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Abstract In this work, we developed a clean and efficient process for recycling rare earth elements from waste CRT phosphors. A mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide was used for the oxidative leaching of the rare earth elements, and the leaching efficiencies of both Y and Eu reached 99% under the optimal leaching conditions: 3 M H 2 SO 4 , 4 vol.% H 2 O 2 , 55 °C, and 1 h. The S2− was oxidized to S0, which efficiently avoided the sulfur pollution produced by existing technologies. The green solvent ionic liquid [OMIm][PF 6 ] and the extractant Cyanex272 were employed for the separation of the rare earths. The optimal extraction parameters were determined to be 0.2 mol/L H 2 SO 4 , 0.4 vol.% of Cyanex272 in the organic phase, a 10:1 A/O ratio, and an extraction time of 20 min at room temperature, under which, the individual extraction efficiencies of Y, Eu, Zn, and Al were 99%, 87, 8%, and 0%, respectively, and the separation factor of rare earth to Zn reached 593. Additionally, the extraction system could be recycled and reused by stripping. The mechanisms of the leaching and extraction process were also analyzed. Based on a kinetics study, the leaching process was found to follow the model of diffusion-control via the product layer, and the apparent activation energies for Y and Eu were calculated to be 75.86 kJ/mol and 77.06 kJ/mol, respectively. Meanwhile, a simulated leaching model based on diffusion through the solid S0 layer was established. The synergistic extraction mechanism was also discussed, and a cation exchange reaction was speculated to occur between the rare earth elements and Cyanex272. The findings in this study are expected to provide an effective and practical method for the recovery and reutilization of waste CRT phosphors. Graphical abstract An efficient recovery process was designed for waste CRT phosphors. Image 1 Highlights • REs were recycled efficiently by oxidative leaching and IL based extraction. • The leaching kinetics was investigated systematically. • The reaction mechanisms of the leaching and extraction process were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution, sources, and risk assessment of eight quinotone antibiotics (QNs) in the surface sediments from the wetland in Jiaozhou Bay were investigated. The results showed that QNs were detected in all samples, and the total concentrations of QNs in the sediments ranged from 0.276 to 5.229 ng/g. The highest concentration occurred at the entrance to the Yang River wetland. Principal component analysis suggested that the QNs mainly originated from sewage discharges from hospitals, human and aquaculture industries. Risk assessment, based on risk quotients, indicated the current ofloxacin level might be a medium risk level, while other QNs were all low risk. Nevertheless, there should still be concerns due to high consumption of QNs by human beings, animals, and aquatic organisms in the wetland. This investigation provides baseline data that the government can use as a reference guide to control QNs residues in Jiaozhou Bay wetland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improved assessment of meat intake with the use of metabolomics-derived markers can provide objective data and could be helpful in clarifying proposed associations between meat intake and health.Objective: The objective of this study was to identify novel markers of chicken intake using a metabolomics approach and use markers to determine intake in an independent cohort.Methods: Ten participants [age: 62 y; body mass index (in kg/m2): 28.25] in the NutriTech food intake study consumed increasing amounts of chicken, from 88 to 290 g/d, in a 3-wk span. Urine and blood samples were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, respectively. A multivariate data analysis was performed to identify markers associated with chicken intake. A calibration curve was built based on dose-response association using NutriTech data. A Bland-Altman analysis evaluated the agreement between reported and calculated chicken intake in a National Adult Nutrition Survey cohort.Results: Multivariate data analysis of postprandial and fasting urine samples collected in participants in the NutriTech study revealed good discrimination between high (290 g/d) and low (88 g/d) chicken intakes. Urinary metabolite profiles showed differences in metabolite levels between low and high chicken intakes. Examining metabolite profiles revealed that guanidoacetate increased from 1.47 to 3.66 mmol/L following increasing chicken intakes from 88 to 290 g/d (P < 0.01). Using a calibration curve developed from the NutriTech study, chicken intake was calculated through the use of data from the National Adult Nutrition Survey, in which consumers of chicken had a higher guanidoacetate excretion (0.70 mmol/L) than did nonconsumers (0.47 mmol/L; P < 0.01). A Bland-Altman analysis revealed good agreement between reported and calculated intakes, with a bias of -30.2 g/d. Plasma metabolite analysis demonstrated that 3-methylhistidine was a more suitable indicator of chicken intake than 1-methylhistidine.Conclusions: Guanidoacetate was successfully identified and confirmed as a marker of chicken intake, and its measurement in fasting urine samples could be used to determine chicken intake in a free-living population. