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Biomass aerogels are a promising kind of environment-friendly thermal insulation material. However, the flammability, poor water resistance, and thermal instability of biomass aerogels limit their applications. Herein, freeze-drying and thermal imidization were used to create konjac glucomannan (KGM), boron nitride (BN), and polyimide (PI)-based aerogels with a semi-interpenetrating network structure. The introduction of BN was beneficial to improve the mechanical properties and thermal stability of aerogels. The imidization process of PI improved the hydrophobicity, mechanical property, and flame retardancy of the aerogels. The synergistic effect of PI and BN reduced the peak heat release rate and total heat release rate of KGM-based aerogel by 55.8 % and 35 %, respectively, and endowed aerogel with good self-extinguishing performance. Moreover, the results of thermal conductivity and infrared thermal imaging demonstrated that the aerogels had excellent thermal insulation properties, and could effectively manage thermal energy over a wide range of temperatures. This study provides a simple method for the preparation of heat-insulating aerogel with high fire safety, which has broad application prospects in the field of energy saving and emission reduction. • Aerogels with semi-interpenetrating network structure were designed by freeze-drying. • Aerogels had the advantages of low density, high porosity, hydrophobicity and excellent mechanical strength. • The synergistic effect of PI and BN endowed the aerogels with good flame retardancy. • Aerogels could effectively manage thermal energy over a wide temperature range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the semi-arid Horqin Sandy Land of northern China, Caragana microphylla , a leguminous shrub, is the dominant plant species widely used in re-vegetation efforts aimed at stabilization of mobile sandy lands. However, the effect of rainfall characteristics on soil water dynamics and deep percolation in C. microphylla shrublands are not well understood. The objective of this study was to examine the responses of volumetric water content (VWC) and deep percolation under the root zone of C. microphylla to different rainfall characteristics. An underground chamber with 23 concrete basins (200 × 200 × 230 cm 3 ) was constructed to conduct this experiment during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2013. For this study, three of the basins were filled with sandy soil taken from the C. microphylla shrublands near to the station (about 200 m) and one C. microphylla shrub was transplanted into each basin in 2009. The corresponding hourly rainfall data were obtained from an automated meteorological station. VWC was recorded hourly using MiniTrase Soil Moisture Monitoring System at 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, 80–100, 100–120, 120–140, and 140–160 cm soil depths. Deep percolating water was collected in the underground chamber and measured daily. Our results showed that rainfall amount, intensity, duration, and the duration of the dry interval were significantly correlated with VWC in different soil layers. The amount of deep percolation was significantly correlated with rainfall amounts and rainfall duration, but not with rainfall intensity and the duration of the dry interval. Average deep percolation in C. microphylla shrublands was 97.5, 114.3, 66.8, and 15.1 mm in 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively, and accounted for 62.79%, 49.41%, 27.96%, and 7.36% of rainfall during the growing season. The coefficient of deep percolation was significantly negatively associated with annual mean shrub cover and canopy size, but not with annual mean height of C. microphylla . Our results suggested that re-vegetation with C. microphylla in this region is likely to result in a reduction in potential groundwater recharge and decrease of soil water content relations with an increase in age of the shrub. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rainfall changes interacting with vegetation cover types affect deep percolation. • Deep percolation depends more on precipitation amount and duration than on intensity. • Deep percolation decreases with increased plant cover and total aboveground biomass. • Restoration with sand-stabilizing vegetation reduces deep percolation in sandy lands. Changes in precipitation patterns and vegetation variability generally affect deep percolation and increasingly limited groundwater resources in arid and semi-arid regions. However, the dynamics of deep percolation and its response to precipitation patterns after vegetation restoration in semi-arid sandy lands are not well understood. Thus, in this work, four typical geomorphologic landscapes with different vegetation types (M: mobile sandy land without vegetation; SH: semi-mobile sandy land with Caragana microphylla shrub but not herbaceous plants; SH&H: semi-fixed sandy land with C. microphylla shrub and herbaceous plants; H: fixed sandy land with herbaceous plants but not C. microphylla shrub) were simulated by an underground observation chamber to monitor daily variability in deep percolation, and characteristics of precipitation and vegetation growth were recorded during the growing seasons from 2010 to 2018. Our results showed that precipitation amount and duration were the most critical factors affecting deep percolation in M, H, SH and SH&H. The response of deep percolation to precipitation events in M was more sensitive than that in SH, H, and SH&H. The amount of deep percolation in M varied consistently with precipitation, and was significantly higher than that in SH, H and SH&H. Deep percolation had a weak negative correlation with species richness and mean height, and a strong negative correlation with mean plant cover and total aboveground biomass. Restoration of sand-stabilizing vegetation reduced deep percolation, and the reduction was greater in H than in SH. Average annual coefficients of deep percolation were 53.3 %, 9.9 %, 7.3 %, and 4.7 % in M, SH, H, and SH&H, respectively. Our results highlight that restoration of sand-stabilizing vegetation and subsequent increases in plant cover and aboveground biomass significantly reduce deep percolation and even groundwater recharge in semi-arid sandy lands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new donor–acceptor (D−A) copolymer (PIPY–DTBTA) containing 6,12-dihydro-diindeno[1,2-b;1′,2′-e]pyrazine donor and benzotriazole acceptor was synthesized and characterized for multifunctional applications in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), polymer solar cells (PSCs) and polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). The polymer exhibits high molecular weights, excellent film-forming ability, a deep HOMO energy level, and good solution processability. Solution-processed thin film OFETs based on this polymer revealed good p-type characteristic with a high hole mobility up to 0.0521cm2 V−1 s−1. Bulk-heterojunction PSCs comprising this polymer and PC61BM gave a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.77%. The single-layer PLEDs based on PIPY–DTBTA emitted a yellow–red light with a maximum brightness of 385cdm−2 at the turn-on voltage of 6V. