-N/N 2 O-N ratio to soil moisture. • Biochar rate of 20 t ha−1 gained the lowest N 2 O and NO emissions. Abstract Biochar impact on soil nitrous oxide (N 2 O) and nitric oxide (NO) emissions from intensive greenhouse vegetable cropping systems is not well established. Annual soil N 2 O and NO emissions were simultaneously measured from a typical greenhouse vegetable field treated with different biochar application rates in southeast China. Both N 2 O and NO emissions differed greatly across the individual vegetable cropping seasons, of which being higher in green soybean and tomato growing seasons, respectively. Over the annual vegetable cropping rotation, biochar amendment decreased soil N 2 O and NO emissions by 10–23% and 18–19% relative to N fertilization alone, respectively. Biochar rate of 20 t ha−1 gained the lowest N 2 O and NO emissions over the annual cycle. The ratio of NO/N 2 O was negatively correlated with soil moisture and depends on biochar addition or not. On average, annual emission factor (EF) of N 2 O and NO combined was accounted for 2.13% with biochar amendment, which was decreased by 22% compared with N fertilization alone (EF = 2.74%). Vegetable yield was significantly enhanced under the biochar combined with N fertilizer plots relative to control, while there is no difference among the N fertilization treatments with or without biochar amendment. Therefore, biochar could be used as an effective management mitigating soil N 2 O and NO emissions while maintaining crop yield in greenhouse vegetable cropping systems in southeast China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elevated mercury concentrations in wheat grains pose a potential health risk to human. In this study, we selected two low-mercury-accumulating wheat cultivars (Nongda-3163, Gaocheng-8901) and two high-mercury-accumulating wheat cultivars (Jimai-21, Taishan-21) to investigate the role of rhizospheric organic acids and microorganisms in mercury accumulation and translocation to different wheat plants. The wheat grew in greenhouse with three levels of mercury treatment: control (no added mercury), low treatment (1 mg kg −1 total mercury) and high treatment (5 mg kg −1 total mercury). Under low mercury treatment condition, Jimai-21 and Taishan 21 had significantly higher mercury concentrations in roots and secreted higher amounts of oxalic acid and citric acid in the rhizosphere soil than Nongda-3163 and Gaocheng-8901. Meanwhile, abundances of gram positive bacteria, gram negative bacteria and fungi in the rhizosphere soil of Jimai-21 were significantly higher than those of Nongda-3163 and Gaocheng-8901, while abundance of protozoa in the rhizosphere soil of Jimai-21 was significantly lower than those of Gaocheng-8901. These facts may lead to higher mercury concentrations in grains of Jimai-21 and Taishan-21 than those of Nongda-3163 and Gaocheng-8901. In the current study, the oxalic acid had the largest contribution on mercury accumulation and translocation ( p  = .002), followed by citric acid ( p  = .002) and protozoa ( p  = .038) under low mercury treatment condition. Under high mercury treatment condition, Jimai-21 and Taishan-21 had significantly higher translocation factors from roots to leaves, glumes and grains than Nongda-3163 and Gaocheng-8901, and the significant contribution sequentially were citric acid ( p  = .002), fungi ( p  = .02) and gram positive bacteria ( p  = .018). Improving the beneficial relationship among rhizospheric organic acids, microorganisms and wheat cultivars was a realizable strategy to ensure wheat safety for mercury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and rising temperature can alter soil methane (CH 4 ) fluxes, leading to a feedback to climate change. However, predicting this feedback needs to understand the microbial mechanisms involved in CH 4 emissions driven by climate change. A 3-year field measurement of CH 4 fluxes from rice paddies was taken in 2012–2014 to examine their responses to elevated CO 2 (enriched up to 500 μmol mol −1 ) and rising canopy air temperature (above ambient 1.5–2.0 °C) using a free-air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) system. Using real-time PCR and Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, we measured the abundance and composition of methanogenic community in rhizosphere soil of rice paddies in 2014. Elevated CO 2 and rising temperature showed additive effects on CH 4 fluxes and methanogen abundances, where