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01684917. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The geochemistry of rare earth elements (REE) in surface sediment from Cuarteron reef (N1), Johnson reef (N2), Hugh reef (N3), Gaven reef (N4), Fiery cross reef (N5), and Subi reef (N6) were firstly studied. The total REE abundance (∑ REE) varied from 2.244 μg·g − 1 to 21.661 μg·g − 1 , with an average of 4.667 μg·g − 1 . The LREE/HREE was from 2.747 to 9.869, with an average of 3.687, which indicated that the light REE was evidently enriched. Fractionation was observed between LREE and HREE. Gd with a negative anomaly was also detected in all of the stations. The negative anomalies of δEu from 0.11 to 0.25, with an average of 0.22, and the positive anomalies of δCe from 1.38 to 3.86, with an average of 1.63. The REE individual correlation values with Ca, Mn, Mg, Sr were r Ca = − 0.05, r Mn = 0.26, r Mg = − 0.14, and r Sr = 0.08. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with tip-growth mechanism were generated at 600 °C. • More amorphous carbon and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were formed at 700 °C. • H 2 yield exhibited the "N" type trend as temperature increasing from 500 °C to 800 °C. • H 2 yield at 600 °C was higher than that at 700 °C due to the self-activation of CNTs. • Self-assembled CNTs@Ni foam at 600 °C performed best electrochemical performance. The H 2 production and self-assembly CNTs over Ni-Fe/Ni foam catalyst were investigated at different temperatures during steam reforming of bio-oil model compound. The formation of CNTs, CNFs and amorphous carbon and their different effects on catalytic activity were analyzed. With the temperature increasing from 500 °C to 800 °C, the amount of carbon deposition firstly increased and then decreased. It showed the highest amount of carbon deposition and largest proportion of CNTs (over 60 %) at 600 °C. The average diameter of CNTs was 15.18 nm. By contrast, more than 70 % of carbon deposition was amorphous carbon, and the CNFs with larger diameter (over 100 nm) were formed at 700 °C, which attributed to the agglomeration of metal particles at high temperature. The high reaction temperatures increased H 2 yield and pyrrole conversion, but differently, those at 600 °C was remarkably higher than that at 700 °C. It revealed that tip-growth of CNTs at 600 °C performed the self-activation effect to increase the catalytic activity, while the amorphous carbon generated at 700 °C deactivated the catalyst. After the reaction at 600 °C, the self-assemble of CNTs@Ni foam material showed the highest electrochemistry performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphor powder from waste cathode ray tubes (CRT) was leached by acid leaching technology, and also, “H 2 SO 4 + H 2 O 2 ” system was utilized to reduce the release of poisonous gas H 2 S into atmosphere, single-factor method was used to determine the optimal operation conditions (H 2 SO 4 concentration, the volume of H 2 O 2 and H 2 SO 4 , temperature, time and the ratio of liquid and solid). Moreover, a quantitative analysis on recovery benefits was conducted to evaluate the effect of this method. Our results demonstrated that the recovery of Y and Eu has highly positive profits, as their price reached 1018.69 CNY/kg and 380.64 CNY/kg, separately. However, the recovery of Zn and Al has negative profits was due to its lower enrichment factors (EFs) and market price in comparison with Y and Eu. In general, this technology has a great potential to recover four major metals from waste phosphor powder, about 757.04 CNY per kilogram powder economic value can be produced using this process. Therefore, using “H 2 SO 4 + H 2 O 2 ” system for recycling Zn, Al, Y and Eu is a green and sustainable technology from waste cathode-ray tube fluorescent powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity impairs clearance of cholesterol through the Reverse Cholesterol Transport (RCT) pathway, with downregulation in hepatic expression of cholesterol and bile acid transporters, namely ABCG5/8 and ABCB11, and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC). In the current study, we hypothesized that the development of hepatosteatosis, secondary to adipose-tissue dysfunction, contributes to obesity-impaired RCT and that such effects could be mitigated using the anti-inflammatory drug sodium salicylate (NaS). C57BL/6J mice, fed HFD ± NaS or low-fat diet (LFD) for 24 weeks, underwent glucose and insulin tolerance testing. The 3H-cholesterol movement from macrophage-to-feces was assessed in vivo. HDL-CEC was determined ex vivo. Cytokine secretion from adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells was measured ex vivo. Liver and HDL proteins were determined by mass spectrometry and analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. NaS delayed HFD-induced weight gain, abrogated priming of pro-IL-1β in SVFs, attenuated insulin resistance, and prevented steatohepatitis (ectopic fat accumulation in the liver). Prevention of hepatosteatosis coincided with increased expression of PPAR-alpha/beta-oxidation proteins with NaS and reduced expression of LXR/RXR-induced proteins including apolipoproteins. The latter effects were mirrored within the HDL proteome in circulation. Despite remarkable protection shown against steatosis, HFD-induced hypercholesterolemia and repression of the liver-to-bile cholesterol transporter, ABCG5/8, could not be rescued with NaS. The cardiometabolic health benefits of NaS may be attributed to the reprogramming of hepatic metabolic pathways to increase fatty acid utilization in the settings of nutritional overabundance. Reduced hepatic cholesterol levels, coupled with reduced LXR/RXR-induced proteins, may underlie the lack of rescue of ABCG5/8 expression with NaS. This remarkable protection against HFD-induced hepatosteatosis did not translate to improvements in cholesterol homeostasis. [Display omitted] • Sodium salicylate (NaS) initially delays weight-gain in mice fed high-fat diet (HFD) - catch-up evident in weeks 12–24. • NaS prevents HFD-induced insulin resistance, hepatosteatosis and pro-IL-1β priming in adipose tissue even upon weight-gain. • Hepatic expression of proteins involved in beta oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation and TCA cycle upregulated with NaS. • Hepatic expression of LXR/RXR proteins eg. apolipoproteins reduced with NaS; these effects were mirrored in HDL proteome. • NaS failed to improve HFD-impaired Reverse Cholesterol Transport or hypercholesterolemia despite preventing hepatosteatosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated how protein quantity (10%–30%) and quality (casein and whey) interact with dietary fat (20%–55%) to affect metabolic health in adult mice. Although dietary fat was the main driver of body weight gain and individual tissue weight, high (30%) casein intake accentuated and high whey intake reduced the negative metabolic aspects of high fat. Jejunum and liver transcriptomics revealed increased intestinal permeability, low-grade inflammation, altered lipid metabolism, and liver dysfunction in casein-fed but not whey-fed animals. These differential effects were accompanied by altered gut size and microbial functions related to amino acid degradation and lipid metabolism. Fecal microbiota transfer confirmed that the casein microbiota increases and the whey microbiota impedes weight gain. These data show that the effects of dietary fat on weight gain and tissue partitioning are further influenced by the quantity and quality of the associated protein, primarily via effects on the microbiota. [Display omitted] • High dietary fat interacts with high casein and causes tissue expansion in mice • Changing the protein from casein to whey blunts tissue accruement • Alterations in gut microbiota are related to protein quality • Casein microbiota increases body size, and whey microbiota has the opposite effect High dietary fat intake causes excessive weight gain. Nychyk et al. show that, in mice, the detrimental effects of dietary fat are worse when it is consumed in high quantities and with milk-associated casein protein, whereas its effects are reduced dramatically when co-ingested with whey, an alternative milk-associated protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel one-step method for simultaneously producing a CNTs electrode material and H 2 was proposed. • Ni-Fe/Ni foam catalyst remarkably improved the H 2 production and pyrrole conversion compared with that of fresh Ni foam. • Nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes@Ni foam electrode has a large capacitance and an outstanding cyclability. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be formed during catalytic reforming of hydrocarbons with H 2 co-production over Ni-based catalysts. Normally, the formed CNTs need to be separated from original catalysts in order to be coated on the substrates to make high performance electrodes. To simplify the traditional preparation process, a novel one-step method for simultaneously producing a CNTs electrode material and H 2 was proposed. A Ni-Fe modified Ni foam (Ni-Fe/NF) was chosen as both catalyst and electrode substrate to in situ grow nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) during catalytic reforming of pyrrole. Pyrrole was selected as an N-containing model compound of biomass tar. The results showed that Ni-Fe nanoparticles on Ni-Fe/NF catalyst remarkably improved the H 2 production and pyrrole conversion, which increased by more than 20 times than those of fresh Ni foam. Besides, a significant amount of multi-walled CNTs with more than 40 graphite layers grew on the