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four novel D–π–A hydrazone dyes (HT, HM, HE, and HO) with an N, N-diphenylhydrazone moiety as the electron donor, different thiophene-derived π-conjugated bridges and a cyanoacrylic acid moiety as the electron acceptor have been designed and synthesized for the application in dye-sensitized solar cells. The influences of thiophene-derived bridges on the photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic performance of these hydrazone dyes were investigated. Results demonstrate that the introduction of 3,4-dialkyloxythiophene could red-shift the dye’s absorption spectrum due to the enhancement of the electron-donating ability of π-conjugated bridges. Importantly, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis reveal that 3,4-dialkyloxythiophene bridge could change the charge recombination resistance at the TiO2/dye/electrolyte interface and as a result to improve the open-circuit photovoltage. Among the four dyes, HO exhibits the maximum power conversion efficiency of 5.83% (V oc =0.65V, J sc =12.69mA/cm2, FF=0.707) under simulated AM 1.5 irradiation (100mW/cm2). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of novel D–π–A hydrazone dyes (HB, HP, HF and HT) containing an N,N-diphenylhydrazone donor and 2-cyanoacetic acid acceptor linked by a different aromatic bridge (benzene, pyrrole, furan, and thiophene) have been designed and synthesized to evaluate the aromatic bridge effects on the photophysical, electrochemical and the photovoltaic properties of the hydrazone-sensitized TiO2 solar cells. Each of the hydrazone-based dyes exhibited different adsorption behavior, frontier molecular orbitals, and photovoltaic performance depending on the identity of aromatic π-conjugated bridges. Specifically, HP-sensitized TiO2 solar cell showed an obviously higher photocurrent, photovoltage, and power conversion efficiency than other three dyes. We interpret that these results were stemmed from light-harvesting abilities, the charge recombination rate and electron lifetime of different aromatic bridges. Optical spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, density functional theory calculations, electrochemical impedance spectra, and photovoltaic measurements were employed to support our proposal. With the addition of 1mM chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) as the coadsorbent, a maximum power conversion efficiency of a DSSC based on HP was 7.74% (J sc =16.17mA/cm2, V oc =0.69V, FF=0.694) under simulated AM 1.5G solar irradiation (100mW/cm2). This work suggests that N,N-diphenylhydrazone and N-(2-ethylhexyl) substituted pyrrole moieties can be used as an alternative and effective donor and π-conjugated bridge, respectively, in the construction of efficient D–π–A organic dyes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We describe a full-field optical coherence tomography (OCT) system for extracting 2D cross-sectional images from a multiple-layer information carrier. A simple and practical method is used to remove the fringes in the extracted cross-sectional interference images. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, the inter-layer-modulation effect of 2D OCT is proposed and analyzed. The related algorithms for de-modulation and image enhancement are formulated. This system has the potential to be used for document security and object identification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tumor-activatable ultrasmall nanozyme generation is an unprecedented strategy to overcome intrinsically fatal defects of traditional reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based nanoagents for deep tumor penetration, including limited tissue-penetrating depth of external energy, heavy reliance on oxygen and nonspecific toxicity of therapeutic agents. Here, based on the cascade reaction between glucose oxidase (GOx) and ultrasmall peroxidase nanozyme embedded into acid-dissociable zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), such a tumor-activatable ultrasmall nanozyme generator is designed for enhanced penetration and deep catalytic therapy. With the aid of mildly acidic tumor microenvironment, the produced gluconic acid from intratumoral glucose can gradually induce the dissociation of ZIF-8 to release ultrasmall peroxidase nanozyme with significant intratumoral penetration. On the other hand, the generated hydrogen peroxide with relatively long-life can be subsequently catalyzed by penetrated peroxidase nanozyme into toxic hydroxyl radicals for deep catalytic therapy. In this way, the well-designed nanoplatform not only can greatly enhance tumor penetration but also directly induce exogenous ROS without oxygen participation and external energy input, thereby thoroughly avoiding the inactivation of traditional ROS-based nanoagents in the extremely hypoxic tumor center and finally resulting in remarkable deep catalytic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The desert steppe is an important component of arid and semiarid grassland, and plays a crucial role in livestock production. Livestock grazing is a key driver of grassland biodiversity, ecosystem functionality, and stability. However, the effects of grazing on temporal stability of the ecosystem across spatial scales in desert steppe remains unclear. Here, we conducted a five-year sheep grazing experiment encompassing three grazing intensities, namely no grazing (NG), medium grazing (MG), and heavy grazing (HG). This was undertaken at five different spatial scales of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 m2 in a desert steppe, northern China. We tested how grazing has impacted on species diversity, asynchrony, stability, and ecosystem stability across different spatial scales. We found that grazing did not alter the species diversity. However, there was a decrease in ecosystem stability and species asynchrony across spatial scales. MG increased the species stability across spatial scales, while it was reduced under HG. Species asynchrony and stability were negatively associated with diversity. They were positively related to ecosystem stability and formed a negative relationship between species diversity and ecosystem stability across spatial scales. Grazing weakened the negative influence of diversity on species asynchrony, and the insurance influence of asynchrony on ecosystem stability. This reduced the destabilizing effects