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Aims To construct an efficient bacterial complex to degrade nicosulfuron and clarify its degradative characteristics, promote the growth of maize (Zea mays), and provide a theoretical foundation for the efficient remediation of soil contaminated with nicosulfuron. Methods and results Biocompatibility was determined by the filter paper sheet method by mixing Serratia marcescens A1 and Bacillus cereus A2 in a 1:1 ratio, yielding A12. The optimum culture conditions for the bacterial composite were obtained based on a three-factor, three-level analysis using response surface methodology, with 29.25 g l−1 for maltodextrin, 10.04 g l−1 for yeast extract, and 19.93 g l−1 for NaCl, which resulted in 92.42% degradation at 4 d. The degradation characteristics of A12 were clarified as follows: temperature 30°C, pH 7, initial concentration of nicosulfuron 20 mg l−1, and 4% inoculum. The ability to promote growth was determined by measuring the ratio of the lysosphere diameter (D) to the colony diameter (d), and the ability of the complex A12 to promote growth was higher than that of the two single strains. Conclusions Nicosulfuron degradation in sterilized and unsterilized soils reached 85.4% and 91.2% within 28 d, respectively. The ability of the strains to colonize the soil was determined by extraction of total soil DNA, primer design, and gel electrophoresis. The bioremediation effect of A12 was confirmed by the maximum recovery of fresh weight (124.35%) of nicosulfuron-sensitive crop plants and the significant recovery of soil enzyme activities, as measured by the physiological indices in the sensitive plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review critically evaluates the algal–bacterial consortium (ABC) as a promising technology for wastewater treatment, carbon capture and storage, while also assessing its challenges and opportunities. The ABC system, characterized by the coupling of algae and bacteria, not only removes pollutants and reclaims resources but also helps in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This system harnesses algal photosynthesis and bacterial degradation of organic matters to establish a carbon cycle, enhancing biomass production and pollutant removal. Despite its promise, the ABC process is subject to several hurdles, including sensitivity to low temperatures, reliance on artificial illumination, and the potential for algal biomass contamination by toxic substances. To capitalize on its full potential, continued research and technological advancements are imperative. Future investigations should focus on optimizing the system's operational efficiency, developing precise process models, exploring avenues for resource recovery, and broadening the scope of its applications. By surmounting these challenges, the ABC system has the capacity to make a significant impact on sustainable wastewater management and carbon fixation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored whether overseas study experience is associated with global processing style. In Experiment 1, thirty students had overseas study experience and thirty students had not studied abroad were asked to complete a Navon task. The results showed that, compared to the students without overseas study experience, the students with overseas study experience tended to respond faster towards global letters. In Experiment 2, forty students had overseas study experience and forty students had not studied abroad were asked to look for similarities and differences between the two videos. The results revealed that, compared to students without overseas study experience, students with overseas study experience could find more similarities between objects. These findings indicated that there is a positive relationship between overseas study experience and global processing style., Author(s): Jiansheng Li [sup.1], Siya Wang [sup.1], Hao Zheng [sup.1], Defu Pan [sup.2], Yue Wang [sup.3], Yang Yang [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.412260.3, 0000 0004 1760 1427, Department of Psychology, [...]

In recent years, the treatment of periodontal bone defect has been a major challenge. Cell-based bone tissue engineering provides an advanced way for bone regeneration. Bone formation hinges on the potential of osteogenesis in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Shikonin (SHI), an active principle of Radix Lithospermi, has shown a striking role to mitigate osteoporosis of ovariectomized mice, whereas its effects on periodontal bone defect are vague. Herein, we explored the impact of SHI on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in vitro and further analyzed the potential mechanisms using an inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB203580). A rat periodontal bone defect model was built to assess its effects on bone formation in vivo by micro-CT and immunofluorescence. Our results showed SHI with no cytotoxicity could conspicuously enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcium accumulation and the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteocalcin (OCN) of BMSCs in vitro. Increased bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV) and osteopontin (OPN) expression after SHI administration further demonstrated the capacity of promoting osteogenesis of SHI in vivo. Furthermore, SHI could also increase the phosphorylation of p38. However, the phosphorylation of p38 and expression of osteogenic indicators promoted by SHI were reversed by SB203580, thereby illustrating the positive regulatory relationship between p38 MAPK and SHI-mediated osteogenesis. This finding may help SHI become a promising agent with respect to the therapy of periodontal bone defect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on women/gender in host communities has shifted towards a feminist perspective. In line with this trend, this paper further explores women's self-awakening and self-growth in a host community by considering feminine subjectivity based on Foucault's perspective, which is a critical feminism topic. This paper presents the case of the Cheongsam Sisters, a local women's group that participates in leisure activities in Yangshuo, China. Based on longitudinal and anthropological research, this work describes and interprets Cheongsam Sisters' feminine subjectivities at the individual level and the collective level. It is found that tourism development not only changes the gender structure in the host community but also provides conditions for the formation of feminine subjectivities. Furthermore, in the tourism context, the emergence of feminine subjectivities is a dynamic process, which means the feminine subjectivity iterate from the individual level to the collective level along with Cheongsam Sisters' practices. With these findings, this paper contributes to the literature on tourism impact by linking feminine subjectivity, women and tourism, which is critical to endogenous and sustainable development in underdeveloped destinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of researches on the behaviour of a new structural system, composite timber wall panel with cold-formed steel frames, are investigated under monotonic and reversed cyclic loading. In order to improve the in-plane lateral performance of the composite timber panels, sixteen different optimized composite timber panels were proposed and tested, including increasing the thickness of the sheathings, improvement with steel X-bracings, filling with straw and advance of connection between sheathing and wood framing. The main objective of the investigation is to explore the pervasive mode of failure, determine the quantification of the improvement in lateral performance of these optimized composite timber wall panels and evaluate the benefits of each optimization during the process of failure.