surface of spent catalyst and their diameters were mainly from 10 nm to 20 nm. N element was detected on the formed CNTs and the Graphitic-N was the main type of N-doping. The spent catalyst (N-CNTs@Ni foam) can be directly used as a composite electrode material with high performance and stability. Its electrochemical capacitance reached 855 mF/cm2 at a current density of 5 mA/cm2 and remained over 95% after 10,000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cushing's syndrome (CS) during pregnancy is very rare with a few cases reported in the literature. Of great interest, some cases of CS during pregnancy spontaneously resolve after delivery. Most studies suggest that aberrant luteinizing hormone (LH)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) receptor (LHCGR) seems to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of CS during pregnancy. However, not all women during pregnancy are observed cortisol hypersecretion. Moreover, some cases of adrenal tumors or macronodular hyperplasia with LHCGR expressed, have no response to hCG or LH. Therefore, alternative pathogenic mechanisms are indicated. It has been recently reported that estrogen binding to estrogen receptor α (ERα) could enhance the adrenocortical adenocarcinoma (ACC) cell proliferation. Herein, we hypothesize that ERα is probably involved in CS development during pregnancy. Better understanding of the possible mechanism of ERα on cortisol production and adrenocortical tumorigenesis will contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of CS during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recovery of Eu from BAM phosphors by a Na 2 O 2 system was developed and its decomposition kinetics and mechanism were investigated. • Eu was replaced by Na 2 O 2 from BAM and was recycled efficiently followed by acid leaching. • The decomposition kinetics of BAM was investigated systematically. • The phase transformation process of the decomposition was analyzed. • A probable reaction mechanism of BAM decomposition by Na 2 O 2 was proposed. An efficient process for recycling Eu from BaMgAl 11 O 19 : Eu3+ (BAM) waste phosphors has been developed. The treatment of BAM by the sodium peroxide (Na 2 O 2) calcining process followed by acid leaching was investigated. The results demonstrated that the calcination temperature and time more significantly influence the recovery efficiencies of metals than does the mass ratio of Na 2 O 2 to BAM. More than 99% of Eu was recovered under the optimal conditions of 425 °C, mass ratio 1:1 and 30 min duration. The decomposition kinetics of BAM were studied using a series of typical solid-solid reaction kinetic models. The apparent activation energies E a for the decomposition reactions of Eu, Ba, Al and Mg were calculated as 52.3 kJ/mol, 64.6 kJ/mol, 87.1 kJ/mol and 88.9 kJ/mol, respectively. XRD analysis indicated that the decomposition of BAM involved a multistep reaction. The reaction mechanism was also analyzed at the crystal structure level, which indicated that Ba and Eu atoms in the mirror plane of the unit cell of BAM were replaced by Na from Na 2 O 2 at the beginning, and that BaO 2 and Na 2 MgAl 10 O 17 were produced. Then, Na 2 MgAl 10 O 17 was decomposed to NaAl 7 O 11 and MgAl 2 O 4 , and finally, NaAlO 2 , MgO, BaCO 3 and Eu 2 O 3 were generated at a higher temperature (600 °C). SEM and EDS analysis also demonstrated the proposed substitution and decomposition reactions. This work is expected to open new avenues and provides a theoretical basis for the highly efficient recovery of Eu from waste rare earth phosphors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Postmortem quality changes of black carp muscle were evaluated. [•] Low salt and sugar dry-curing can keep a good quality of black carp fillet. [•] Low salt and sugar dry-curing reduced biogenic amine production of black carp fillet. [•] Sugar treatment reduced pH value and decreased TVB-N production of black carp fillet. [•] Low salt and sugar dry-curing is a safe and healthy preservation for freshwater fish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of clove bud extract (CBE) and grape seed extract (GSE) as natural antioxidants for retarding lipid and protein oxidation in silver carp fillets stored at 4±1°C. The results indicate that CBE exhibited higher total phenolic content, DPPH and Fe2+-chelating activity than GSE. GSE and a 20-times dilution of CBE were found to be effective in retarding lipid and protein oxidation; both treatments resulted in low levels of PV and TBA, and protected against the decrease of L ∗, a ∗, salt-soluble protein content and total sulfhydryl group. CBE20 more efficiently inhibited lipid oxidation than did GSE. The antioxidant effect of the two extracts on protein oxidation was less pronounced than the effect on lipid oxidation. CBE20 and GSE could be used as natural antioxidants to minimize lipid and protein oxidation and to extend shelf life of fillets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Ni-Fe alloy was formed and