of species diversity on temporal stability of the ecosystem across spatial scales. Structural equation modeling has shown that grazing indirectly decreased ecosystem stability only through reduction of species asynchrony and stability. This highlights the important regulatory functions of species asynchrony and stability with grazing across spatial scales in desert steppe. We suggest that biodiversity should be balanced against grazing intensity to achieve a high level of ecosystem function and stability with increasing spatial scales in arid grassland. • Grazing decreases ecosystem stability and species asynchrony. • Grazing induces a destabilizing influence of diversity in ecosystem stability. • Grazing impairs ecosystem stability by reducing species asynchrony and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ag/AgCl composite as an alternative visible-light photocatalyst has attracted extensive interests; however, the high charge carrier recombination rate and short-term photocatalytic durability limit their practical application. In the present work, TiO 2 hollow nanofibers (ELTiO 2 ) grafted Ag/AgCl is fabricated via electrospinning-precipitation method. Compared with Ag/AgCl and Ag/AgCl-SGTiO 2 (sol-gel synthetized TiO 2 ), 2.89 and 1.59-fold enhancement in the photodegradation rate toward MO is observed over Ag/AgCl-ELTiO 2 under visible light irradiation. The enhancement of photocatalytic activity is mainly attributed to the higher content of the exposed AgCl {1 1 1} facet, which is beneficial for the separation of photogenerated carriers and accounts for more active sites. Moreover, Ag/AgCl-ELTiO 2 shows better photostability than bare Ag/AgCl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to develop a novel organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterial from agricultural biomass waste for environmental applications. The sugarcane bagasse (SB) supported TiO 2 hybrids were firstly synthesized via a sol-gel method. A series of characterizations were carried out to reveal the structures and components of obtained hybrids. Due to organic-inorganic hybrid (OIH) effect and element doping, the SB-TiO 2 hybrid can expand its optical absorbance ranging from ultraviolet to visible light. The optimal hybrid catalyst prepared with SB doping amount of 2 g in 100 mL titanic gel and calcined at 200 °C was able to degradate 95.0% methyl orange (MO) in 5 h under visible light. This study will pave a new and facile pathway for novel visible light driven photocatalysts based on TiO 2 modified by agricultural biomass waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A facial way of value-added utilization of camellia seed powder. • 3D-printed scaffold based on camellia seed powder for adsorbing methylene blue. • The construction of porous structure to accelerate the adsorption efficiency. This paper proposes a strategy for improving the adsorption efficiency of methylene blue (MB) on 3D-printed camellia seed powder (CSP) scaffold. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was employed as a porogen for CSP blended with polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). The PLA/PBS/CSP/PVA composite scaffold was fabricated via 3D-printing technique. And the prepared scaffold was eroded by water for enhancing the porosity. The scaffold with and without water-erosion were characterized respectively, and their MB adsorption performances and mechanism were investigated. The porosity of PLA/PBS/CSP/PVA with water-erosion and PLA/PBS/CSP scaffolds are 48.37 % and 21.24 % respectively, and the corresponding removal efficiency of MB in 100 mg/L MB solution for 12 h are 89.84 % and 57.27 %, suggesting that the construction of porous obviously accelerates adsorption speed of MB on the scaffold. The MB adsorption process of the scaffold with water-erosion can be described by Pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption isotherms indicate that a monolayer adsorption is formed on the scaffold surface. The statistical physics monolayers models and experimental characterization were further employed to investigate the adsorption mechanism of MB molecules on scaffold. Moreover, the adsorption ratio of the scaffold with water-erosion remains 98.21 % at 7 runs of adsorption-desorption experiment, exhibiting a good reusability. These results will open a new understanding in the design and preparation of a new candidate for dye molecules removal with high efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) disintegration occurs during long-term operation, decreasing particle settling performance and deteriorating the pollutant removal effect. Therefore, this experiment proposes an electric field synergistic AGS construction to improve the strength of particles and the efficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The study revealed that under the influence of an electric field, iron ions dissolved from the iron electrode and phosphate formed mineral nuclei inside the particles, which effectively increased the average size of the particles and increased the protein content of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The experimental results demonstrated that including Fe–C electrodes in the electric field group increased the TN removal rate to 86.65%, surpassing the rates observed in the blank without an electric field and C–C electrode electric field groups by factors of 1.13 and 1.11, respectively. Under the electric field, AGS enriched some functional microorganisms for denitrogenation, thus improving total nitrogen removal efficiency. Furthermore, the phosphorus removal efficiency in the electric field group featuring Fe–C electrodes exhibited a notable enhancement, reaching 90.16%. This improvement was 1.71 and 1.62 times that of blank without an electric field and C–C electrode electric field groups, respectively. The phosphorus removal efficacy of electrode-released iron is distinct from that of exogenous ferrous sulfate, with the former demonstrating superior activity and pronounced phosphorus removal capabilities. Therefore, this study comprehensively revealed AGS construction mechanism and pollutant removal efficacy under the electric field's synergistic effect. [Display omitted] • Dissolved iron ions from the iron electrode form Ca 2 Fe 2 O 5 with phosphorus increasing the strength of AGS. • The electric field stimulated the secretion of EPS and accelerated the AGS granulation process. • The electric field enhances the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus by AGS. • The electric field enriched some bacteria with synchronous nitrification denitrification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study expression and localization of Smad4 protein, the common-medaitor Smad, which is one of intracellular signaling molecules of transforming growth factor-Β (TGF-&Beta) family, in