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Microbial fuel cell (MFC) can be used as a potential technology for degradation of organic contaminant. In order to improve the efficiency of MFC treating the biogas slurry (BS), a comparison between the pretreatments of aerobic static culture and aeration was studied. The nitrogen and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and electricity production capacity of BS-MFC was investigated. The results showed that the total degradation rate of NH 4 +-N in BS after the aeration coupled with MFC treatment reached 95.70 %, which was 12.97 % higher than that of the aerobically statically cultivated BS. The coulombic efficiency (CE) of the aeration-treated BS participating the reaction in MFC was always higher than that of the aerobically cultivated group. The relative abundance of Chloroflexi , which plays an important role in nitrogen metabolism, accounted for a smaller proportion in the MFC reaction effluent after aeration treatment. While, the denitrification bacteria Patescibacteria was slightly enhanced. The aeration-treated BS also stimulated the growth of electrochemically active microorganisms Gammaproteobacteria in the MFC system. The results of this study showed that pretreatment of the BS with aeration was more favorable to improve the efficiency of the BS-MFC, which provided informative suggestions for the improvement of MFC. [Display omitted] • Aeration pre-treatment improves the efficiency of the BS-MFC. • The degradation of NH+ 4 -N in the BS after aeration and MFC reaction is 95.70 %. • CE of the aeration-treated BS in the MFC reaction is 53.85 %. • Aeration treatment stimulates the growth of Patescibacteria in BS-MFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Cotton fiber modified with succinic anhydride is beneficial to cell adhesion. • The deletion of PAS_chr2-1_0773 gene promotes the formation of biofilm. • The carrier and cell surface properties determine the immobilization effect. • The fermentation performance was improved by optimizing the carrier and strain. Compared with the traditional suspension fermentation, immobilised biofilm fermentation has advantages of strong resistance, high yield and continuous fermentation and is conducive to improving the industrial fermentation methods. The formation of a biofilm on correct supports is critical to immobilised fermentation. In this study, Pichia pastoris was used to understand and control the modification of surface properties of supports and cells. Following deletion of gene PAS_chr2-1_0773, in P. pastoris △0773, the cell-surface negative charge density decreased and hydrophobicity improved, which was conducive to adhesion. Therefore, according to the changing trend of cell surface properties, cotton fibre was used with succinic anhydride (SA) to modify the carrier for changing the surface properties for efficient conduction of immobilised fermentation. In the fermentation process, the adhesion between the modified cotton fibre and yeast was better than that between an unmodified cotton fibre and yeast, and the additive amount increased by ∼25 %. The enzyme activity of the △0773-cotton-SA fermentation system reached 302.7 U/mL, which was 39.6 % higher than that of the original fermentation system. Therefore, this study provides a guide for significant improvement of immobilised fermentation of fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent computing is an independent algorithm system that imitates the laws and principles of nature's biological chain to design and solve practical problems in modern society, it can help people better handle some big data problems through artificial intelligence technology and different cognitive characteristics. Especially, when dealing with group decision problems, it is often considered as human behavior based on cognitive computing. The q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (q-ROFS) is not only a generalization of Pythagorean fuzzy set (PFS), but also can deal with the decision problem of multi-source information in a wider area. In this paper, we first give the detailed explanations of the relationship between the q-ROFS and q-rung orthopair fuzzy number (q-ROFN)by an example, and itis pointed out that there are some defects in the existing two ranking methods for the Pythagorean fuzzy numbers (PFNs) and intuitionistic fuzzy numbers (IFNs) through counterexamples, and then all q-ROFNs are mapped into the unit triangle of the first quadrant through q-compression mapping, and the concept of distance factor for q-ROFNs is proposed by Euclidean distance between each q-ROFN and the maximum element (1,0).Secondly, a novel inverse score function for q-ROFNs are put forward by the distance factor and hesitancy degree, and the monotonicity of the inverse score function are discussed. Finally, a new ranking criterion of q-ROFNs is given by the new score formula, and then the rationality of the ranking criterion is proved, and through the method of solving the conditional extreme value of multivariate function (Lagrange multiplier method), there is indeed an extreme value point (corresponding to the maximum q-ROFN) on υ = μ. Besides, a q-rung orthopair fuzzy decision-making method for multi-source information is given by the new ranking criterion and