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Understanding the differentiation of soil bacterial communities under precipitation and temperature gradients is crucial for assessing the impacts of environmental filters on ecosystem structure and function. Here we investigated spatial variations of bacterial communities along a precipitation and temperature transect in the eastern Inner Mongolia steppe, China. The aims are to understand the biogeographic pattern and key drivers shaping soil bacterial communities along the transect. Our results showed that the soil bacterial community along the 451-km transect exhibited the distance-decay relationship, decreasing in community similarity with geographic distance. Obvious changes in the bacterial community structure occurred at an annual precipitation from 215 to 261 mm, which was close to the boundary between arid and semi-arid systems. The relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Acidobacteria increased with precipitation, while those of Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Gemmatimonadetes decreased. Environmental filtering was observed to be the key in shaping bacterial biogeographic patterns, and climate conditions exert indirect effects on soil bacterial communities mainly through direct effects on soil properties. Soil pH and plant coverage were important to soil bacterial communities in both arid and semi-arid steppes. Our findings provided insights for understanding the linkages among geographic distance, environmental filters, and soil bacterial communities in Eurasian steppe ecosystems.

Increased risks of certain cancers have been observed in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, data on other cancer sites/types are lacking. We analyzed systematically the risk of developing 35 common cancers in patients with HCV infection using a nationwide Swedish database. Patients with HCV infection were identified from the Swedish Hospital Inpatient and Outpatient Register and Primary Health Care Database, and followed until the diagnosis of cancer. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated for subsequent 35 common cancer sites/types between 1990 and 2010 in patients with HCV infection in Sweden. Increased risks were recorded for six cancers. The highest SIR was seen for liver cancer (36.67; 95% CI: 33.20–40.40). The decreased risk was for prostate cancer (0.73; 95% CI: 0.59–0.90) and melanoma (0.50; 95% CI: 0.30–0.79). A significant sex‐difference for cancer was observed only for liver cancer (40.72; 95% CI: 36.36–45.45 for men and 27.21; 95% CI: 21.90–33.41 for women). Also, increased SIRs were noted only for liver cancer during the entire period of follow‐up. HCV infection was associated with an increased incidence of liver cancer and additionally five other types of cancer. Active surveillance of other cancers may be needed in order to be diagnosed at an earlier stage.

Horseweed (Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq.) with evolved herbicide resistance has become an especially problematic weed in crop production across the USA and on four continents (North America, South America, Asia, and Europe). Spread of herbicide resistance can occur through pollen-mediated gene flow between resistant and susceptible horseweed populations. However, there are little knowledge, preventive guidelines, and mechanism modeling for pollen transport in this system. We need to better understand pollen dispersion and deposition in the context of atmospheric conditions, herbicide-resistant horseweed patch size, and buffer crop type, height, and field size. A mechanistic model is needed to account for these. A pollen dispersion and deposition model was calibrated and validated using 2013 experimental field data. The validated model was run for various combinations of atmospheric conditions, horseweed characteristics (source strength), and buffer species and size (pollen can be intercepted by crop plants). Large fields with crops with a high leaf area density and tall plants can effectively prevent pollen dispersion. The information will help provide guidelines for preventing herbicide resistance spread from herbicide-resistant weeds and genetically modified plants in general.

Based on the research of soil erosion and soil and water conservation in karst areas in China in recent years, the status and progress of soil erosion and soil and water conservation in karst areas in China are discussed. The results show that the soil and water loss in the karst area mainly has two types of soil erosion: surface soil erosion and underground soil erosion. Soil and water loss management in karst areas mainly adopts measures to adjust land use structure, increase vegetation coverage, carry out slope-to-ladder construction, and promote clean energy applications. Different governance models should be adopted for different landform types, different landform parts, different slopes, and different levels of rocky desertification in karst areas.

Background: An outbreak of infectious 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia is taking place in China Meanwhile, the extra-respiratory transmissible route

Introduction: Central venous catheter insertion for long-term vascular access is not recommended in clinical practice. However, since arteriovenous fistula creation is difficult to perform in some patients, central venous catheter insertion for long-term vascular access is performed. This study aimed to assess the complications and service time of central venous catheters replaced using different methods and to determine the influencing factors of service time. Methods: Study design: A retrospective observational cohort study. Setting and participants: Patients who underwent tunneled dialysis catheter malfunction (2009–2019) and had to undergo another dialysis catheter insertion were enrolled. Exposures: Ectopic replacement and in situ replacement. Outcomes: Factors such as age, sex, primary patency rate, secondary patency rate, early complications, and late complications were considered. Analytical approach: This study used a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: The first and the newly replaced catheter service time were 37.779 ± 24.563 months and 32.468 ± 26.638 (25) months in the ectopic group and 37.075 ± 20.550 months and 26.349 ± 22.672 months in the in situ group, respectively. In the early service time, the newly replaced catheter resulted in significant bleeding from the tunnel. The first catheter had the least complications, most adequate blood flow, and longest service time. Ectopic catheter replacement and the tip shape of the catheter were the independent factors for catheter service time. Catheter service time increased with age. Conclusion: Ectopic catheter replacement can improve the primary patency rate and auxiliary primary patency rate of catheters. Ectopic catheter replacement may require sufficient surgical skills with digital subtraction angiography, resulting in a better prognosis.