rat testis during postnatal development. In this study, whole testes were collected from S.D rats aged 3 days, 7 days, 14 days and 28 days, and adult respectively. We examined the cellular localization and development change of Smad4 in rat testis by immunohistochemical ABC method with glucose oxides-DAB-nickel enchancement technique; the quantitative analysis of the immunostaining by the image analysis system; the Smads proteins coexistence in the adult rat testis by the double immune staining for CD14 — Smad4 and Smad2 — Smad4; the protein expression of Smad during rat testicular development by means of Western blots. The protein of Smad4 was present in rats from 3 days of age to adulthood, and the immunolocalization was exclusively localized to the cytoplasm of Leydig cells with negative nuclei in the interstitial tissue at any time point. No expression was detected in germ cells. The result of image and statistical analysis showed that generally, there was a tendency that the expression of Smad4 in the testes increased gradually with the rats developing maturation. Our data provide direct evidence for the molecular mechanism of TGF-Β action in rat testes during postnatal development and spermatogenesis of rats. Keywords: transforming growth factor, Smad4, testis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Electrospun nanofibers of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Lanthanum (Ш) chloride (LaCl3) composite were employed to prepare the LaOCl nanofibers by calcination. TG-DSC was used to investigate the thermal property of precursor, while FT-IR, XRD, FESEM and TPD were employed to characterize the derived LaOCl nanofibers. Results indicate that the addition of LaCl3 leads to the formation of fork segments in the structure of electrospun PVA/LaCl3 composite nanofibers, therefore, changing the decomposition behavior of the fibers. Pure LaOCl fibers with a diameter range of 90–220nm can be obtained by calcination of electrospun PVA/LaCl3 composite nanofibers at 700°C for 7h. The resultant LaOCl nanofibers show a good sensing behavior for CO2 gas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A series of nitropyridyl-based dichloropropene ethers were prepared and evaluated for their insecticidal activities against main lepidopteran pests such as M. separate , P. xylostella and P. litura. The compounds showed a broad-spectrum of remarkable insecticidal activities. Especially 4a (2,6-dichloro-4-(3,3-dichloroallyloxy)phenyl 3-[5-nitro-2-pyridyloxy]propyl ether) and 11a (2-(4-(3-(2,6-dichloro-4-((3,3-dichloroallyl)oxy)phenoxy)propoxy)phenoxy)-5-nitropyridine) displayed potent activities comparable to that of Pyridalyl, the only commercialized dichloropropene ether insecticide thus far. The structure-activity relationship was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Ion channels are transmembrane proteins ubiquitously expressed in all cells that control various ions (e.g. Na+, K+, Ca2+ and Cl- etc) crossing cellular plasma membrane, which play critical roles in physiological processes including regulating signal transduction, cell proliferation as well as excitatory cell excitation and conduction. Abnormal ion channel function is usually associated with dysfunctions and many diseases, such as neurodegenerative disorders, ophthalmic diseases, pulmonary diseases and even cancers. The precise regulation of ion channels not only helps to decipher physiological and pathological processes, but also is expected to become cutting-edge means for disease treatment. Recently, nanoparticles-mediated ion channel manipulation emerges as a highly promising way to meet the increasing requirements with respect to their simple, efficient, precise, spatiotemporally controllable and non-invasive regulation in biomedicine and other research frontiers. Thanks the advantages of their unique properties, nanoparticles can not only directly block the pore sites or kinetics of ion channels through their tiny size effect, and perturb active voltage-gated ion channel by their charged surface, but they can also act as antennas to conduct or enhance external physical stimuli to achieve spatiotemporal, precise and efficient regulation of various ion channel activities (e.g. light-, mechanical-, and temperature-gated ion channels etc). So far, nanoparticles-mediated ion channel regulation has shown potential prospects in many biomedical fields at the interfaces of neuro- and cardiovascular modulation, physiological function regeneration and tumor therapy et al. Towards such important fields, in this typical review, we specifically outline the latest studies of different types of ion channels and their activities relevant to the diseases. In addition, the different types of stimulation responsive nanoparticles, their interaction modes and targeting strategies towards the plasma membrane ion channels will be systematically summarized. More importantly, the ion channel regulatory methods mediated by functional nanoparticles and their bioapplications associated with physiological modulation and therapeutic development will be discussed. Last but not least, current challenges and future perspectives in this field will be covered as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present research, Fe-doped brushite bone cements were synthesized. The setting time, microstructure and antibacterial property of samples were investigated. The results showed that the setting time of cements was retarded to about 20 min and 123 min, respectively, as iron doping content increasing from 1 mol% to 5 mol% in β-TCP powder. Moreover, Fe-doped cements had much bigger crystal particles and calcium iron phosphate was identified in them. Furthermore, Fe-doped cements performed well in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and larger inhibition halo was obtained with more iron content. Nevertheless, the Fe-loaded cements were not so sensitive to Escherichia coli as to the other two bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel LaCoO 3 was obtained by SBA-15 assisted electrospinning combined with etching. • LaCoO 3 are confined in nanorods or scattered on mesopores/surface of SBA-15. • Deactivation by water vapor is reversible. • Reducibility, O ads /O latt , Co2+/Co3+, and exposed surface Co are important. A high surface area rhombohedral LaCoO 3 perovskite (ELS-JX) was synthesized by SBA-15 assisted electrospinning combined with NaOH etching technology, and investigated for total benzene oxidation. LaCoO 3 nanoparticles are confined in the self-assembled nanorods or scattered on the mesopores/surface of SBA-15, resulting in less aggregation of perovskite nanoparticles for ELS-JX. H 2 -TPR analysis and XPS measurements reveal that better low-temperature reducibility, higher O ads /O latt and Co2+/Co3+ as well as larger amounts of surface exposed Co