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The emergence of pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) caused by increased usage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) represents a significant challenge to HIV management. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of PDR in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Chongqing, China.We retrospectively collected the data of 1110 ART-naïve PLWH in Chongqing from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021. HIV-1 genotypes and drug resistance were analyzed using the HIV-1 pol sequence. Risk factors associated with PDR were evaluated via the logistic regression model.Nine genotypes were detected among 1110 participants, with CRF07_BC (55.68%) being the dominant genotype, followed by CRF01_AE (21.44%), CRF08_BC (14.14%), and other genotypes (8.74%). Of all the participants, 24.14% exhibited drug resistance mutations (DRMs). The predominant DRMs for non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) were V179D/E/A/DIN (13.60%) and M184V/I (1.44%), respectively, whereas only two major DRMs (M46L and I54L) were identified for protease inhibitors (PIs). The total prevalence of PDR was 10.54%, with 2.43%, 7.66%, and 1.71% participants exhibiting PDR to NRTIs, NNRTIs, and PIs, respectively. Furthermore, female PLWH, delays in ART initiation, and the CRF08_BC genotype were associated with a higher risk of PDR.Our study provides the first large cohort data on the prevalence of PDR in Chongqing, China. HIV-1 genotypes are diverse and complex, with a moderate level of PDR, which does not reach the threshold for the initiation of a public health response. Nevertheless, continuous surveillance of PDR is both useful and advisable.

The incorporation of borate is a beneficial strategy to improve the catalytic activity of transition metal-based electrocatalyts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). However, how to efficiently introduce borate has always been a challenge. Here, a facile and scalable molten salt method is developed to successfully dope borate into FeNi layered double hydroxides (FeB

Background meta-analysis was performed to study the therapeutic effect of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation combined with killer cells (important immune cells of the body) on leukemia, hoping to enhance the postoperative therapeutic efficiency. Methods literatures were searched with "Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation", "killer cell", "leukemia", "Cytokine induction", etc. as search terms using Boolean logic search. Review Manager was utilized for meta-analysis after literature screening. Results eleven literatures were included, most of which were of low-risk bias (medium-high quality). Through meta-analysis, statistical heterogeneity was found in non-recurring mortality (NRM) between control group and experimental group (Chi2 =15.69, I2=62%, P=0.02). The leukemia-free survival rate between two groups was not heterogeneous (Chi2 =13.16, I2=32%, P=0.16), without considerable difference between groups (Z=1.52, P=0.13). The incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) between the two groups was statistically heterogeneous (Chi2 =21.38, I2=67%, P=0.003). The incidence of graft-versus-host disease in experimental group was greatly inferior to controls (Z=3.87, P=0.0001). Discussion hematopoietic stem cell transplantation combined with killer cells can effectively reduce the incidence of GvHD after stem cell transplantation in patients. The prognosis of transplantation was good, and it had no obvious effect on the overall survival rate and recurrence rate.

Ultrafine and high-density RuP2 based on coordination chemistry and catalyst-support correlation shows potential for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, the uniform and high-density W-doped ultra-small RuP2 (W0.05-RuP2@C3N4-NC) are synthesized by incorporating oxygen-bridged [WO4] tetrahedron into tetracetic acid (EDTA)-melamino-formaldehyde (MF) ligands. EDTA-MF shows strong metal-support interaction, dedicating to the optimal dispersion, highest Ru yields, and HER activity. W atoms regulate local electron structure and coordination environment, leading to faster proton supply and hydrogen release, thus achieving 10 mA cm-2 at low overpotential of 27 mV (alkaline) and 66 mV (acidic). Notably, W0.05-RuP2@C3N4-NC maintains stability with staged 500-1000 mA cm-2 for 1000 h in alkaline, and 1000 mA cm-2 for ~300 h in acid, ascribing to the immobilized ultra-stable RuP2 nanoclusters via EDTA-MF and metal-oxygen sites. The excellent activity and stability hold promise for industrial hydrogen production, which provides deeper insights into catalyst-support interaction and reasonable design of high Ru-loading electrocatalysts.

In order to allow car owners to quickly and conve niently find parking spaces in unfamiliar parking lots and keep tr ack of the car conditions. This project uses Unity3D professional technology to design and develop “the application of Unity3D- based virtual reality technology in parking”, which combines virt ual reality technology and data visualization functions. The virtu al parking system will help improve parking difficulties and other problems, and aims to serve society.