Background The Valsalva maneuver (VM) is widely used in daily life, and has been reported to cause high intraocular pressure (IOP). This study aimed to assess changes in IOP, the Schlemm’s canal (SC), autonomic nervous system activity, and iridocorneal angle morphology in healthy individuals during different phases of the VM. Methods The high frequency (HF) of heart rate (HR) variability, the ratio of low frequency power (LF) and HF (LF/HF), heart rate (HR), IOP, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), the area of SC (SCAR), pupil diameter (PD), and some iridocorneal angle parameters (AOD500, ARA750, TIA500 and TISA500) were measured in 29 young healthy individuals at baseline, phase 2, and phase 4 of the VM. SBP and DBP were measured to calculate mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean ocular perfusion pressure (MOPP). HF and the LF/HF ratio were recorded using Kubios HR variability premium software to evaluate autonomic nervous system activity. The profiles of the anterior chamber were captured by a Spectralis optical coherence tomography device (anterior segment module). Results Compared with baseline values, in phase 2 of the VM, HR, LF/HF, IOP (15.1 ± 2.7 vs. 18.8 ± 3.5 mmHg, P 2, P = 0.039), and PD increased significantly, whereas MOPP, AOD500, TIA500, and TISA500 decreased significantly. In phase 4, DBP, MAP, AOD500, ARA750, TIA500and TISA500 were significantly lower than baseline value, while PD and HF were remarkably larger than baseline. The comparison between phase 2 and phase 4 showed that HR, IOP (18.8 ± 3.5 vs. 14.7 ± 2.9 mmHg, P Conclusions The expansion and collapse of the SC in different phases of the VM may arise from changes in autonomic nervous system activity. Further, the effects of the VM on IOP may be attributed to changes in blood flow and ocular anatomy. Trial registration This observational study was approved by the ethics committee of Tongji Hospital (Registration Number: ChiCTR-OON-16007850, Date: 01.28.2016).

Author(s): Banger, K; Nafziger, ED; Wang, J; Pittelkow, CM | Abstract: Core Ideas DSSAT was calibrated for simulating soil N concentration during the maize growing season. Two-step validation included research experiments and 49 commercial maize fields. Model performance was fair in predicting SOM mineralization and N management impacts. The model captured effects of early season rainfall on soil N variability across sites. Farmers have limited knowledge of inorganic soil nitrogen (N) concentration during maize (Zea mays L.) growth in the US Midwest, particularly after periods of wet spring weather. The objectives of this study were to calibrate the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model for predicting inorganic soil N concentration using data from three field experiments in Illinois, to evaluate model performance against three independent sites and additional data from 49 commercial maize fields, and to assess the impacts of rainfall variability on the predicted decrease in soil N concentration early in the growing season. Model calibration included adjustments to soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition parameters based on predicted soil organic carbon concentration (obtained from gSSURGO) and soil drainage rates. Model performance was considered “fair” in predicting SOM mineralization dynamics and the effects of fall vs. spring N fertilizer application across the validation datasets (normalized RMSE, 21.2–25.7%). The model also captured the variability in soil N concentration across 49 commercial fields (R2 = 0.68–0.88; slope, 0.99–1.24), with higher cumulative rainfall from January to July (g800 mm) reducing predicted soil N availability compared with fields receiving less rainfall (500–600 mm). Results suggest that DSSAT has the potential to estimate soil N availability across variable weather patterns, soil properties, and fertilizer management scenarios in Illinois. However, future work is needed to further improve model accuracy, especially if it is to be used as a decision support tool for farmers.

Aim: To measure changes in the sizes of Schlemm canal (SC) and trabecular meshwork (TM) in healthy individuals before and after topical application of 1% adrenaline at 15, 45, and 90 minutes using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT). Methods: Anterior chamber angle imaging of the nasal and temporal regions of the right eyes was performed with anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) before and after topical application of 1% adrenaline at 15, 45, and 90 minutes. The diameter and area of SC, width and thickness of TM, anterior chamber depth (ACD) and pupil diameter (PD) were measured with ASOCT images. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was also recorded simultaneously. Results: A total of 15 healthy individuals were enrolled and included 7 male subjects and 8 female subjects; Compared with the parameters before intervention, both the SC diameter and area in the 2 quadrants increased after the application of adrenaline at the 3 time points (P .05). Conclusion: Topical application of 1% adrenaline in eye led to decrease in IOP with the SC diameter and area as well as the TM width increased after medication. While the TM thickness, ACD, PD seemed to remain constant.

The factors controlling the reactivity and exo/endo selectivity of Diels–Alder reactions of geminal bis(silyl) dienes catalyzed by AlEt2Cl are studied at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)(SMD,CH2Cl2)/6-31++G**//B3L...

Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) are essential for ecosystem functioning, especially in drylands. However, we lack the knowledge of how ecosystem multifunctionality (EMF) responds to the development of biocrusts and the key factors mediating EMF during biocrust succession. In this study, we tested a series of essential ecosystem functions of the biocrust system and calculated a weighted EMF index, a processes-based EMFprocesses index, and a resource storage and availability based EMFpools index. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and ITS gene was used to test differences in the community compositions of 16S rRNA gene-based organisms and ITS gene-based fungi in different biocrust stages. Results showed that the changing patterns and driving factors of all the three multifunctionality indices were similar. Later developed biocrust stages exhibited higher values of all three EMF indices. The 16S rRNA gene-based diversity reduced with biocrust succession. Biodiversity-EMF relationships varied when considering different biocrust stages and organisms. Across all biocrust stages, significantly negative relationships existed between the EMF indices and 16S rRNA based α-diversity, whereas positive relationships occurred between the EMF indices and both 16S rRNA and ITS gene-based β-diversity. Further analyses indicated that the increasing relative abundance of non-cyanobacterial photosynthetic organisms (represented by chloroplast sequences and lichenized fungi) was the key predictor of all three EMF indices during biocrust succession. Specifically, these organisms were Streptophyta, Chlorophyta and Bacillariophyta and lichenized fungi, e.g., Verrucaria, Caloplaca and Aspicilia. This study provided a mechanistic understanding of how biological compositions and diversity drive EMF with biocrust development.