aggregation operations, and the comparison of examples shows that the inverse score function and decision-making method do have many advantages in the q-ROFN environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational thermochemical conversion of livestock manure holds significant implications for the recovery and utilization of wastes. In this study, cow manure (CM) was treated by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) to evaluate the fuel properties, combustion behavior and kinetics of hydrochars. The results showed that HTC increased the carbon content of CM from 37.02% to 43.68% and the H/C and O/C ratios comparable to lignite. The oxygen-containing functional groups of hydrochars decreased and displayed typical deposition micromorphology of secondary char. For aqueous phase, furans and phenols were enriched at 200 °C and 260 °C respectively, which were the main precursor or/and components of secondary char. The thermogravimetric analysis displayed hydrochars combustion were more stable and lasting. The secondary char reduced ignition temperature, but limited impact on volatilization during combustion. Compared with CM, hydrochars showed lower activation energy in initial combustion, and higher at high conversions (except for CM260). The relative lower activation energy of CM260 was mainly attribute to the loose ash structure. Besides, HTC could alleviate slagging/fouling of CM combustion and high temperature strengthened the effect. These results indicate that HTC is a promising approach to treat CM for solid fuels, and 240 °C is suggested to upgrading the characteristics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent research findings have revealed a key role of oxidative DNA damage in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, the circulating oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) may represent a biomarker for staging AF and identifying patients at risk for AF recurrence and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after treatment.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of 8-OHdG correlate with the stage of AF, recurrence after AF treatment, and onset of POAF after cardiac surgery.Methods: In this prospective observational study, 8-OHdG levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in human serum samples. Blood samples were collected from control patients without AF history; patients with paroxysmal AF and persistent AF undergoing electrical cardioversion or pulmonary vein isolation (PVI); and patients with sinus rhythm (SR) undergoing cardiac surgery. AF recurrence was determined during 12-month follow-up. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify changes in 8-OHdG levels between the groups.Results: Compared to the control group, 8-OHdG levels in the patient groups gradually and significantly increased during arrhythmia progression. 8-OHdG levels in AF patients showing AF recurrence after PVI treatment were significantly increased compared to patients without AF recurrence. Moreover, in SR patients undergoing cardiac surgery, 8-OHdG levels were significantly elevated in those showing POAF compared to patients without POAF.Conclusion: 8-OHdG level may represent a potential diagnostic biomarker for AF staging as well as for predicting AF recurrence and POAF after treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) with biogas slurry (BS) of corn stover as anode substrate was studied in this paper to solve the problem of the accumulation of wastewater generated from biogas plants. Using domestic water (DW) as inoculum, the BS MFCs could start quickly and remain a stable power generation (622.7 ± 30.3 mV) for 10 days. The maximum power density of the BS MFC was 296 mW/m2 when the external resistance varied to 200 Ω. The removal rate of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonium nitrogen was 72.0% and 43.9% at the 16th day, respectively. The microbial community analysis indicated that the microbes in anode solution was mainly from BS, belonging to hydrolyzed bacteria. Meanwhile, the electroactive microbial community mainly coming from DW was predominated in biofilm. Therefore, MFC can effectively degrade organics in the BS and generate electricity, providing a new approach for BS utilization. Image 1 • A dual-chamber MFC was constructed to purify BS of corn stover. • The maximum power density of the BS MFC was 296 mW m−2. • The removal rate of COD and ammonium nitrogen in BS was 72.0% and 43.9%. • Dominate bacteria of anode solution was mainly related to organics hydrolysis. • Biofilm of MFC anode contained a large mount of electroactive bacteria, mainly coming from DW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Dry and wet torrefaction characteristics of corn stalk digestate were compared. • Compared to DT, the reactivity of WT was higher but lower temperature sensitivity. • Torrefied temperature above 260 (DT) or 220 °C (WT) was not suited for CSD pyrolysis. • The organic coverings after WT change the burning type showing a premise of oxidation. • WT visibly narrow the burning range of CSD while DT gradually reduce the burning rate. Abstract In this study, the dry torrefaction (DT) and wet torrefaction (WT) were compared at different temperatures to explore the effect of these pretreatments on the characteristic