played dual promoting effects on the co-production. • The alloy improved the decomposition performance of toluene and H 2 O. • More formation of carbon species and metal carbides promoted the growth of CNTs. • The interaction between Ni particle and support was weakened after Fe addition. • The addition of Fe suppressed the deposition of amorphous carbon. Fe-modified Ni/Al 2 O 3 catalysts with Fe/Ni molar ratios of 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 were prepared to promote the co-production of H 2 and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during steam reforming of toluene as a tar model compound. After the addition of Fe, toluene conversion increased from 55.1% of Ni/Al 2 O 3 to 73.6% of F1N1A (Fe/Ni ratio of 1), and H 2 yield over F1N1A reached the maximum of more than 2000 mmol/(g-cata). Multi-walled carbon nanotubes with average diameter of 10–30 nm were generated and follow tip-growth mechanism. Compared with Ni/Al 2 O 3 , the addition of Fe remarkably increased the amount and quality of CNTs which had longer length and less tortuosity. These dual promoting effects on H 2 and CNTs after the addition of Fe were attributed to the strong interaction between Ni and Fe in Fe-Ni alloy. Fe-Ni alloy had the high activity for the decomposition performance of toluene and H 2 O to generate more H 2 and intermediates for improving the reforming reaction. Meanwhile, the high catalytic decomposition activity supplied more carbon species and the formation of Fe-Ni alloy enhanced the generation of metal carbide for promoting CNTs growth. Besides, the deposition of amorphous carbon was suppressed and the interaction between Ni particle and catalyst support was weakened after the addition of Fe, which kept the activity of catalyst and promoted the tip-growth of CNTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a newly identified form of pollutant in the ocean, microplastics are receiving more and more attention from researchers. In order to evaluate the potential impact of microplastics, it is important to have comprehensive knowledge of the current microplastic situation. This study analyzed the abundance, polymer type, size, shape and color of microplastics in the seawater and sediments of Jiaozhou Bay, China, a semi-enclosed bay highly affected by surrounding human activities. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics were carried out using stereo microscope and attenuated total reflection micro-Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (ATR-μ-FT-IR). The abundance of microplastics in the bay seawater samples ranged between 20 items/m3 and 120 items/m3. The abundance of microplastics in sediment samples in the bay were between 7 items/kg d.w. and 25 items/kg d.w. The microplastics were mainly in black and blue colors with fiber being the dominant shape in all samples. All microplastics identified were smaller than 4 mm in this study. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the main type of microplastics, followed by polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). Both the abundance and types of microplastics show positive correlations between the seawater and sediment samples. Microplastic polymer types in the bay showed close match to the polymer types in the estuaries. Relatively higher abundance of microplastics tended to be found in the area where there were residual currents and sediment transport trends. Our study showed riverine input is an important contributor to the microplastics in the bay and physical factors such as residual currents would greatly affect the aggregation of microplastics. Unlabelled Image • The distribution of microplastics in Jiaozhou Bay of China was studied. • The dominant microplastics polymer types in Jiaozhou Bay were PET, PP and PE. • Microplastics in seawater and sediments show positive correlations. • More microplastics were found in areas with residual currents and sedimentary trends. • River input contributed to the distribution of microplastics in the bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Sichuan Basin (SB), covering 260,000 km2 immediately to the east of the Tibetan Plateau (TP) with a large drop exceeding 3000 m in elevation over a short horizontal distance, is a region of high haze pollution in China. The terrain effects of this unique deep basin on haze pollution have not been well investigated. During 14–19 January 2014, heavy haze pollution engulfed the SB with high PM 2.5 concentrations. By using the WRF-Chem model, the topographic effects on haze pollution in the SB and the underlying mechanisms were investigated by two sets of simulation with and without the basin topography. The simulation results show that the SB topography lead to an increase of 48 μg m−3 in the basin-averaged surface PM 2.5 contributing about 44% to the PM 2.5 concentrations during heavy haze pollution, indicating an important role of the basin topography in worsening air pollution. The surface PM 2.5 level enhancements varied spatially from 0 to 30 