Freshwater nitrogen (N) pollution is a significant sustainability concern in agriculture. In the U.S. Midwest, large precipitation events during winter and spring are a major driver of N losses. Uncertainty about the fate of applied N early in the growing season can prompt farmers to make additional N applications, increasing the risk of environmental N losses. New tools are needed to provide real-time estimates of soil inorganic N status for corn (Zea mays L.) production, especially considering projected increases in precipitation and N losses due to climate change. In this study, we describe the initial stages of developing an online tool for tracking soil N, which included, (i) implementing a network of field trials to monitor changes in soil N concentration during the winter and early growing season, (ii) calibrating and validating a process-based model for soil and crop N cycling, and (iii) developing a user-friendly and publicly available online decision support tool that could potentially assist N fertilizer management. The online tool can estimate real-time soil N availability by simulating corn growth, crop N uptake, soil organic matter mineralization, and N losses from assimilated soil data (from USDA gSSURGO soil database), hourly weather data (from National Weather Service Real-Time Mesoscale Analysis), and user-entered crop management information that is readily available for farmers. The assimilated data have a resolution of 2.5 km. Given limitations in prediction accuracy, however, we acknowledge that further work is needed to improve model performance, which is also critical for enabling adoption by potential users, such as agricultural producers, fertilizer industry, and researchers. We discuss the strengths and limitations of attempting to provide rapid and cost-effective estimates of soil N availability to support in-season N management decisions, specifically related to the need for supplemental N application. If barriers to adoption are overcome to facilitate broader use by farmers, such tools could balance the need for ensuring sufficient soil N supply while decreasing the risk of N losses, and helping increase N use efficiency, reduce pollution, and increase profits.

The structure and electronic properties of metallic complexes formed by coordinating chiral N,N′-dioxide ligands with different amino acid skeletons or straight-chain alkyl spacers (linkage) to Mg2+ and Ca2+ are studied at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-311G**(SMD, CH2Cl2)//ONIOM (B3LYP/6-31G*: UFF) (SMD, CH2Cl2) level. The N-oxide unit in the ligand exhibits a stronger O-donor ability than the carbonyl of the amide in the formation of the chiral N,N′-dioxide–Mg(II) catalyst. Coordination of the chiral N,N′-dioxide ligand to the metal center forms a pocket-like chiral environment (“chiral pocket”), which can be characterized by four structural descriptors, which are the bite angle αO1–M–O2, the average M–O distance, the torsion angle θ2 (C1–O1⋯O2–C2) and the dihedral angle (DC1–N3–C7–C8 or DC2–N4–C9–C10). The Lewis acidity of the metal ion decreases when the number of –CH2 spacers between two N-oxide units increases from 1 to 5, which is attributed to increasing Pauli repulsion as well as deformation of fragments. The stereoselectivity of asymmetric carbonyl–ene reaction is dependent on the blocking effect of ortho-iPr of aniline on the reaction site of isatin, which could be adjusted by changing the linkage and chiral backbone as well as metal ion. An unfavorable steric arrangement in the re-face attack pathway translated into a more destabilizing activation strain of the ene substrate, enhancing the enantiodifferentiation of two competing pathways for the desired (R)-product. The counterion might change the catalytic species as well as the associated chiral pocket by taking part in coordination towards the metal center, consequently affecting the reaction mechanism and stereoselectivity.

Herein, metal–ligand bonding features in a chelation N,N′-dioxide–Sc(III) complex have been addressed using the DFT method at the M06/6-31+G** Level. The donor–acceptor interaction between the carbonyl substrate and Sc(III)-based catalyst is analyzed in detail by the activation strain model (ASM), energy decomposition analysis (EDA), and natural orbital for chemical valence (NOCV) calculations. The orbital interaction is the major contributor to N,N′-dioxide–[Sc(OTf)]2+ bonding, whereas the electrostatic interaction plays a more important role than orbital interaction in the activation of a carbonyl compound in hexacoordinate N,N′-dioxide–Sc(III) complexes. The substituents in the amide group of the N,N′-dioxide ligand (L) affect the electrostatic energy as well as the orbital energy between the CH2O and Sc(III)-based catalyst by adjusting the Lewis acidity of the metal centre. The complex with ortho-diisopropylphenyl groups in the ligand exhibits a higher reactivity towards CH2O. Compared to OiPr, the counter ion OTf in the Sc(III)-complex enhances the Lewis acidity of the metal centre and facilitates the activation of CH2O by promoting electron density flow from CH2O to the metal fragment. The high catalytic performance of the N,N′-dioxide–Sc(III) complex towards PhCHO and chalcone is attributed to their good nucleophilicity that results in a more stabilizing electrostatic and orbital interaction between the N,N′-dioxide–[Sc(OTf)]2+ complex and carbonyl substrate.

Tools to define the active ingredients and flavors of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) are limited by long analysis times, complex sample preparation and a lack of multiplexed analysis. The aim of the present study was to optimize and validate an electronic tongue (E-tongue) methodology to analyze the bitterness of TCMs. To test the protocol, 35 different TCM concoctions were measured using an E-tongue, and seven replicate measurements of each sample were taken to evaluate reproducibility and precision. E-tongue sensor information was identified and classified using analysis approaches including least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM), support vector machine (SVM), discriminant analysis (DA) and partial least squares (PLS). A benefit of this analytical protocol was that the analysis of a single sample took

The mechanism and origin of the stereoselectivity of the asymmetric carbonyl-ene reaction between N-methyl-protected isatin and 2-methyloxypropene catalyzed by the N,N'-dioxide-Mg(OTf)2 complex were investigated by DFT and ONIOM methods. The background reaction occurred via a two-stage, one-step mechanism with a high activation barrier of 30.4 kcal mol(-1) at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/6-311G**(SMD, CH2Cl2)//B3LYP/6-31G*(SMD, CH2Cl2) level at 303 K. Good linear correlations between the global nucleophilicity index (N) and the activation energy barrier (ΔG(⧧)) were found. The chiral N,N'-Mg(II) complex catalyst could enhance the electrophilicity of the isatin substrate by forming hexacoordinate Mg(II) reactive species. The substituent at the ortho positions of aniline combined with the aliphatic ring of the backbone in the chiral N,N'-dioxide ligand played an important role in the construction of a favorable "pocket-like" chiral environment (chiral pocket) around the Mg(II) center, directing the preferential orientation of the incoming substrate. An unfavorable steric arrangement in the re-face attack pathway translated into a more destabilizing activation strain of the ene substrate, enhancing enantiodifferentiation of two competing pathways for the desired R product. This work also suggested a new phosphine ligand (N-L1) for the formation of the Mg(II) complex catalyst for the asymmetric carbonyl-ene reaction. The chiral environment and Lewis acidity of the Mg(II) complex could be fine-tuned by introduction of P-donor units into the ligand for highly efficient asymmetric catalysis.