Dissolved organic matter(DOM)is an important element of natural aquatic systems. Due to differences in their hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties and various functional groups, chemical appearances of DOM fractions also vary. In this study, seven natural waters, extending from Xiaheyan to Toudaoguai along the Ning-Meng section of the Yellow river, were sampled in April 2015. Four DOM fractions were obtained by pumping through XAD-4 and XAD-8 resins, i.e., hydrophobic acid (HOA), hydrophobic base (HOB), weak hydrophobic acid (WHOA), and hydrophilic matter (HYI). Based on detection by three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence (EEM) and correlation analysis, relationships with five metal ions (Pb, Zn, Cu, Cr, As) were analyzed. Results show that DOC gradually increased along an upstream to downstream continuum in the Ning-Meng section. HYI (small molecular proteins) was the main DOM fraction present, followed by HOA, suggesting enhanced microbial-sourced impact from industrial sewage discharges. The significant peaks of humic-like (A, C) and protein-like compounds (T

To explore the biological function of BMAL1 in human acute myeloid leukemia by means of the HL-60 cell line in whica circadian gene BMAL1 was konocked-out by the CRISPR/Cas9 technology.Two sgRNAs for BMAL1 were designed and the PX459 knockout vectors containing the sgRNA were constructed. The activity of 2 sgRNAs was detected by T7 endonuclease I. the BMAL1 knocked out HL-60 cells were prepared by transient transfection of the target vectors into the cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of BMAL1 protein. The apoptosis of the targeted cells was detected by flow cytometry. The proliferation status of the cells was assessed by the CCK-8 assay.The PX459-sgRNA vectors were successfully constructed and screened to assure the activity of the targeting vector. It was found that the expression of BMAL1 protein was not detected in BMAL1-knocked out HL- 60 cells. Further, it was shown that BMAL1 knockdout could promote the apoptosis of HL-60 cells and inhibit the cell proliferation ability.BMAL1 knocked out HL-60 cells have bean successfully established using the CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technique, and BMAL1 knockout can promote the HL-60 cell apoptosis and inhibit its proliferation.These result reveal the biological role of the BMAL1 circadian gene in acute myeloid leukemia.

Electrochemical oxidation by boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrode is an effective method of degrading refractory organics. Compared with TOC detection, the amount of gas escape can more effectively and intuitively reflect the mineralization and the removal extent. In this study, indole is chosen as a typical pollutant and the detection of its removal rate was compared at current densities of 10, 20, and 30 mA·cm

In order to study the laser etching mechanism for aluminum thin film on polyimide substrate, the etching process was simulated by the finite element analysis software ANSYS, and etching profile was predicted. A theoretical model was established by comparing the simulated etching results with calculated ones; it was presumed that the etching process was firstly a thermal dominant one, then a photochemical interaction dominant one, and finally a thermal one again. Key words: Laser etching, aluminum thin film, polyimide, etching profile.

The recovery of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) based biopesticides from fermented sludge broth via cross-flow microfiltration (CFMF) was evaluated. Three types of microfiltration membranes, WX-model cellulose, cellulose acetate, and polyethersulfone, were tested for their permeate flux and restoration capacity. The cellulose acetate membrane with a pore size of 0.8 μm was selected for further process optimization and modeling of CFMF. Under optimal conditions, the permeate flux could be greater than 20 l/m2/h if the retentate contained was less than 100 g/l. The spore and crystal proteins recoveries were found to be 99 and 95%, respectively. The standard hydraulic resistance-in-series model was used to determine the parameters of CFMF of Bt fermented sludge. The results demonstrated that CFMF was effective for Bt based biopesticide recovery from fermented sludge.

A self-organizing model was developed for simulating rill erosion process on slopes with particular attention to the role of gravitational erosion. For a complete simulation circle, processes such as precipitation, infiltration, runoff, scouring, gravitational erosion and elevation variation were fully considered. Precipitation time (or runoff time) was regarded as iteration benchmark in the model. To specify the contribution of gravitational erosion to the process of rill formation and development, a gravitational erosion module was inserted into the model. Gravitational erosion in rill development was regarded as a Gaussian random process. A model was calibrated by our experimental data, and further validated satisfactorily with 22 runs of experimental results from different investigators. Systematic comparison was made between sediment yields with and without consideration of gravitational erosion module. It was demonstrated that the model could reasonably simulate the rill erosion process under a variety of slope gradients, rainfall intensities and soil conditions upon the gravitational erosion being considered. However, the role of gravitational erosion on sediment yields in rill systems varies significantly under different conditions, although it is of the utmost importance in steeper slopes. The process of gravitational erosion in rill development was studied by a newly-defined parameter ω, which is defined as the volume ratio of gravitational erosion over hydraulic-related erosion. The gravitational contribution to the total erosion could be over 50% for the rill systems with higher rainfall intensity and steeper slopes.