CH 4 fluxes were correlated with methanogen abundances. Elevated CO 2 , rising temperature and their combination increased seasonal CH 4 emissions by 28–120%, 38–74% and 82–143%, respectively. Either elevated CO 2 or rising temperature did not significantly alter the diversity of methanogenic community, and methanogenic genera Methanosaeta , Methanosarcina , Methanobacterium , Methanocella and Methanoregula dominated in rhizosphere soils for all treatments. However, elevated CO 2 induced a shift from acetoclastic to hydrogenotrophic methanogens in their relative abundances. Rising temperature stimulated CH 4 emissions by increasing CH 4 production per individual predominant methanogen genus. Besides the enhancement of soil C substrates and rhizosphere methanogen abundances as previously reported, an additive effect of elevated CO 2 and canopy warming on CH 4 emissions is also associated with elevated CO 2 -induced changes in the composition of methanogenic archaea and warming-stimulated the activity of methanogenic archaea in rice paddies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inland aquaculture ponds have been documented as important sources of atmospheric methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O), while their regional or global source strength remains unclear due to lack of direct flux measurements by covering more typical habitat-specific aquaculture environments. In this study, we compared the CH 4 and N 2 O fluxes from rice paddies and nearby inland fish aquaculture wetlands that were converted from rice paddies in southeast China. Both CH 4 and N 2 O fluxes were positively related to water temperature and sediment dissolved organic carbon, but negatively related to water dissolved oxygen concentration. More robust response of N 2 O fluxes to water mineral N was observed than to sediment mineral N. Annual CH 4 and N 2 O fluxes from inland fish aquaculture averaged 0.51 mg m −2 h −1 and 54.78 μg m −2 h −1 , amounting to 42.31 kg CH 4 ha −1 and 2.99 kg N 2 O-N ha −1 , respectively. The conversion of rice paddies to conventional fish aquaculture significantly reduced CH 4 and N 2 O emissions by 23% and 66%, respectively. The emission factor for N 2 O was estimated to be 0.46% of total N input in the feed or 1.23 g N 2 O-N kg −1 aquaculture production. The estimate of sustained-flux global warming potential of annual CH 4 and N 2 O emissions and the net economic profit suggested that such conversion of rice paddies to inland fish aquaculture would help to reconcile the dilemma for simultaneously achieving both low climatic impacts and high economic benefits in China. More solid direct field measurements from inland aquaculture are in urgent need to direct the overall budget of national or global CH 4 and N 2 O fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice paddies and rivers draining agricultural watersheds have been documented as two major sources of atmospheric methane (CH 4), while parallel flux measurements have been rarely taken on CH 4 from rice paddies against the drainage rivers in agricultural watersheds. Moreover, the drainage events during the rice growing season deliver sufficient organic and inorganic nutrients to rivers, which makes there an increasing concerned source of atmospheric CH 4. Here, we compared CH 4 emissions from rice paddies and the associated rivers draining agricultural watersheds by a parallel field experiment in southeast China. Over the whole rice–growing season (June–November), CH 4 fluxes from drainage rivers averaged 25 mg m–2 h–1, which were 82 % higher than those from rice paddies (13.7 mg m–2 h–1). Besides the dependence of riverine CH 4 fluxes on water dissolved oxygen (DO), both ecosystem CH 4 fluxes were significantly correlated with water/soil dissolved organic carbon (DOC), oxidation-reduction potential (Eh) and the microbial functional genes that drive CH 4 production or uptake [methanogens (mcrA and methanogenic archaeal 16S rRNA) and methanotrophs (pmoA)]. Our results highlighted that the CH 4 mitigation potential benefited from the drainage practice in rice paddies might have been totally offset by its induced increases in CH 4 emissions from rivers draining agricultural watersheds at the regional scale. ● Rivers draining agricultural watersheds are an important source of atmospheric CH 4. ● CH 4 fluxes from drainage rivers have been rarely related to the abundance of microbes. ● CH 4 fluxes from drainage rivers were 82 % greater than those from rice paddies. ● The increase in CH 4 emissions in rivers may offset the mitigation benefit of CH 4 in rice paddies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which possesses the largest surface area of mucosa in the body, is easily suffered from inflammatory damages under the exposure of external stimulations. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and continuous oxidative stress in intestines can elicit local mucosal injury, accelerate mucosal ulceration, and amplify the inflammatory response. Thereby, antioxidant therapy is a potential strategy against intestinal inflammatory diseases. Herein, we demonstrate the gram-scale preparation of quercetin supramolecular nanoribbons (SNRs) by using free quercetin molecules as the sole building block for preventing and treating intestinal inflammatory diseases. Unlike current clinical medicines, which mainly confront with poor response and severe adverse effects via bloodstream delivery, our quercetin SNRs possess an excellent antioxidant activity in the harsh environments of GI tract, a relative long retention time in GI tract, an admirable metabolism in GI tract without burdening other organs, and a specific adhesion to the inflamed intestinal epithelium via electrostatic interactions. These advantages strongly guarantee the applications of quercetin SNRs as oral medicines for intestinal inflammatory diseases. After establishing the models of intestinal inflammatory diseases caused by irradiation and drug stimulations, our quercetin SNRs exhibit the promising protective and therapeutic effects for radiation-induced acute enteritis and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute colitis. Because the super easy and fast preparation procedure and the nearly 100% loading capacity of quercetin SNRs, the current work provides a supramolecular nanomedicine with great clinical translation potential against intestinal inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanodevices for multimodal tumor theranostics have shown great potentials for noninvasive tumor diagnosis and therapy, but the libraries of multimodal theranostic building blocks should be further stretched. In this work, Cu(II) ions are doped into polyaniline (Pani) nanoshuttles (NSs) to produce Cu-doped Pani (CuPani) NSs, which are demonstrated as new multimodal building blocks to perform tumor theranostics. The CuPani NSs are capable of shortening the longitudinal relaxation (T 1 ) of protons under magnetic fields and can help light up tumors in T 1 -weighted magnetic resonance imaging. In addition, the released Cu(II) ions from CuPani NSs lead to cytotoxicity, showing the behavior of chemotherapeutic agent. The good photothermal performance of CuPani NSs also makes them as photothermal agents to perform thermochemotherapy. By combining near-infrared laser irradiation, a complete tumor ablation is achieved and no tumor recurrence is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efforts to advance our knowledge on the potential of bioenergy instead of fossil fuels in terms of mitigating climatic impact are in urgent need. No data is currently available on the use of urease and nitrification inhibitors in costal saline bioenergy cropping systems. An overall accounting of net greenhouse gas balance (NGHGB) and greenhouse gas intensity (GHGI) affected by combined effects of urease inhibitor hydroquinone (HQ) and nitrification inhibitor dicyandiamide (DCD) amendment was examined in a coastal saline Jerusalem artichoke bioenergy cropping system. The net ecosystem exchange of CO 2 (NEE) was determined by the difference between soil heterotrophic respiration ( R H ) and net primary production (NPP) using static chamber method. Urease and nitrification inhibitors amendment increased the NPP but exerted a suppression effect on soil R H over the Jerusalem artichoke cropping system. A trade-off relationship was observed by decreasing soil N 2 O but stimulating soil CH 4 emissions following HQ+DCD amendment. The plots combined urea with HQ+DCD application increased soil CH 4 by 167% while decreased N 2 O by 16% as compared to with urea only in the bioenergy cropping system. On average, the fertilizer N-induced emission factor of N 2 O was estimated to be 0.25% across the fertilized plots. Compared with urea, the plots with urea and HQ+DCD resulted in a further decrease by 37% and 15% in estimated NGHGB and GHGI over the Jerusalem artichoke cropping