Clinical and preclinical data suggest that diabetes is often psychological complications such as depression. Geniposide (GP), a major compound in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis with both medicinal and nutritional values, has been previously confirmed to exert anti-diabetic and anti-depressive activities. The present study attempted to observe anti-depressive mechanisms of GP in streptozotocin (STZ) evoked diabetic mice by involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), for the first time. Mice were given GP daily (50, and 100 mg/kg, ig) or reference drugs FHMH [fluoxetine hydrochloride (FH, 10 mg/kg, ig) combined with metformin hydrochloride (MH, 100 mg/kg, ig)] for 3 weeks. The forced swimming test (FST) was performed to observe depression-like behavior, and serum and brain tissues were used for neurochemical and fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR analyses. STZ induced excessively increased blood sugar and immobility time in FST, in a manner attenuated by GP and FHMH administration. GP administration further elevated BDNF levels, and up-regulated the mRNA expression of BDNF and tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) in hippocampus of diabetic mice. In addition, STZ induced the excessive level of serum corticosterone (CORT), while GP did not influence on it in diabetic mice. Taken together, these findings indicate that GP can alleviate depression-like behavior in STZ-evoked diabetic mice, and suggest its mechanisms may partially be ascribed to up-regulating BDNF expression in brain.

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) horseweed has become an especially problematic weed in different crop production systems across the United States and the world. In this field study, we used a nondestructive measurement system to analyze the pollen production, deposition, and dispersion of a Tennessee glyphosate resistant (TNR) horseweed biotype in Knoxville, TN during the 2013 pollination season. We observed that the pollination season of TNR horseweed lasted about 2 mo (54 d). About 78.93% of horseweed pollen was released between 9:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. during each sampling day and the release peak was at about 1:30 P.M. The seasonal release of pollen grains was estimated to be 5.11 million grains plant−1. The release rate data indicated that the integrated horizontal flux density and deposition flux density contributed to 78.17% and 21.83% of the release rate, respectively. We also found that pollen concentration decreased with distance from the source field; the average pollen concentration decreased to 50.69% at a distance of 16 m from the source plot. This is the first result of a systematic, direct examination of the release rate (emission and deposition), release pattern (daily and seasonal), and dispersion pattern of GR horseweed pollen.

Methane oxidation driven by aerobic methanotrophs plays a critical role in the alleviation of global warming. Yet, we still know little about the assembly mechanisms of methanotrophic communities and the corresponding drivers in mountain soils. Here, we comprehensively investigated methanotrophic bacteria along an elevational gradient (1800–4100 m) in Mount Gongga, China. Our results indicated that previously unrecognized AOB-rel methanotrophs predominated in mountain forest soils, and they showed distinct phylogenetic differentiation and pH preferences (pH 5.9–7.2 and pH 4.7–5.6 for AOB-rel subclade 1 and 2, respectively). Soil pH, temperature and precipitation primarily shaped methanotrophic communities. The community assembly of aerobic methanotrophs was governed mainly by deterministic processes. Our findings also implied that more acidic soils contained less phylogenetically clustered methanotrophic communities, and more neutral soils harbored more phylogenetically clustered communities. This study is the first to illustrate the significant role of soil pH in the assembly of aerobic methanotrophic communities and reinforce the importance of AOB-rel methanotrophs in atmospheric methane oxidation process in mountain forest soils.

\ud Purpose: Studies were designed to evaluate changes in the size of the Schlemm's Canal (SC) and trabecular meshwork(TM) during accommodation stimuli and cycloplegia states in myopic children.\ud Methods: 34 children were enrolled. A -6D accommodation stimulus was achieved by looking at an optotype through a mirror. Cycloplegia state was induced with 1% tropicamide. Two states were confirmed by measuring the central lens thickness（CLT）, the anterior chamber depth and the pupil diameter. The size of the Schlemm's Canal (SC) and Trabecular Meshwork(TM) was measured using swept-source optical coherence tomography. And the associations between the change of the SC and the CLT were analyzed. \ud Results: When compared with the relaxation state, under -6D accommodation stimuli, the size of SC increased significantly: the SC area (SCA) amplified from 6371±2517μm2 to 7824±2727 μm2; the SC length (SCL) from 249±10 μm to 295±12 μm, and SC width (SCW) from 27±9 μm to 31±8 μm. Under cycloplegia state, the SCA reduced to 5009±2028 μm2; the SCL to 212±μm and the SCW to 22±5 μm. In addition, the changed areas of SCA (r=0. 35; P=0.0007), SCL (r=0. 251; P=0.0172), and SCW (r=0. 253; P=0.016) were significantly correlated with the change in CLT. However, the size of TM did not change substantially when compared with the relaxation state. Only the TM length (TML) increased from 562±45μm to 587±47μm after -6D accommodation stimulus.\ud Conclusion: SC size enlarges after -6D accommodation stimuli and shrinks under cycloplegia. However, for TM, only the TM length increase under accommodation stimulus state.\ud KEYWORDS: Schlemm’s Canal, Trabecular Meshwork, accommodation

As a common approach to nondestructive testing and evaluation, guided wave-based methods have attracted much attention because of their wide detection range and high detection efficiency. It is highly desirable to develop a portable guided wave testing system with high actuating energy and variable frequency. In this paper, a novel giant magnetostrictive actuator with high actuation power is designed and implemented, based on the giant magnetostrictive (GMS) effect. The novel GMS actuator design involves a conical energy-focusing head that can focus the amplified mechanical energy generated by the GMS actuator. This design enables the generation of stress waves with high energy, and the focusing of the generated stress waves on the test object. The guided wave generation system enables two kinds of output modes: the coded pulse signal and the sweep signal. The functionality and the advantages of the developed system are validated through laboratory testing in the quality assessment of rock bolt-reinforced structures. In addition, the developed GMS actuator and the supporting system are successfully implemented and applied in field tests. The device can also be used in other nondestructive testing and evaluation applications that require high-power stress wave generation.