species of ELS-JX considerably enhance its catalytic activity for total benzene oxidation compared to sol-gel (SG) and SBA-15 free electrospinning (EL) method synthesized LaCoO 3. Moreover, the results of O 2 -TPSR match well with the catalytic performances of SG, EL and ELS-JX. In addition, the presence of water vapor has a negative effect on benzene oxidation over the best performed ELS-JX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soil microbial community compositions were affected by fertilizers. • Fertilizer had greater impact on soil bacterial than on fungal community. • The fungal community was more stable than the bacterial community. • Main driving indicator of microbiota was soil pH. • Chemical fertilizer plus manure was best in structuring bacterial communities. Soil microorganisms play an important role in the energy flow and nutrient cycling between soil and plants, but the impact of fertilizers on soil bacterial and fungal communities in sandy agroecosystems remains uncertain. We hypothesized that fertilizers affect soil microbial communities through soil properties and plant leaf C:N:P stoichiometry. To test this hypothesis in a sandy farmland ecosystem on the Mongolian Plateau, soil microbial diversity and composition, soil properties and plant leaf C:N:P stoichiometry were examined following 4 years of one of six fertilizer treatments (no fertilizer; returning straw; chemical fertilizer; manure; half quantity of chemical fertilizer and manure; and half quantity of chemical fertilizer). The soil bacterial Shannon index was lowest with chemical fertilizer and half quantity of chemical fertilizer, while fungal Chao richness and phylogenetic diversity (PD) index were lowest with chemical fertilizer. However, chemical fertilizer combined with manure increased the soil bacterial Shannon and PD indices, while manure alone improved fungal Chao richness and the PD index. Fertilizers had a greater impact on the soil bacterial community than on the fungal community and the fungal community was more stable than the bacterial community. Based on redundancy analysis (RDA), total soil carbon, soil nitrogen, leaf carbon, leaf N:P, pH and 16S rRNA gene copy numbers affected the soil microbial community. Structural equation models (SEM) demonstrated that soil pH was a strong driving indicator of soil microbial community under fertilization in a sandy farmland ecosystem. Chemical fertilizer combined with manure out-performed other fertilizers in structuring soil bacterial communities, while chemical fertilizer alone was the worst in maintaining soil microbial communities. Results from this study provide a basis for fertilization management strategies in maintaining below-ground microbial diversity and in ensuring sustainable land development of sandy agroecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sr 1.36 Sb 2 O 6 nano-octahedrons were successfully prepared via a facile hydrothermal method from Sb 2 O 5 . The as-prepared Sr 1.36 Sb 2 O 6 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Acidity of the precursor mixture had a positive effect on crystallization of Sr 1.36 Sb 2 O 6 . RuO 2 -loaded Sr 1.36 Sb 2 O 6 showed photocatalytic activity for overall water splitting without adding hole scavengers to produce H 2 and O 2 under Xenon lamp irradiation. Sr 1.36 Sb 2 O 6 prepared at low pH exhibited superior photocatalytic activity possibly due to its high degree of crystallization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: PVC-based carbon nanofibers with graphitic nanoparticles were fabricated by an electrospinning–carbonization technique and characterized by SEM, (HR)TEM and XRD. The hydrogen storage capability of the resultant nanofibers was evaluated using the volumetric method. The results show that the PVC-based carbon nanofibers obtained from the electrospun PVC/NiCl2 nanofibers consist of both amorphous carbon and a well-grown graphite layered sphere with a diameter of 35nm. It is clear that the iodine treatment is essential for retaining a fibrous shape during the carbonization, and Ni is beneficial to the growth of graphitization at low temperatures. The hydrogen storage capacity of the PVC-based carbon nanofibers obtained at 1000°C is 0.30wt%, suggesting that the resultant nanofibers are a potential energy storage material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Valence electron structure and cohesive energy of OH cleavage process were obtained. • Transition metals are robust electron donors for OH yield implying its ratio pivotal. • Excellent mineralization of AMTH was observed at all pH values after 8 h treatment. • Degradation pathways and intermediates of Amitriptyline were elaborated. This study proposes an efficient Layered Double Hydroxide-based (LDH-based) Heterogenous Electro Fenton (Hetero-EF) strategy that ensures the stable operation for representative antidepressants Amitriptyline Hydrochloride removal in a wide pH tolerance. The extra brilliant mineralization ability was over ∼ 90% after 5 cycles. Moreover, the detailed degradation pathways and intermediates of Amitriptyline Hydrochloride were firstly elucidated and probed using ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS). According to the Density Functional Theory and D-Band Center Theory, the subsequent computational simulation shed new light on the ability of LDH catalyzing for hydroxyl radical formation, the relevant role of transition metal atoms in LDH catalysts, and the electrons transfer process in the Hetero-EF reaction, i.e., LDH's metal atoms are robust electron donor sites for the generation of hydroxyl radical and charges transformation for the redox reaction, which highlights the importance of the transition metal elements in catalysts and exerts feasibility for enhancing the performance of Heterogeneous Electro-Fenton (Hetero-EF). Thereby, this research proposes a reliable strategy for building efficient Hetero-EF systems and gives a global contribution to developing the high-performance LDH EF-catalysts through the optimization of the metal atom ratio modification, synthesis parameters, and computational modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Porous nanocrystalline Ln2Ti2O7 (Ln=Nd, Gd, Er) was prepared by a facile self-propagating combustion method using metal nitrates (Ln(NO3)3 (Ln=Nd, Gd, Er), TiO(NO3)2) and glycine. The photocatalytic activity of Ln2Ti2O7 (Ln=Nd, Gd, Er) was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO). The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of Ln2Ti2O7 (Ln=Gd, Er) with cubic pyrochlore structure was higher than that of Nd2Ti2O7 with monoclinic perovskite structure and Gd2Ti2O7 showed the best photocatalytic activity. The different photocatalytic activities observed for Ln2Ti2O7 (Ln=Nd, Gd, Er) could be related to its different crystal structures and Ln 4f