Nanometer titanium dioxide films supported on glass, quartz, molybdenum, and aluminum were prepared by sol-gel method. The loaded titanium dioxide films were characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photocatalytic degradation of aqueous crystal violet. The titanium dioxide films supported on different substrates were all composed of polycrystalline nanoparticles, which belonged to single-phase anatase, and displayed different morphology after sintering at 773 K for 1 h. Some elements in the substrate made of noncrystal appeared on the surface of titanium dioxide films. The experiment about basic crystal violet degradation displayed the photocatalysis activity of titanium oxide films supported on the molybdenum was better.

Al film on CFRP has been tested by cryogenic-thermal cycling according to the especial condition of space. Properties of aluminum film have been characterized by electron pull apparatus, XRD and SEM. The result shows that the adhesion of Al film increases slowly at early stage of cryogenic-thermal cycling. When the times of cryogenic-thermal cycling exceed 50, the adhesion of Al film becomes stability, and then the adhesion of Al film decrease slowly when cycling times from 100 to 600. After 600 times, the adhesion of Al film becomes stability again. The microcrack appears on the surface of Al film after 50 times, and the amounts of microcrack increase and microcrack is coarsening versus times of cryogenic-thermal cycling. The structure of Al film is changing slowly during cryogenic-thermal cycling.

Using an instantaneous base-feeding method and a batch-feeding method, high-concentration polyaluminum chloride (PACl) products were prepared employing CaO as the basification reagent. The distribution and transformation of the Al species of PACl was explored for the first time over a broad total Al concentration (AlT) range. There is always an optimal basicity (B value) at which the product has the highest Alb content, whether AlT is high or low. The optimal B value and the highest Alb content obtained both decrease with increasing AlT. When the B value is lower than optimal, the overall reaction mainly leads to the production of Alb; when the B value is higher, the reaction leads to the production of Alc. During the dilution process, high B value PACl has a tendency towards Alb formation, while low B value PACl favors Alc formation. The transformation behaviors of Al species are influenced by AlT in the preparation or dilution process.

Oxygen plasma is widely employed for modification of polymer surfaces. Plasma treatment process is a convenient procedure that is also environmentally friendly. This study reports the effects of oxygen plasma treatment on the surface properties of poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) fibers. The surface characteristics before and after oxygen plasma treatment were analyzed by XPS, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic contact angle analysis (DCAA). It was found that oxygen plasma treatment introduced some new polar groups (OCO) on the fiber surface, increased the fiber surface roughness and changed the surface morphologies obviously by plasma etching and oxidative reactions. It is also shown that the fiber surface wettability was improved significantly by oxygen plasma treatment. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sewage sludge is a cost-effective media for the production of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) based biopesticides. To enhance the entomotoxicity of the fermentation broth, pretreatments of sewage sludge by alkali and ultrasonic were applied in this study. Effects of alkaline and ultrasonic pretreatments on the soluble COD (SCOD) and total COD (TCOD) were evaluated by altering the alkali addition dose and the ultrasonic specific energy. Suitable pretreatment conditions were optimized with 5 g l−1 sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for alkaline treatment and 1.2 × 105 kJ kg−1 of total solid for ultrasonic treatment. Fermentations of raw and pretreated sludge for biopesticides were carried out in a bench scale fermentor. Results revealed that both pretreatments were effective for Bt growth and metabolism. Higher viable cells (VC) and viable spores (VS) counts, δ-endotoxin yields and entomotoxicity were achieved in the pretreated sludge. The enhancement was attributed to more available nutrients and better oxygen transfer. Moreover, ultrasonic pretreated sludge was superior to alkaline pretreated sludge for δ-endotoxin production and entomotoxicity owing to its higher soluble C/N ratio and finer particles.