Tripterygium glycosides (TG) are commonly used for basic medicine in curing rheumatoid arthritis but with a high incidence of liver injury. Geniposide (GP) has broad and diverse bioactivities, but until now it is still unknown whether GP can protect against TG-induced liver injury. This study, for the first time, observed the possible protection of GP against TG-induced liver injury in mice and its mechanisms underlying. Oral administration of TG (270 mg/kg) induced significant elevation in the levels of serum alanine / aspartate transaminase (ALT/AST), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (all P < 0.01). On the other hand, remarkably decreased biomarkers, including hepatic glutathione (GSH) level, activities of glutathione transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10, were observed following TG exposure (all P < 0.01). Nevertheless, all of these phenotypes were evidently reversed by pre-administration of GP for 7 continuous days. Further analysis showed that the mRNA expression of hepatic growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), one of tissue repair and regeneration cytokines, was enhanced by GP. Taken together, the current research suggests that GP protects against TG-induced liver injury in mice probably involved during attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation, and promoting tissue repair and regeneration.

BACKGROUND There are many cold climate terrestrial sites contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Successful bioremediation in these regions relies heavily on suitable microorganisms with biodegrading capability at low temperatures. This work aims at screening cold-adapted bacteria strains and examining their capability of biodegrading petroleum contaminants. RESULTS Eleven strains of cold-adapted bacteria were isolated from oily sludge taken from a cold environment. Three strains, identified as Chryseobacterium, Bacillus and Pseudomonas, respectively, demonstrated high efficiency in biodegradation of crude oil pollutants based on the growth curves and oil removal rate. The optimal degradation conditions of the three bacteria were 10 °C, pH 7 and salinity of 10 g L−1 for a crude oil concentration at 1000 mg L−1. Under these conditions, the oil removal of the three bacteria after 8 days was 62.3, 61.6 and 60.9%, respectively. The strains were applied in simulated bioremediation tests using artificial contaminated soil containing 5.8–10.6 g oil kg−1 soil and achieved 61–78% oil removal after 150 days of bioremediation at 10 °C. CONCLUSION The three cold-adapted bacteria strains are capable of degrading crude oil efficiently at low temperatures and thus are suitable for bioremediation of petroleum contaminated soils in cold environments. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry

Quercetin (Que) is one of main compounds in Lysimachia christinae Hance (Christina loosestrife), and has both medicinal and nutritional value. Glycosides from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. (léi gōng téng [the thunder duke vine]; TG) have diverse and broad bioactivities but with a high incidence of liver injury. Our previous study reported on the hepatoprotective properties of an ethanol extract from L. christinae against TG-induced liver injury in mice. This research is designed to observe, for the first time, the possible protective properties of the compound Que against TG-induced liver injury, and the underlying mechanisms that are involved in oxidative stress and anti-inflammation. The results indicated that TG caused excessive elevation in serum levels of alanine/aspartate transaminase (ALT/AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as hepatic lipid peroxidation (all P < 0.01). On the other hand, following TG exposure, we observed significantly reduced levels of biomarkers, including hepatic glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10, as well as the enzyme activity and mRNA expression of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) (all P < 0.01). Nevertheless, all of these alterations were reversed by the pre-administration of Que or the drug bifendate (positive control) for 7 consecutive days. Therefore, this study suggests that Que ameliorates TG-induced acute liver injury, probably through its ability to reduce oxidative stress and its anti-inflammatory properties.

Geniposide (GP) is one of main compounds in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, with both medicinal and nutritional value. This study was designed to determine, for the first time, how GP from G. jasminoides protects against acute alcohol-induced liver injury, and the underlying mechanisms. Mice were orally administered alcohol (6.0 g/kg body mass) 2 h after intragastric administration of GP and bifendate, every day for 7 continuous days. Six hours after the alcohol was administered, levels of serum alanine/aspartate transaminase (ALT/AST), hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), and catalase (CAT), and mRNA expression of CuZn-SOD and CAT were assayed. The results demonstrated that GP (20.0, 40.0, or 80 mg/kg) significantly reversed the excessive, alcohol-induced elevation in both serum ALT/AST and hepatic LPO levels. Moreover, hepatic GSH, GST, GPx, CuZn-SOD, and CAT levels were all decreased in the alcohol-treated mice, whereas treatment with GP reversed these decreases. Further analysis indicated that hepatic mRNA expression of CuZn-SOD and CAT in the alcohol-treated mice was significantly down-regulated, whereas GP up-regulated such decreases. Taken together, this study shows that GP protects against acute alcohol-induced liver injury via up-regulating the expression of the main antioxidant enzymes, and thus ameliorates alcohol-induced oxidative stress injury in the liver.

Seed dispersal has significantly contributed to horseweed invasion in ecosystems. However, there is a lack of research on long-distance (more than 1 km) and dynamic (hourly) seed movement during an entire seed-shedding season and under different atmospheric conditions. To fill this knowledge gap, the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectories (HYSPLIT) model, accounting for meteorological factors and biological dynamics (hourly-order seed emission), was validated using experimental data. The validated model was run for different atmospheric conditions (wind speed and updraft-vertical turbulence) to estimate the longest distance (LD, from the source with more than 1 seed ha−1 deposition) and distribution of seed dispersal during one day (8:00 to 18:00). In a weak wind condition (1–4 m s−1 at 10 m height, standard deviation of vertical wind velocity = 0.5–0.6 m s−1), LD was about 36.5 km, and 4% of seeds were deposited farther than 5 km. In a strong wind condition (5–7 m s−1, 0.8–1 m s−1), LD was 165 km, and 27% were blown farther than 5 km. At the end of the seed-shedding season (44 days), seed dispersal exceeded 186 km; 79% were found within 5 km and 14% were blown farther than 10 km.