shells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Three D–A′–π–A structural triphenylamine dyes (Dye 1, Dye 2, and Dye 3) with cyanoacetic acid or malononitrile as an electron acceptor (A) and fluorenone or 9-(dicyanomethylene)fluorene as an additional acceptor (A′) have been designed and synthesized. Results revealed that both A and A′ have great influence on the optical, electrochemical and photovoltaic properties. In comparison with Dye 3, the photovoltaic performance of Dye 1 is remarkably improved by replacing 9-(dicyanomethylene)fluorene with fluorenone as the additional acceptor. The power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell based on the Dye 1 (5.33%) is four times higher than that of Dye 3 (1.25%). The low efficiency of cell based on Dye 3 is mainly because the delocalization of the excited state is broken between the strong electron-withdrawing additional acceptor (9-(dicyanomethylene)fluorene) unit and cyanoacetic acid, which affects the efficient electron injection from Dye 3 to the conduction band of TiO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plant litter derived from the living biomass is the primary source of soil carbon (C). However, the contribution and the mechanism of plant litter production to soil C remains uncertain in aeolian regions. In this study, the relationship between plant biomass, litter mass, and soil C content was analyzed after a spatial field investigation in Horqin sandy land, northeast China. Long-term monitoring of wind speed and plant litter production was also conducted in three habitats (mobile dune, semi-fixed dune, and fenced grassland). The soil C content was significantly affected by belowground biomass and belowground litter mass but not aboveground biomass and aboveground litter. The litter production in the desertified habitat (mobile dune and semi-fixed dune) significantly differed with that of the undesertified habitat (fixed dune and fenced grassland). In mobile dune, 38% of the aboveground primary production was lost, while there was a distinct enrichment of plant litter in semi-fixed dune and fenced grassland. Wind events (wind speeds of 7 and 8 m s−1) at the end of the growing season significantly affected litter production rate, and wind was a major driver for litter transportation between habitats. In summary, plant litter production can be affected by wind events, and this influence differs among habitats in degraded grassland, leading to spatial heterogeneity of soil C accumulation. These results can strengthen the understanding of the relationship between soil properties and plant litter production in aeolian regions and furthermore, can provide information for ecological restoration of different types of desertified land, especially for the soil C accumulation. Plant litter is the major source for soil organic matter accumulation. In degraded sandy grasslands in semi-arid regions, wind is a visible factor which transported the aboveground litter from regions with lower vegetation coverage (e.g. mobile dune or semi-fixed dune) to regions with higher vegetation coverage (e.g. fixed dune or fenced grassland), which means that, wind is the driving force for the source-sink relationships of plant litters. There remains no clear description of the influence of wind events on litter production and litter distribution. The contribution of plant litter production to soil C remains uncertain in aeolian regions. The schematic diagram strengthened the understanding of the relationship between soil properties and plant litter production, and providing important information for ecological restoration in semi-arid sandy grasslands. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: La(III)-doped ZnO/C nanofibers with core–shell structure were prepared by calcination of electrospun PAN(polyacrylonitrile)/La(NO3)3/Zn(Ac)2 composite nanofibers and characterized by XRD, FESEM, (HR)TEM, and EDS respectively. The photocatalytic activity of La(III)-doped ZnO/C nanofibers in the decomposition of RhB under UV–lamp light irradiation was also investigated. The results show that the prepared composite fibers possess a rough surface and flower-like morphology with diameters from 50 to 100nm and exhibit high photocatalytic activity in the decomposition of RhB solution. It is also found that the La(III) doping concentration plays an important role in photocatalytic performance during the degradation reaction of RhB. 2% La(III) is suggested to be the optimum doping dosage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Horqin Sandy Land is a seriously desertified and an ecologically fragile region of China. Soil degradation and desertification in this region are the result of several decades of overgrazing, non-manure cropping with short fallow, and arbitrary land use and management. We investigated whether the afforestation of active sand dunes with Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv.) enhances the carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) storages and the overall soil quality. We compared soil physico-chemical properties, and C and N storages in the total and light fraction soil organic matter of active sand dunes, and of 25- and 35-year-old plantations. Soil water holding capacity, fine particle content and nutrients were significantly higher in plantations than in active sand dunes, with greater improvements occurring in the top 5cm than in the 5–15cm layer of the soil profile. Soil C and total N storages were 6.1 and 3.7 folds in 25-year-old, and 10.2 and 5.3 folds in 35-year-old plantations compared to active sand dunes, respectively. Carbon and N storages in the light fraction were 20.9 and 15.8 folds in 25-year-old, and 36.1 and 25.0 folds in 35-year-old plantations, respectively, relative to active sand dunes. The light fraction played an important role in soil C sequestration and its amount is an indicator of the effects of afforestation on C storage in sandy soil. The upper 15cm of the soil profile in the 35-year-old plantations of Mongolian pine has the capacity to sequester significant amount of C in the region, potentially offsetting part of the carbon that has been lost due to desertification over the past century in the Horqin Sandy Land. Our results conclude that afforestation with Mongolian pine has had positive impacts on soil quality and has increased the capacity for soil C sequestration in semi-arid degraded areas. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: An electrospinning–calcination strategy was established to fabricate Y2O3 nanofibers doped with rare earth ions (Tb, Sm and Dy) using electrospun PVA/RE(NO3) x /Y(NO3)3 composite nanofibers as precursors (x=3.4). The prepared nanofibers were characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDS, (HR)TEM and PL analyses. Based on the experimental results, a solid–solid growth mechanism (SS) was proposed to describe the formation of inorganic crystalline fibers from organic/inorganic composite nanofibers by calcination. It was determined that carbonaceous nanoparticles that were formed in the process of pre-carbonization adsorbed Y2O3:RE nanoparticles to grow Y2O3:RE crystal, and the resultant nanofibers exhibited a typical crystalline domain with grain boundary. The obtained Y2O3:RE nanofibers possessed excellent luminescent characteristics and could be used as an appreciable luminescent material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ag/TiO2 nanofibers heterostructure were fabricated by calcination of electrospun PVP/Ti(OiPr)4/AgNO3 composite nanofibers and characterized by XRD, FESEM, EDS, and (HR)TEM. The photocatalytic activity of Ag/TiO2 in the decomposition of parathion was also investigated. It was found that the prepared heterostructure composite included Ag nanoparticles distributed uniformly in the TiO2 nanofibers. Comparing with pure TiO2 nanofibers and Ag nanofibers, Ag/TiO2 heterostructure photocatalyst exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity under ultraviolet light irradiation in the decomposition of parathion aqueous solution. The content of Ag nanoparticles on TiO2 nanofibers played an important role in photocatalytic performance during the parathion degradation reaction. 4% Ag was found to be the optimum doping dosage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives: To examine the expression of N-Myc downstream regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) in the cryptorchid testes and its potential association with germ cell apoptosis in a rat model of cryptorchidism. Methods: Groups of pubertal Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to surgical procedure for the induction of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. The weight of the abdominal and scrotal testes was measured and their apoptotic cells and NDRG2 expression were examined longitudinally by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analyses. The expression of NDRG2 and p53 in the purified germ cells and Leydig cells was determined by Western blot assay. Results: Compared with the control scrotal testes, the mean weights of the abdominal testes were significantly reduced at 7 and 14 days after surgery, accompanied by significantly increased numbers of apoptotic germ cells. Although the NDRG2 expression was detected in Leydig cells and spontaneous apoptotic germ cells in the scrotal testes, it was significantly upregulated predominately in apoptotic spermatocytes and round spermatids in the abdominal testes. However, the NDRG2 expression was downregulated in Leydig cells in the abdominal testes. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of NDRG2 and p53 was upregulated significantly in purified germ cells 7 days after surgery, whereas NDRG2 was downregulated in the purified Leydig cells from the abdominal testes 7 and 14 days after surgery. Conclusions: The upregulated expression of NDRG2 was associated with germ cell apoptosis in the cryptorchid testes, suggesting that the NDRG2 may be a positive regulator for germ cell apoptosis in rat cryptorchidism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Straw is the main resource of fuel for biomass power generation plants in China's agricultural areas. Field survey and emergy analysis were employed to investigate the operation situation of the straw collection, transportation and storage system based on the case of Laifa Straw Recycling Company. In the condition of collecting 2 × 108 kg of straw production, the emergy input of the artificial model of the company was 173.02 × 1018 sej, which was higher than the emergy input of the mechanical model, 148.11 × 1018 sej. According to the emergy indicator system, the mechanical model had a high development degree of internal resources and environment, high productivity, high sustainable development ability, but a lower proportion of renewable resource emergy input than the artificial model. The emergy value of 1 kg commercial straw calculated from the commercial price was 0.25 × 1012 sej, which was only one third of the average input of the company to produce 1 kg commercial straw (0.74 × 1012–0.87 × 1012 sej). It was difficult for straw recycling company to survive in the market due to the low price of the commercial straw. Therefore, the government was suggested to take effective economic policies to support local straw recycling enterprises. • According to the field survey and emergy analysis as the main research method. • In the given case, the theoretical prediction and actual calculation for the straw recycling system. • Constructed and analyzed the emergy indicator system of the straw recycling system. • The emergy input and output of the straw recycling company is not balanced. • The market price emergy of straw is too low and the value of straw itself is seriously underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study is the first to investigate Calebin-A, a natural compound present in Curcuma longa, which inhibits cell growth and induce apoptosis in SGC7901/VINCRISTINE cells, a multidrug resistant (MDR) human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line. Our data suggest the drug efflux function of P-glycoprotein was inhibited by Calebin-A treatment, while the expression level of P-glycoprotein was not affected. Additionally, co-treatment of Calebin-A and vincristine resulted in a remarkable reduction in S phase and G2/M phase arrest in SGC7901/VINCRISTINE cells. Calebin-A was also found to modulate the activities of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family members, which includes decreased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and increased protein kinase of 38 kDa (p38) activity. These results suggest that Calebin-A might be an effective compound for the treatment of human gastric and other MDR cancers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: N-Myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (ndrg1) is up-regulated in N-Myc knockout mouse embryos. The human NDRG family consists of 4 highly homologous members and human Ndrg1 exhibits approximately 94% homology with mouse ndrg1. However, the regulatory mechanism of NDRG1 via Myc repression is as yet unknown. We previously identified human NDRG2 and demonstrated that this gene is transcriptionally down-regulated by Myc via Miz-1-dependent interaction with the core promoter region of NDRG2. Here, we provide evidence that human NDRG1 is regulated by Myc in a manner similar to NDRG2. We found that Ndrg1 expression levels were enhanced as Myc expression declined in differentiated cells, but were down-regulated following Myc induction. The data revealed that both N-Myc and c-Myc can repress human NDRG1 at the transcriptional level. We further determined that the core promoter region of human NDRG1 is required for Myc repression, and verified the interaction of Myc with the core promoter region. However, the presence of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide could reverse the repression of Myc, indicating the indirect repression of human NDRG1 by Myc. Moreover, we found that c-Myc-mediated repression can be inhibited by TSA, an HDACs inhibitor, which suggests the involvement of HDACs in the repression process. Taken together, our results demonstrate that, in common with NDRG2, human NDRG1 can be indirectly transcriptionally down-regulated by Myc via interaction with the NDRG1 core promoter. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In order to improve disease-free survival and potentially a cure, it is necessary to identify more potent leukemia antigen. Here, we defined the acute monocytic leukemia-associated antigen (LAA) recognized by the humoral immune system for the first time. We have applied the method of serologic analysis of recombinant cDNA expression library (SEREX) on acute monocytic leukemia (FAB M5), followed by DNA sequencing and analyzing of positive clones. Then, the reactivity of normal and other leukemia sera with positive clones were performed. Thirty-five distinct novel antigens reactive with autologous IgG were identified by SEREX analysis on an acute monocytic leukemia patient and were characterized according to cDNA sequence and the reactivity with allogeneic sera. Twenty of the 35 antigens identified in this study were recognized by IgG antibodies in normal sera, and the remaining 15 were recognized exclusively by sera from allogeneic leukemia patients but not by normal donor sera, suggested that the immune response to these 15 antigens are leukemia related. The 15 immunogenic antigens detected by immune responses in the autologous host facilitate the identification of epitopes recognized by antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and are potential candidates for diagnosis and immunotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A one-dimensional (1D) core-shell of Co-Ce oxide has been prepared by multifluidic coaxial electrospinning method and evaluated for the total oxidation of propane (C 3 H 8). Activity and morphological characterizations show that the CeO 2 @Co 3 O 4 nanofiber catalyst, of which the core is CeO 2 and the shell is Co 3 O 4 , exhibits excellent oxidation activity. The exposed Co 3 O 4 grown on the outside of the fibers can rapidly react with C 3 H 8 while CeO 2 with high oxygen storage capacity in the inside is conductive to the enhanced oxidation rate. Besides, the continuous grain boundary provides a fast mass transfer channel for lattice oxygen, and rich oxygen vacancies favor the mobility of active oxygen species. In situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTs) confirms that the CeO 2 @Co 3 O 4 catalyst have a faster rate of C 3 H 8 adsorption and better oxidation activity with respect to the counterpart using a single-needle electrospinning method. Moreover, the CeO 2 @Co 3 O 4 catalyst displays excellent thermal stability, and strong resistance against 5 vol% H 2 O and 5 vol% CO 2 at both 300 and 400 °C. Our strategy can give some new insights into morphological engineering to promote active oxygen mobility via the construction of one-dimensional core-shell of metal oxides for catalytic oxidation of VOCs. ga1 • CeO 2 @Co 3 O 4 nanofibers were prepared by multifluidic coaxial electrospinning. • Co 3 O 4 shell rapidly reacts with C 3 H 8 while CeO 2 core enhances oxygen migration. • Continuous grain boundary provides a fast mass transfer channel for lattice oxygen. • Abundant oxygen vacancies favor the mobility of active lattice oxygen. • Superior oxidation activity, thermal stability and H 2 O/CO 2 resistance were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ecosystem carbon fluxes were affected by precipitation variation. • Drought weakened the capacity of the ecosystem carbon sink. • Drought decreased GEP, NEP and Reco. • Main driver factors of GEP and NEP were SWC, coverage and standing biomass. • Ecosystem was converted from carbon sink to carbon source with press-drought. Precipitation has an impact on both gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (Reco), which ultimately influences net ecosystem productivity (NEP). A positive NEP denotes an ecosystem functioning as a carbon sink; whereas, a negative NEP denotes an ecosystem functioning as a carbon source. Therefore, drought plays an important role in the carbon balance of an ecosystem. However, little is known about the point at which the ecosystem converts from a carbon sink to a carbon source in extreme droughts. Such knowledge is crucial for predicting terrestrial carbon cycling under climate change, and consequently, was the subject of this study. We imposed two types of drought treatments on desert-grassland: (1) press-drought, in which the quantity of natural precipitation was reduced by 66% from May to August; and (2) pulse-drought, in which the quantity of natural precipitation was reduced by 100% during June and July. Reco and NEP were measured and GEP was calculated and then regression analyses were employed to determine the point at which the carbon sink shifts to a carbon source. The regression equation of NEP (μmol·m−2·s−1) on Reco (μmol·m−2·s−1) took the form: NEP = 0.504 Reco – 0.086 and, consequently, when Reco equaled 0.171 μmol·m−2·s−1, there was zero change in the carbon sink and GEP also equaled 0.171 μmol·m−2·s−1. Below this value, the ecosystem functioned as a carbon source, whereas above this value, the ecosystem functioned as a carbon sink. Structural equation models (SEM) demonstrated that coverage, standing biomass, pH, soil water content and total soil carbon were the main driving factors on desert grassland ecosystem carbon fluxes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: LaOCl nanotubes were fabricated by calcination of the coaxial electrospun PVP/LaCl3@Oil composite nanofibers, in which oil is the core layer while PVP/LaCl3 forms the shell one respectively. A series of tests such as FTIR, XRD, FESEM, (HR)TEM, EDS, N2 adsorption–desorption and CO2-TPD were conducted to characterize the prepared nanomaterials. XRD and EDS results show that the resultant materials consist of pure tetragonal LaOCl, while FESEM and (HR)TEM images indicate that the materials are nanotubes with a rush surface. The inner diameter and the wall thickness of nanotubes are calculated to be around 200 and 50nm, respectively. The BET surface area of the obtained nanotubes is calculated to be 67.5m2/g. And CO2-TPD experiment shows that the nanotubes possess a high CO2 adsorptive capacity of 0.3352mL/g. It would be used as gas sensing materials. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]