Average pulse profiles of pulsar signals are analyzed using the bispectrum technique. The result shows that there are nonlinear phase couplings between the two frequency axes of the bispectrum charts, which indicate nonlinear factors in the generation and propagation of pulsar signals. Bispectra can be used as feature vectors of pulsar signals because of their being translation invariant. A one-dimension selected line spectrum algorithm for extracting pulsar signal characteristic is proposed. Compared with selected bispectra, the proposed selected line spectra have the maximum interclass separability measurements from the point of view of the whole one-dimension feature vector. Recognition experiments on several pulsar signals received at several frequency bands are carried out. The result shows that the selected line spectrum algorithm is suitable for extracting pulsar signal characteristics and has a good classification performance.

Electrochemical systems were built to investigate the degradation of benzotriazole (BTA) on boron-doped diamond (BUU) and PbO2 anodes and give an insight into the mineralization ability of two electrodes in terms of the amount and activity of hydroxyl radicals. Results of bulk electrolysis showed that both BDD and PbO2 displayed perfect BTA degradation performance after 12 hours' electrolysis, with the removal percentages of 99. 48% and 98. 36%, respectively, while the mineralization ability of BDD was much stronger than that of PbO2, with the efficiency of 87. 69% for BDD and 35. 96% for PbO2. Less hydroxyl radical and hydrogen production in BDD system suggested the less amount of active sites on BDD surface, thus further verified that the generated hydroxyl radical amount was not the primary factor determining the mineralization ability of anodes. However, BDD displayed larger binding energy of adsorbed oxygen and thinner adsorption layer than those of PbO2, indicating that the BDD electrode surface was of greater catalytic activity, thus the generated hydroxyl radicals were more free, which was the key to its better mineralization ability.

Bisphenol A is widely used for the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics, and it has been found in many wastewaters or surface waters. Adsorption of bisphenol A on sediments sampled from several representative hydrologic stations of the Yellow River was studied, and some factors that may affect the sorption of bisphenol A were analyzed using the LC-MS/MS following solid-phase extraction. The results show that neither linear nor Freundlich isotherms is fit to the experimental data due to the high carbonate content in sediments. Bisphenol A has greater adsorption after the elimination of the carbonate in the sediment, and the adsorption of bisphenol A on the treated sediment can be described by both the linear and the Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption amount of bisphenol A is related to both the total organic carbon and dissolved organic carbon of sediments. The effects of Ca2 + and K+ on the adsorption of bisphenol A were also studied. It is found that Ca2+ and K+ showed different effects on the adsorption of bisphenol A because of their different valences.

The present study examined effects of the combined administration of naloxone (NX) and indomethacin (IM) on nigrostriatal catecholamines and locomotor activity after intranigral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in Sprague-Dawley rats. NX plus IM was given 3 days after LPS injection; it significantly (P < .05) reversed LPS inflammation on nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) and nigral serotonin (5-HT) and nigral homovanillic acid (HVA)/DA ratio and nigrostriatal 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-HT ratio. It also tended to ameliorate the locomotor hyperactivity. However, NX plus IM given 30 min before LPS could not satisfactorily protect against LPS's damage both biochemically and behaviorally. These results reveal that NX plus IM may protect against LPS on DA, 5-HT, and motor function after LPS injection but not before. Thus it suggests that the combined treatment of NX and IM gives a potent therapy, but not prevention, of LPS-induced inflammation and also protect nigrostriatal dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems against LPS in rats.

Inflammation and neuronal degeneration of the substantia nigra (SN) occur in Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied the effects of intranigral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection on adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Locomotor activity measurement, neurotransmitter determination and perfusion fixation for immunohistochemistry were done on the 7th day. Bilateral LPS injection increased locomotor activity 2- to 3-fold. In the SN, dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) decreased but the ratios dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)/DA, homovanillic acid (HVA)/DA and 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-HT increased. In the striatum, DA, DOPAC, HVA, 3-methoxytyramine and epinephrine decreased but HVA/DA and 5-HIAA/5HT ratios increased. Unilateral LPS decreased dopamineric neurons ipsilaterally but increased contralaterally. This study provides the first evidence of behavioral hyperactivity, epinephrine suppression and neuronal plasticity in the LPS model of PD.