μg m−3 in the eastern basin to 60–120 μg m−3 in the western basin, respectively corresponding to 0–20% and 50–70% relative to the concentrations simulated without the SB topographic condition, reflecting the stronger topographic effect of the TP in the western SB. The topographic effects intensify the haze pollution via reducing wind speed, raising air temperature and humidity in the lower troposphere, as well as dropping boundary layer height in the basin. Resulted from the impact of TP on mid-latitude westerly winds, a typical leeside vortex of immediately upstream TP over the basin was developed with accentuating PM 2.5 accumulations in the basin, implying a strong influence of TP on air quality in the SB. Highlights • An important role of the basin topography in worsening haze pollution. • Terrain effects of basin on haze via changing thermal and dynamic structures in atmosphere. • Mechanical and thermal forcing effects of Tibetan Plateau on the downstream air quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Micro-logging and small refraction were conducted to determine observation system and static correction models. • The post-stack wave equation for the PR splitting finite difference was used for migration imagery. • Imaging section was converted into geological model by seismic interpretation technologies. • The favorable areas of karst fissure heat storage and exploration holes were calibrated. The seismic exploration was used to explore the potential geothermal resource and geological structure in Xian County, N China. Micro-logging was used to conduct surveys on the velocity structure near the surface, the static correction models and the observation system was determined by this method. By testing different borehole depths and different quantities of explosives, the best experimental parameters were obtained in a series of test locations and in two test sections. The surface differences were eliminated by the static correction, and an interference wave survey was conducted to improve the data signal to noise ratio (SNR). The post-stack wave equation for the PR splitting finite difference was used for migration imagery, and post-stack, underground imaging profiles were obtained. The corrected seismic signals were then interpreted, and converted into geological information. The results showed that the burial depths and morphology in each layer had been successfully obtained. The areas favorable for heat storage in karst fissures were mainly in the Jixian Formation and the Cambrian–Ordovician. Our investigation allowed us to predict and calibrate favorable locations for two geothermal energy exploration holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, FeVO 4 materials were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method under different pHs and developed as highly efficient biomimetic catalysts for the first time. Different FeVO 4 materials with different crystal structures, morphologies and surface properties showed distinct peroxidase-like activities. Experimental results showed that the products obtained at pH = 4 (FeVO 4 -4) possessed a belt-like nanostructure with a large BET specific surface area and exhibited the best intrinsic peroxidase-like activity compared to other FeVO 4 materials. FeVO 4 -4 nanobelts (NBs) could efficiently catalyze the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H 2 O 2 to generate a blue oxide. Based on the highly efficient catalytic activity of FeVO 4 -4 NBs, a novel system for optical determination of H 2 O 2 was successfully established, and the detection limit of H 2 O 2 could reach 0.2 μM. FeVO 4 -4 NBs also exhibited excellent selectivity, reproducibility, long-term stability, and easy recovery property. Furthermore, a peroxidase mimetic mechanism of FeVO 4 -4 NBs was proposed based on the active species trapping experiments. This work developed a novel, accessible and highly sensitive system for visual detection of H 2 O 2 , making FeVO 4 -4 NBs a potential biomimetic catalysts in H 2 O 2 detection and biomedical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to characterise the metabolome of bovine colostrum and milk in the initial days of lactation. Colostrum and milk samples were collected from 18 cows representing an even spread of 1st, 2nd and 3rd lactation (n = 6) over the first 6 days of lactation. Samples were subsequently analysed using 1H-NMR. The metabolome of defatted colostrum and milk in the days immediately post parturition was demonstrated to be complex and changed significantly over time. The colostrum was rich in nutrients beneficial for growth and development of the new-born mammal with significantly higher levels of essential branched chain amino acids and choline and orotic acid that decreased in the subsequent days as milk composition evolved to that of regular milk. Multivariate analysis of metabolome profiles using PLS-DA was demonstrated to clearly distinguish between colostrum and subsequent milk samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]