The United States continues to be the largest corn producer in the world. How to maximize corn yield and at the same time reduce greenhouse gas emissions, is becoming a challenging effort for growers and researchers. As a result, our understanding of the responses of soil CO2 and CH4 fluxes to agricultural practices in cornfields is still limited. We conducted a 3-yr cornfield experiment to study the responses of soil CO2 and CH4 fluxes to various agricultural practices in middle Tennessee. The agricultural practices included no-tillage + regular applications of urea ammonium nitrate (NT-URAN); no-tillage + regular applications of URAN + denitrification inhibitor (NT-inhi- bitor); no-tillage + regular applications of URAN + biochar (NT-biochar); no-tillage + 20% applications of URAN + chicken litter (NT-litter); no-tillage + split applications of URAN (NT-split); and conventional tillage + regular applications of URAN as a control (CT-URAN). A randomized complete block design was used with six replications. The same amount of fertilizer equivalent to 217 kg·N·ha-1 was applied to all of the experimental plots. The results showed that improved fertilizer and soil management, except the NT-biochar treatment significantly increased soil CO2 flux as compared to the conventional tillage (CT-URAN, 487.05 mg CO2 m-2·h-1). Soil CO2 flux increased exponentially with soil temperature (T 2 flux tended to be positively related to corn yield and/or soil moisture. Soil CH4 flux increased linearly with soil moisture in all treatments. Improved fertilizer and soil management did not alter soil CH4 flux, but significantly affected its moisture sensitivity. Our results indicated that agricultural practices enhancing corn yield may also result in a net increase in carbon emissions from soil, hence reducing the potential of carbon sequestration in croplands.

The mainstream of microfluidic chip research has transformed from the platform construction and method development to a wide range of applications. As a typical multiphase micro-functional unit, the droplet can be used as an independent microreactor with a volume ranging from pL to nL and formation rate up to thousands of droplets per second. It has the advantages of restricted diffusion, accelerated mixing, high heat transfer, effective mass transfer and so on. Droplet-based microfluidic technology has been emerged as a powerful tool to carry out high throughput screening and droplet manipulation research. Thus cell analysis, especially single cell analysis, and cell manipulation in droplets are easy and effective to be implemented with the assistance of a series of analytical methods. In this Chapter, we have briefly introduced an overview of droplet generation and corresponding principle by microfluidic chip. Besides, some usual methods coupled with droplet analysis have also been presented such as fluorescence analysis, mass spectrometry, capillary electrophoresis and others. Then we have mainly discussed the progress of droplets in cell analysis of recent decades. Finally, a summary and possible predication of droplet-based microfluidic chip are made at the end of this chapter.

AIM: To assess and compare the diurnal macular choroidal area fluctuation in normal and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) groups using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). METHODS: Twenty-eight normal and 27 POAG eyes were enrolled in this study. EDI-OCT was used to measure the macular choroidal area every 3h from 9:00 a.m. to 21:00 p.m. RESULTS: Significant diurnal fluctuations of macular choroidal area were observed in both normal (P=0.003) and POAG groups (P0.05). In the meantime, significant diurnal intraocular pressure fluctuations were also observed in normal and POAG groups (both P

Purpose We aimed to measure the sizes of Schlemm’s canal (SC) and the trabecular meshwork (TM) in healthy individuals and to evaluate variations with age from childhood to old age by using swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods Anterior chamber angle imaging of the superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal regions of the right and left eyes was performed with swept-source OCT. The diameter and area of SC and TM width and thickness were measured manually from OCT images. Results A total of 114 healthy individuals were enrolled and included 48 male subjects and 66 female subjects; their ages ranged from 7 to 83 years. Both the SC diameter and area in the four quadrants decreased significantly with aging (P 0.05). Conclusions With aging, the SC diameter and area became smaller, TM thickness increased, and TM width seemed to remain constant. Measurements of the sizes of SC and the TM with swept-source OCT could assist in clinical assessments and treatment planning for glaucoma.

The biogeographical distribution of methanotrophic communities and the mechanisms driving methanotrophic community assembly in grassland soils are largely unknown. In this study, the assembly mechanisms of methanotrophic communities and the niche preferences of specific methanotrophic taxa were investigated in three Chinese grassland regions, including the Inner Mongolian Plateau (IMP), the Xinjiang Autonomous Region (XAR) and the Tibetan Plateau (TP) across 1500, 1000 and 1000 km, respectively. We analyzed the relative importance of deterministic and stochastic processes on methanotrophic community assembly and assessed how assembly is affected by environmental and spatial factors. The results revealed the presence of various methanotrophic taxa in the different grassland regions. Deterministic processes were dominant in the methanotrophic community assembly, and heterogeneous selection had a greater contribution in shifting the methanotrophic community than did homogeneous selection, dispersal limitations, homogenizing dispersal and drift. Moreover, key environmental factors shaping the methanotrophic communities were scale-dependent and varied among the three regions. The primary variables identified as shaping methanotrophic communities were the aridity index, total nitrogen, and mean annual temperature in the IMP, XAR and TP grasslands at regional scales, whereas pH was the primary variable when considering all of the regions together. In general, the soil methanotrophic community assembly was primarily influenced by deterministic processes and responded in a predictable manner to major environmental factors at a regional scale.

We aimed to observe the opening status and morphological parameters of Schlemm's canal (SC) in normal eyes using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Consecutive EDI-OCT scans were used to examine the right eye of 20 normal individuals. EDI-OCT was performed clockwise for 8 regions (at the 12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30, 9:00 and 10:30 o’clock positions). Image processing and analysis in java software was used to measure the area, perimeter, and diameter of SC. Twenty-one serial scans of each region were evaluated and a total of 168 images were included in the analyses of each eye. The SC was detected in 100.0% of the sections. The distribution of individual measurements of SC was highly variable. The mean values of SC size significantly differed among the different clock-face positions. The mean values of the area, perimeter, and diameter of SC in the 9:00 o’clock position were the lowest, and those at the 7:30 o’clock position were the highest (P

Soil erosion and socio-economic interacts with each other. Soil and water loss destroys land resources, causes non-point source pollution, affects the recycling and utilization of water resources, worsens the water environment, and even causes natural disasters such as collapse, landslides, and debris flows. Soil erosion affects regional socio-economic development. On the one hand, economic and social development has caused a sharp increase in people’s demand for the development and utilization of natural resources, which has increased the occurrence of soil and water loss; on the other hand, economic and social development has promoted people’s understanding of soil erosion and soil and water conservation, enabling people to consciously change their production and lifestyle, and having sufficient funds to invest in soil and water conservation and reduce soil erosion.