To evaluate the quality of life and influencing factors on patients with multiple myeloma (MM).227 MM cases were selected at 5 hospitals in Xi'an from August, 2010 to March, 2013. QLQ-C30 was used to evaluate the quality of life of MM patients, and their norms were as control. Factors which influencing the quality of life were investigated and analyzed with SPSS 17.0 software.The total score of quality of life in MM patients was 49.0±21.7 which was lower than the norms (60.7±23.4). The scores on fatigue, nausea, vomiting, pain, short of breath, disturbance on sleeping, losing appetite, constipation, other symptoms and financial difficulty were significantly higher than data of the norms (P0.05). Factors as being elderly (especially those older than 70), under higher proportion of medical costs on their own expense or financial difficulty etc., had major influences on the quality of life (P0.05) of MM patients who in particular having worse quality of life when in worsening clinical ISS stage (P0.05). Low level of hemoglobin, high level of serum calcium and globulin all significantly reduced the quality of life of the MM patients (P0.05).The quality of life of MM patients was significantly lower than the normal people or patients with other tumors. Fatigue, pain, and financial difficulty were main influencing factors on the quality of life of MM patients. The assessment on the effects of treatment should relate to the improvement of hemoglobin, serum calcium and globulin, which could all improve the quality of life of MM patients.

Effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) on striatal levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and their metabolites, as well as on locomotor activity were investigated in C57BL/6 mice. The results showed that MPTP significantly increased locomotor activity and decreased striatal DA levels. However, injection of the serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7-DHT in the striatum, either alone or following high doses of MPTP, significantly decreased locomotor activity, and concomitantly decreased striatal levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA. This study suggests that the increased locomotor activity may be due to increased striatal serotonergic activity which overcompensates for the DA deficiency. The locomotor hypoactivity, induced by 5,7-DHT, might be due to the decreased striatal levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA.

To mimic chronic exposure to neurotoxins in inducing dopaminergic cell damage, multiple doses of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were injected in C57BL/6 mice. Effects of pre- and post-treatment with the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) by injections into the striatum were investigated. GDNF exerts protective and reverse effects on the dopaminergic damage, supporting the potential application of GDNF in prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease.

The present study examined the effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) on striatal levels of dopamine (DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and their metabolites homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA), respectively, as well as their influence on locomotor activity in conscious C57BL/6 mice. High doses (s.c., 35-45 mg/kg per day for 10 days) of MPTP resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in locomotor activity and a marked decrease of striatal DA levels. Concomitantly, the ratios of HVA to DA and 5-HIAA to 5-HT increased significantly, the latter reflecting increased 5-HIAA levels. In contrast, i.c.v. administration of the serotonergic neurotoxin 5,7-DHT, either alone or following high doses (40 mg/kg per day for 10 days) of MPTP, decreased locomotor activity. Furthermore, striatal levels of 5-HT and 5-HIAA as well as the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio decreased significantly. Thus, the increased locomotor activity induced by chronic high doses of MPTP might be due to increased striatal 5-HT levels which appear to compensate for the loss of DA. Furthermore, the locomotor hypoactivity induced by 5,7-DHT may be secondary to the striatal 5-HT deficiency.

The two-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were constructed with excess sludge as the anodic substrate and CuSO4 solution as the catholyte. The start up method, degradation of the anodic sludge, removal of the Cu2+ and products on cathode were investigated in the study. The results of batch experiments showed that Cu2+ can be used as cathodic electron acceptors, e. g. a stable voltage output of 0.478 V and a maximum power density of 536 mW/m3 were obtained at external resistance of 1 000 omega and Cu2+ concentration of 6 400 mg/L. The Cu2+ contained in wastewater could be removed effectively by the MFC process, e. g. 97.8% of Cu2+ was removed in a MFC reactor at the end of 288 h with initial Cu2+ concentration of 1 000 mg/L and external resistance of 0 omega. The cathodic products depended on cathodic reducibility, most of Cu2+ was deposited as Cu2O and a small part as Cu4 (OH), 6SO4 with lower cathodic reducibility, metal copper deposited on the cathode with higher cathodic reducibility. Using excess sludge as anodic substrate could support the MFCs for long-term operation. The acclimation stage of the exoelectrogenic bacteria on the anode had an impact on MFC performance and cathodic reduction of Cu2+, and the stability of exoelectrogenic biofilm on anode could be determined by monitoring the anode potential. The MFC with excess sludge as anodic substrate can degrade organic matter in sludge and accomplish Cu(2+) -containing wastewater treatment and copper recovery simultaneously.