system, respectively. Overall, Jerusalem artichoke production would achieve higher biomass as source of biofuels but lower climatic impacts, particularly when together with urease and nitrification inhibitors amendment in coastal saline soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshwater aquaculture ponds constitute one of the important anthropogenic sources of atmospheric methane (CH 4). Nevertheless, estimates of global CH 4 emissions from freshwater aquaculture have large uncertainties due to a lack of data from different aquaculture types. Furthermore, despite that ebullition is a major pathway of CH 4 in aquatic systems, the quantification of ebullitive CH 4 fluxes from typical freshwater aquaculture ponds has been poorly represented. Here, field measurements of CH 4 fluxes over two years were taken to quantify ebullitive CH 4 fluxes from inland freshwater fish and crab aquaculture ponds in subtropical China. Ebullitive CH 4 fluxes averaged 15.97 ± 1.57 and 11.22 ± 1.26 mg m−2 d−1 in the fish and crab ponds in the first experimental year, respectively, and were 22.86 ± 2.30 and 21.95 ± 2.19 mg m−2 d−1 in the second year. During aquaculture period, ebullition dominated the emission pathways of CH 4 , accounting for 83% and 98% of the total CH 4 emissions in the fish and crab ponds, respectively. Ebullitive CH 4 fluxes exhibited considerable spatial variations, with the lowest flux rates captured at the aeration area due to aerator-use in both the fish and crab ponds. Dissolved oxygen and dissolved organic carbon were the two primary factors that drove ebullitive CH 4 fluxes in both aquaculture ponds. By incorporating global measurement data, we further assessed the CH 4 mitigation potential of aerator use in freshwater aquaculture and revealed the dominant role of ebullition in this mitigation contribution. Together with the rice-based aquaculture, aerator use could reduce CH 4 emissions from freshwater aquaculture ponds globally by 71% and in China by 63%. • Ebullition dominates the pathways of CH 4 emissions from inland aquaculture. • Ebullitive CH 4 fluxes differ with bioturbation to sediment in aquaculture ponds. • Aerator use could reduce global inland aquaculture CH 4 emissions by 71%. • Specific area aerator use benefits the whole aquaculture pond CH 4 mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar amendment has been shown to reduce nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions from acidic soils in tea plantations. Given that both soil bacterial and fungal denitrifications can produce N 2 O, their relative contributions to the decrease in N 2 O emissions following biochar amendment remain unclear. Here, we examined soils sampled from a subtropical tea plantation that had received 2 years of biochar amendment. Measurements of the relative contributions of fungi and bacteria to N 2 O production were taken by the substrate-induced respiration method implemented with the addition of selective inhibitors. The abundances of total fungi, bacteria, and key N 2 O-related bacterial genes were quantified by q-PCR, and the composition of the fungal community was analyzed by 18S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The results showed that the contribution of fungi to N 2 O production (52%) was greater than that of bacteria (18%) for the N-applied acidic soils. Biochar amendment significantly decreased the fungal abundances and the fungal contribution to N 2 O production (by 28%). In contrast, biochar amendment significantly increased the abundances of N 2 O-related bacteria (e.g., ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nirS , nosZ). Structural equation models (SEMs) revealed that biochar decreased the fungal contribution to N 2 O production through enhancing the soil pH and shifting the fungal community composition. Our results highlight that the decreased N 2 O emissions could be ascribed to the stimulated N 2 O consumption process (driven by N 2 O-consuming bacteria encoded by the nosZ gene) and suppressed fungal dominance in acidic soils from tea plantations. This study presents relatively comprehensive insights into the regulatory roles of biochar on soil microbe-mediated N 2 O production processes. • Fungi played a more important role than bacteria in N 2 O production from acidic soils. • Biochar shifted the fungal community on genus level from acidic soils. • Biochar decreased the fungal contribution to N 2 O production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]