Increases in observed atmospheric concentrations of the long-lived greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) have been well documented. However, information on event-related instantaneous emissions during fertilizer applications is lacking. With the development of fast-response N2O analyzers, the eddy covariance (EC) technique can be used to gather instantaneous measurements of N2O concentrations to quantify the exchange of nitrogen between the soil and atmosphere. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of a new EC system, to measure the N2O flux with the system, and finally to examine relationships of the N2O flux with soil temperature, soil moisture, precipitation, and fertilization events. An EC system was assembled with a sonic anemometer and a fast-response N2O analyzer (quantum cascade laser spectrometer) and applied in a cornfield in Nolensville, Tennessee during the 2012 corn growing season (4 April–8 August). Fertilizer amounts totaling 217 kg N ha−1 were applied to the experimental site. Results showed that this N2O EC system provided reliable N2O flux measurements. The cumulative emitted N2O amount for the entire growing season was 6.87 kg N2O-N ha−1. Seasonal fluxes were highly dependent on soil moisture rather than soil temperature. This study was one of the few experiments that continuously measured instantaneous, high-frequency N2O emissions in crop fields over a growing season of more than 100 days.

Serious nitrogen (N) deposition in terrestrial ecosystems causes soil acidification and changes the structure and function of the microbial community. However, it is unclear how these changes are dependent on N deposition rates, other factors induced by N (e.g., pH), and their interactions. In this study, we investigated the responses of soil prokaryotic community structure and stability after a 13-year N addition in the semi-arid Leymus chinensis steppe in Inner Mongolia, China. Our results demonstrated that the prokaryotic community structure changed at the low N addition rate of 1.75 g N m � 2 yr � 1 ; however, dramatic changes in microbial abundance, respiratory quotient, and prokaryotic diversity occurred at N addition rates of more than 5.25 g N m � 2 yr � 1 when the soil pH dropped below 6.0. The two patterns indicated the difference in driving forces for different microbial properties. The N-driven and pH-driven processes are likely the most important mechanisms determining the responses of bacterial community to N. Some copiotrophic/oligotrophic bacteria, e.g., Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria, changed their relative abundances with the N addition continuously even at a low rate, indicating that they were more sensitive to N directly. Some bacterial groups significantly changed their relative abundance at a high N addition rate when pH dropped below 6.0, e.g., Verrucomicrobia and Armatimonadetes, indicating that they were more sensitive to pH below 6.0. N addition altered the prokaryotic community structure through enrichment of copiotrophic bacteria (species adjustment) at low N addition rates and through enrichment of nitrophilous taxa and significant loss of diversity at high N rates. The results also demonstrated that a high N addition diminished the stability of the prokaryotic community structure and activity through reduction in species diversity and bacterial interaction. Overall, this study supported the hypothesis that the responses of prokaryota to N were dependent on deposition rates, and N-driven and pH-driven processes were the important mechanisms to control the shift of the prokaryotic community.

Starch-based composites have become promising materials for eco-friendly packaging applications because of their biodegradability and cost-effectiveness. However, the inherently poor mechanical and barrier properties of starch-based composite films hinder their market potential. Here, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) was isolated from cotton cellulose powders using sulfuric acid hydrolysis. Starch-based composite suspensions/films reinforced with 0.1–0.5 wt % of NCC were prepared and characterized. Surface sizing application of the reinforced composite suspensions on cellulosic paper was subsequently studied for improving the mechanical properties and the resistance to air permeability of cellulosic paper. Results revealed that NCC reinforced composite suspensions showed the characteristics of non-Newtonian fluids. The rheological behavior of these suspensions showed strong NCC concentration dependence. NCC addition improved the thermal stability of starch-based composite films. In addition, both the mecha...

The present study is designed to investigate the protection by ferulic acid against the hepato-toxicity induced by diosbulbin B and its possible mechanism, and further observe whether ferulic acid augments diosbulbin B-induced anti-tumor activity. The results show that ferulic acid decreases diosbulbin B-increased serum alanine transaminase/aspartate transaminase (ALT/AST) levels. Ferulic acid also decreases lipid peroxide (LPO) levels which are elevated in diosbulbin B-treated mice. Histological evaluation of the liver demonstrates hydropic degeneration in diosbulbin B-treated mice, while ferulic acid reverses this injury. Moreover, the activities of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) are decreased in the livers of diosbulbin B-treated mice, while ferulic acid reverses these decreases. Further results demonstrate that the mRNA expressions of CuZn-SOD and CAT in diosbulbin B-treated mouse liver are significantly decreased, while ferulic acid prevents this decrease. In addition, ferulic acid also augments diosbulbin B-induced tumor growth inhibition compared with diosbulbin B alone. Taken together, the present study shows that ferulic acid prevents diosbulbin B-induced liver injury via ameliorating diosbulbin B-induced liver oxidative stress injury and augments diosbulbin B-induced anti-tumor activity.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the tribological, anticorrosion and antirust properties of three 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMTD) derivatives as water-soluble additives in water–glycol hydraulic fluid. Design/methodology/approach – DMTD derivatives possessing excellent corrosion inhibiting and extreme-pressure (EP) properties have long been used as metal passivators and load-carrying additives in lubricating oils and grease. However, there are seldom literatures about DMTD derivatives as water-soluble lubricant additives as yet. In this work, three DMTD derivatives were synthesized and investigated as water-soluble additives in the water–glycol hydraulic fluid. Their tribological properties were evaluated in detail by four-ball wear test machine and Optimol SRV-IV oscillating friction and wear tester. Meanwhile, their anticorrosion and antirust properties were also investigated by copper strip corrosive tests and antirust tests, respectively. The worn surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscope and X-ray photonelectron spectroscope, and the EP, antiwear and friction-reducing mechanisms were primarily proposed. Findings – The synthesized three DMTD derivatives (coded as A, B and C) have excellent solubility in the base liquid of the water–glycol hydraulic fluid. The experimental results demonstrated that all these compounds, especially A, could remarkably improve the EP, antiwear and friction-reducing properties of the base liquid. Furthermore, they all have perfect copper corrosion inhibiting and antirust properties with low adding concentration (< 3 weight per cent) in the base liquid and hence could be used as multifunctional additives in the water–glycol hydraulic fluid. Research limitations/implications – This research only focused on the synthesized DMTD derivatives. If possible, some other thiadiazole derivatives also should be investigated. Practical implications – The synthesized DMTD derivatives, especially compound A, can be used as multifunctional water-soluble additives in the water–glycol hydraulic fluid. Originality/value – In this paper, three DMTD derivatives were synthesized and their tribological behaviors as water-soluble lubricant additives were investigated for the first time. In addition, the EP, antiwear and friction-reducing mechanisms were also put forward.