The electricity generation performance of a microbial fuel cell (MFC) utilizing Dioscorea zingiberensis wastewater was studied with an H-shape reactor. Indexes including pH, conductivity, oxidation peak potential and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the anolyte were monitored to investigate the contaminants degradation performance of the MFC during the electricity generation process, besides, contaminant ingredients in anodic influent and effluent were analyzed by GC-MS and IR spectra as well. The maximum power density of the MFC could achieve 118.1 mW/m2 and the internal resistance was about 480 omega. Connected with a 1 000 omega external resistance, the output potential was about 0.4 V. Fed with 5 mL Dioscorea zingiberensis wastewater, the electricity generation lasted about 133 h and the coulombic efficiency was about 3.93%. At the end of electricity generation cycle, COD decreased by 90.1% while NH4(+) -N decreased by 66.8%. Furfural compounds, phenols and some other complicated organics could be decomposed and utilized in the electricity generation process, and the residual contaminants in effluent included some long-chain fatty acids, esters, ethers, and esters with benzene ring, cycloalkanes, cycloolefins, etc. The results indicate that MFC, which can degrade and utilize the organic contaminants in Dioscorea zingiberensis wastewater simultaneously, provides a new approach for resource recovery treatment of Dioscorea zingiberensis wastewater.

A comparative study was conducted two epigeic species earthworms (Bimastus parvus and Eisenia foetida) for the evaluation of their efficacy in vermicomposting of sewage sludge. The various changes studied during pot experiments were the physiochemical properties of the sewage sludge, sludge reduction and earthworm biomass. Vermicomposting resulted that both epigeic species earthworms showed same capability among sewage sludge mineralization and decomposition rate and reduction. By the end of experiment, the pH value declined to 6.27 with B. parvus and 7.07 with E. foetida, but both epigeic species earthworms showed same mineralization and decomposition rate. B. parvus produced 31.96%, 5.76% and 17.91% increases in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium as well as 44.14% and 30.69% decreases in C/N and C/P ratios as compared to initial after 30 days of inoculation. In contrast, E. foetida produced 35.48% and 11.58% increases in nitrogen and potassium as well as 10.12%, 46.73% and 20.50% decreases in phosphorus, C/N and C/P ratios as compared to initial after 30 days of earthworm activity. At the same time, both epigeic species earthworms resulted in significant reduction in heavy metal content. The reduction in heavy metal content for B. parvus and E. foetida was found in the order: ZnCuPbCr and CuZnPhCr. At the end of experiment, the weight and cocoons of B. parvus and E. foetida showed significant increase, which the growth rate and the reproductive rate were 76%-86% and 156%-131% respectively.

Based on the data of surface phytoplankton investigated by Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department in Shenzhen Bay in 2006, variation characteristics of phytoplankton communities and the relationship between the phytoplankton diversity indices and environmental factors were analyzed in the present paper. Results showed that a total of 27 genera and 34 species of phytoplankton were identified. Of these, 18 were diatoms (52.94%), 10 were dinoflagellates (29.41%), 6 were from other minor groups (17.65%). The cell abundance was estimated to be from 2.13 x 10(6) to 4.15 x 10(6) cells/L, with an average of 2.92 x 10(6) cells/L. The maximum cell abundance appeared in the autumn (October), followed in spring (May). The cell abundance showed double abundance peaks annually. The cell abundance of phytoplankton decreased from the middle bay to the bay mouth. In the marine area, the diversity index of the phytoplankton ranged from 0.76 to 2.52; the evenness of phytoplankton ranged from 0.29 to 0.74; the diversity and evenness of phytoplankton community were rather low, which indicated that the relative abundances of the species diverged from evenness, phytoplankton community were not steady, and only few dominant species increased rapidly. The species richness index ranged from 0.57 to 2.17, the high eutrophic water body caused the species richness index declined. Better relationship was found between phytoplankton diversity indices and nutrient, salinity, dissolved oxygen.

Based on the field data of Shenzhen coastal water quality in 2002-2007, variation characteristics of nutrients including NH4+ -N, NO3- -N, NO2- -N, PO4(3-) -P and DIN were presented. And the correlationships between nutrients and pH, salinity were also investigated. Furthermore, eutrophication index (E), organic pollution index (A) and potential eutrophication were employed to assess the eutrophication degree of Shenzhen coastal waters. Results show that the nutrient levels of east coast are higher than that of west coast. And the peak year of nutrients are 2002 and 2006. The average concentrations of PO4(3-) -P and DIN are 0.007 mg/L and 0.078 mg/L for Shenzhen east coast while 0.090 mg/L and 1.544 mg/L for west coast. Nutrients in Shenzhen coastal waters have negative correlations with pH and salinity. The N/P ratios are all far more than 16 indicating that Shenzhen coast belongs to seriously P-limiting water. Eutrophication degree of Shenzhen east coast is far lower than that of west coast, and the average eutrophication index of east coast is 0.11 while 42.15 for west coast. Furthermore, west coast is classified as P-limiting moderate level potential eutrophication area and even as P-limiting potential eutrophication level.

The possibility of electricity generation in a single chamber microbial fuel cell fed with Dioscorea zingiberensis C. H. Wright wastewater was demonstrated, and the effects of COD and SO4(2-) concentration on MFC performance were investigated. Under the same conductivity and COD concentration, the power density generated from wastewater equaled to 80.3% of that from glucose. At low COD concentration, the electricity generation increased with increasing COD loading rates, and the maximum power density was 322 mW/m2; while the COD concentration was enhanced over 2766 mg/L, the stable times for electricity generation was reduced and the MFC could not recover to previous performance as refueling. That indicates high COD loading rates would inhibit microbial activity. The COD removal rates varied from 68.2% to 84.8%, and it decreased when COD concentration climbed up. The power density was enhanced with SO4(2-) concentration increasing up to 7716 mg/L (Conductivity8.19 mS/cm) after which no further improvements in power density were observed. The maximum power density of the wastewater containing SO4(2-) was lower by 14.5% on average than that of the wastewater which removed SO4(2-). And its coulombic efficiencies declined substantially as SO4(2-) concentration increasing, which imply that the SO4(2-) is deoxidized as the electron acceptor, which takes the MFC efficiency down.

With the aim to enhance visible-light absorbance, calcination combined with light irradiation was used to modify nanosized AgI/TiO2. UV-Vis spectrum curves indicated that the modified sample exhibited an intense absorption in the whole visible light range and a spectrum shifted from 465 nm to 800 nm, and that absorbance at 500 nm was improved three times as much as that of the reported pertinent material. XRD analytic results demonstrated that calcined AgI/TiO2 possessed more rutile phase with reduced band gap from 2.89 eV to 2.81 eV, and that the following xenon-light irradiation further enhanced the relative contents of anatase TiO2, rutile TiO2 and AgI accompanied with produced AgCl phase, leading to the decrease in band gap to 1.55 eV. Formation of AgCl and increases in the relative contents of rutile TiO2 and AgI should take the main responsibilities for the decrease in the band gap and enlargement of visible-light absorbance. Additionally, it was confirmed that only the spectrum absorption of the calcined AgI/TiO2 could be improved by light irradiation, and that ultraviolet light played more role than visible part during the light irradiation. Moreover, it was proposed here that two or more silver halides supported on TiO2 could show more capabilities to stimulate visible-light activation of TiO2.

Experimental studies were conducted on the effect of temperature on the Pb2+ biosorption with aerobic granules seeding with floccular activated sludge. The results showed that the aerobic granules manly comprised the elements of C, H, N, O and P. According to the elemental compositions of the microbial granules, the corresponding empirical formula of the granules can be determined as C5.7 H10.9 O3.9 NS0.04. ESEM results showed many coccoid bacteria were visiable on the granule surface with porous structure. Both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm equations could describe the biosorption process well (R20.914)under various temperature (20-40 degrees C). The maximum biosorption capacity (Q(max)) increased from 80.65 mg x g(-1) (20 degrees C) to 97.09 mg x g(-1) (40 degrees C). The values of thermodynamic parameters (deltaG0, deltaH0, deltaS0) indicated the biosorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Moreover, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results demonstrated that such active groups as -OH, -COOH and P = O were involved in Pb2+ biosorption but nothing to do with nitrogen-containing groups.

Corn steepwater containing 49,732.2 mg/L of chemical oxygen demand (COD) was used as fuel for a membrane electrode assembly microbial fuel cell (MEA-MFC), which could generate electricity and treat the wastewater at the same time. During a batch experiment of 94 days with a fixed 1,000 Omega external resistance, the maximum voltage output of 525.0 mV and power density of 169.6 mW/m2 were obtained after 17 days, corresponding to the current density, internal resistance and open voltage of 440.2 mA/m2, 350 Omega and 619.5 mV, respectively. However, data showed that the coulombic efficiency was only 1.6%, suggesting very limited COD was utilized for electricity generation. At the conclusion of the test, the removals of COD and ammonia-nitrogen were achieved 51.6% and 25.8%, respectively. This study demonstrates that corn steepwater can be used for power generation in MFC with simultaneous accomplishments of wastewater treatment, providing a novel approach for the safe disposal and recycle of corn steepwater.