Assembly mechanisms and responses of diazotrophic habitat specialists, opportunists, and generalists may differ among various steppe ecosystems. In this study, we investigated the ecological processes that determine the assemblies of diazotrophic communities in meadows and typical steppes (MT), desert steppes (D), and sandy steppes (S) and the effects of habitat environments on diazotrophic specialists, opportunists, and generalists in Inner Mongolia, China. The results showed that taxonomic and phylogenetic communities of diazotrophs were clustered according to their habitat types, as community dissimilarities among habitat types were significantly higher than those within them. Variable selection and dispersal limitation were recognized as the dominant ecological processes that shape diazotrophic community assemblages. Furthermore, the diazotrophic populations were dichotomized into specialists, opportunists and generalists with various strategies to adapt to habitat types. The richness of specialists significantly correlated with vegetation variables, implying that specialists have greater responses to vegetation than generalists and opportunists. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of diazotrophic community differentiation when habitat environments change.

Dioscorea bulbifera L., a traditionally used medicinal plant in China, is reported to induce hepatotoxicity. The present study is designed to investigate the protection of an ethanol extract of Angelica sinensis (Oliv) Diels (AE) against an ethyl acetate fraction of D. bulbifera (EF)-induced liver injury and its engaged mechanism. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that the amount of diosbulbin B in EF was 16.03% and ferulic acid in AE was 0.18%. EF (350 mg/kg) increased serum alanine/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities and total bilirubin (TB) amount, while AE inhibited such an increase. Liver histological evaluation showed that AE prevented development of severe hepatic lesions induced by EF. Further results showed that EF decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and induced the cleaved activation of caspase-9 and -3, and all those effects were reversed by AE. AE also reversed EF-induced decreased expression of the inhibitor of kappa B (IκB), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Taken together, our results demonstrate that AE can prevent EF-induced hepatotoxicity via preventing apoptosis, meanwhile IκB, SOD, and GPx may be involved in such protection.

Dioscorea bulbifera L., a commonly used medicinal plant in China, is reported to induce hepatotoxicity. The present study is undertaken to investigate the hepatotoxicity induced by diosbulbin B (DB), a diterpene lactone isolated from D. bulbifera L., and to further explore its underlying mechanism. DB was administered to mice at the doses of 0, 16, 32, and 64 mg/kg once daily for 12 consecutive days. Liver injury induced by DB was evidenced by the increased activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). Liver histological evaluation showed that the mice treated with DB exhibited liver damage with the swelling of hepatocytes. Further results showed that the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver was increased in mice treated with DB, while the glutathione amount and the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), copper/zinc–superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), manganese-SOD (Mn-SOD), and catalase (CAT) were all decreased. DB also decreased the gene expression of CuZn-SOD and CAT. Taken together, our results indicate that oral administration of DB for 12 consecutive days can lead to the oxidative stress liver injury in mice.

To investigate the relationship between morphological changes in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), as measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and damage to the optic disc in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.A total of 23 patients with POAG and 23 age- and gender-matched non-glaucomatous subjects were enrolled. Every patient had structural damage to the optic disc. Cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) were measured, and 3.0-Tesla MRI examinations performed. Bilateral LGNs were identified and manually extracted, and their maximum heights and volumes compared with the clinical damage to the optic disc.In POAG patients, morphological changes in LGNs and RNFLT were consistently varied (P0.05), while a negative correlation between LGN measurements and CDR was observed (P0.05). LGN height was more significantly correlated with damage to the optic disc than was LGN volume. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between morphological changes in LGNs and age or optic disc parameters in the non-glaucomatous controls (P0.05).LGN atrophy in POAG patients was altered in a manner consistent with damage to the optic disc. Morphological changes in LGNs as measured by MRI and especially LGN maximum height may be useful ways to detect optic nerve neuropathy in glaucoma.

Three S-alkyl-N,N-dicarboxymethyl dithiocarbamates with different alkyl chain lengths were synthesized and their tribological properties as additives for a water–glycol hydraulic fluid were evaluated with four-ball machines and an Optimol SRV-IV oscillating friction and wear tester. The influence of the alkyl chain length on their lubricating abilities was also studied. The results demonstrated that all three S-alkyl-N,N-dicarboxymethyl dithiocarbamates can improve the extreme-pressure, antiwear, and friction-reducing properties of the water–glycol hydraulic fluid to different degrees; that is, the additive with the longest alkyl chain exhibited the best tribological properties, especially at high loads. The worn surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The analytical results of typical elements on the worn surfaces demonstrated that these additives reacted with the steel surfaces during the friction processes and generated a protective ...

Different agricultural practices may have substantial impacts on crop physiology and yield. However, it is still not entirely clear how multiple agricultural practices such as tillage, biochar and different nutrient applications could influence corn physiology and yield. We conducted a three-year field experiment to study the responses of corn physiology, yield and soil respiration to six different agricultural practices. The six treatments included conventional tillage (CT) or no tillage (NT), in combination with nitrogen type (URAN or chicken litter) and application method, biochar, or denitrification inhibitor. A randomized complete block design was applied with six replications. Leaf photosynthetic rate, transpiration, plant height, leaf area index (LAI), biomass and yield were measured. Results showed that different agricultural practices had significant effects on plant leaf photosynthesis, transpiration, soil respiration, height and yield, but not on LAI and biomass. The average corn yield in the NT-URAN was 10.03 ton/ha, 28.9% more than in the CT-URAN. Compared to the NT-URAN, the NT-biochar had lower soil respiration and similar yield. All variables measured showed remarkable variations among the three years. Our results indicated that no tillage treatment substantially increased corn yield, probably due to the preservation of soil moisture during drought periods.