A bacterial strain that could degrade bromoamine acid (BAA) as the sole carbon source was isolated. It was identified as Sphingomonas sp. based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and physio-biochemical characteristics. Under the optimal growth conditions, with temperature of 30 degrees C, pH of 7.0, rotating rate of 100 r/min and (NH4)2SO4 as the nitrogen source, the decolorization percentage of BAA (100 mg/L) could reach 99% within 14 h. NaCl of low concentration (2%) facilitated the decolorization, while NaCl of higher concentration (or = 2%) had inhibition effect. The effect of initial BAA concentration on decolorization could be described by the Haldane model, and the optimal specific decolorization rate of 1.4 h(-1) could be obtained when the initial concentration of BAA was 1393.5 mg/L. The strain could not mineralize BAA completely, and 52.4% of the total organic carbon was removed at the end of the reaction. The analysis of metabolites using GC-MS and HPLC-MS showed that phthalic acid was the metabolic intermediate which could be further degraded through 3, 4-dihydroxybenzoic acid route and serve as the growth substrate, and the end product was estimated to be either 2-amino-3-hydroxy-5-bromobenzenesulfonic acid or 2-amino-4-hydroxy-5-bromobenzenesulfonic acid.

The simulative wastewater containing Acid Orange 7 (AO7) of 300 mg/L was electrolytically treated by a three-phase three-dimensional electrode reactor. Particular attention was paid on the comparison of treatment efficiency of different cathodes in the system. Intermediate products and concentration of *OH and H2O2 were further investigated using HPLC, UV-Vis scan and GC-MS, with the purpose of investigating the electrolysis behavior of AO7 with different cathodes. Results showed that activated carbon fiber (ACF) cathode was more effective than graphite or stainless steel cathode. Despite all of the three investigated cathodes showed high efficiency in the decolorization of AO7 (more than 96% after 60 min of electrolysis under 20 V), the TOC removal ratio of ACF system (57.4%) was much higher than those of the other two. Although the generation of *OH and H2O2 were both found in the three systems, the concentration in the system with ACF as the cathode was much higher than those in the other two, which resulted in the better mineralization ability. Moreover, the same degradation route of AO7 was found in the three systems, which involved the generation of ketone and naphthol compounds.

A quinoline-degrading bacterium QL2, which utilizes quinoline as sole source of carbon, nitrogen and energy, was isolated from activated sludge in a coke-plant wastewater biological treatment system. According to the morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and sequence analysis of 16S rRNA, the strain was identified as Rhodococcus sp.. The optimal temperature, initial pH, and shaker rotary speed for strain QL2 utilizing quinoline are 35-42 degrees C, pH 8-9, and 150 r/min, respectively. Extra nitrogen sources stimulate the isolate growth on quinoline, and inorganic nitrogen better than organic nitrogen, NH4+ -N better than NO3(-) -N. The degradation reaction of quinoline by strain QL2 can be described with zero order kinetic equation within the initial quinoline concentrations of 60-680 mg/L. When the initial concentration was 150 mg/L, quinoline was degraded completely in 8 hours and TOC removal efficiency was 70% in 14 hours. This bacterium produced pigmented compounds, and ring nitrogen was released into the growth medium as ammonium. The main intermediate in the degradation pathway was 2-hydroxyquinoline by the analysis of HPLC and GC/MS. With a broad range of substrate utilization, the strain can degrade phenol, naphthalene, pyridine, and some other kinds of aromatic compounds.

Coking wastewater was treated by A/O process of biological filter with a special kind of carrier. The wastewater contained much more phenolic compounds with about 2000 mg/L of COD and 260 mg/L of NH4+ -N. The A/O system could achieve average removal efficiencies of 87.0% and 91.6% for COD and NH4+ -N, respectively, when HRT was 60 h. The NH4+ -N in the effluent could meet the first level of National Discharge Standard at optimal operation condition. The phenolic compounds with low molecular weight could be fully biodegraded by A/O system. The organic compounds in the effluent were in the relative molecular weight range of 10,000-30,000 and contained --OH, C==O, C--O and phenyl group. Based on the support and protection of the carrier, a great number of microorganisms adhered and immobilized on the outer and inner surface of carrier, which contributed to a simultaneous removal of COD, NH4+ -N and TN. The A/O system biological filter showed a characteristic of steady performance and resistance ability during the operation period.