of corn stalk digestate (CSD) and the thermal degradation behaviors. The results indicated the both torrefactions improved the fuel properties of CSD, including the lower volatiles content, higher carbon content and HHV. The WT showed higher removals of organics and alkali metals, while DT retained more carbon and ash. The SEM, FTIR and XRD analyses indicated the existence of organic coverings of WT samples, and showed richer surface functional groups, relative complete lignin structure and higher crystallinity compared to DT samples. The thermogravimetric analysis displayed the torrefied temperature above 260 °C (DT) or 220 °C (WT) was not suitable for CSD pyrolysis. Besides, the WT samples showed the more concentrated combustion range, while DT tends the burning of CSD to the behavior of coal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) was employed to upgrade the fuel quality of corn stalk digestate (CSD) ranged from 190 to 240 °C. Meanwhile, a comparison of corn stalk (CS) was investigated to explore the effects of anaerobic digestion (AD) on the fuel property and combustion behavior of hydrochars. The results showed that the HTC increased the carbon content and heating value of hydrochars while decreased the alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) content and hydrophilicity. Compared to CS, the CSD showed higher low-temperature HTC activity, but lower sensitivity to temperature changes. The improvement of fuel properties on CSD was limited with the HTC temperature increasing. The thermogravimetric analysis displayed the relative low temperature HTC (190 and 215 °C) improved the combustion of CSD, while 240 °C was appropriate for CS. FTIR and SEM analyses confirmed the aromatization and formations of spherical particles in CS hydrochars obtained at 240 °C, respectively, but was not observed in CSD hydrochars. The AD process weakened the pyrolysis-like reaction of cellulose in HTC. Considering the energy balance and engineering, 190 °C was recommend for the preparation of solid fuels from CSD and seemed to be more viable for the combination of AD and HTC. Highlights • HTC is employed to upgrade the fuel property of corn stalk and corn stalk digestate. • AD increases the low-temperature HTC activity and reduces the sensitivity to temperature. • AD weakens the leaching of ash and the pyrolysis-like reaction of cellulose in HTC. • The combustion of digestate hydrochar is improved at low HTC temperature. • The HTC temperature of 190 °C is recommend for the combination of AD and HTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pythagorean fuzzy set is not only a generalization of intuitionistic fuzzy set, but also can deal with decision-making problems with multi-attribute information in a wider area. The main work of this paper is that all Pythagorean fuzzy numbers (PFNs) are mapped to a unit triangle region through compression transformation in the Pythagorean fuzzy environment, the novel distance measure, distance factor and score function are proposed and analyzed, and it is proved that the distance measure satisfies axiomatic conditions and score function meets monotonicity. Main contributions: by comparing the distance between each PFN with the smallest element (0,1) and corresponding hesitation factor, a new score function and its ranking criterion are put forward. In this paper, it is first pointed out that there are contradictions between the existing ranking approaches of PFNs and IFNs through counterexamples, and main reasons for these contradictions are analyzed. Secondly, all PFNs are mapped to the unit triangle of the first quadrant by introducing the compression transformation, and a new distance measure of PFNs is put forward according to the distance meaning in the geometric coordinate system, then it is proved that the proposed distance measure satisfies the axiomatic condition of traditional distance. Finally, the distance factor for PFNs is introduced by comparing the distance between each PFN and the smallest element (0,1), a new score formula and its ranking criterion for PFNs are given, and some properties of the distance factor and score function are obtained. Meanwhile, some advantages of the proposed ranking approach are illustrated by numerical examples, also the approach is applied to multi-attribute group decision-making with multi-attribute information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dysregulation of protein kinase-mediated signaling is an early event in many diseases, including the most common clinical cardiac arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation (AF). Kinomic profiling represents a promising technique to identify candidate kinases.Objective: In this study we used kinomic profiling to identify kinases altered in AF remodeling using atrial tissue from a canine model of AF (atrial tachypacing).Methods: Left atrial tissue obtained in a previous canine study was used for kinomic array (containing 1024 kinase pseudosubstrates) analysis. Three groups of dogs were included: nonpaced controls and atrial tachypaced dogs, which were contrasted with geranylgeranylacetone-treated dogs with AF, which are protected from AF promotion, to enhance specificity of detection of putative kinases.Results: While tachypacing changed activity of 50 kinases, 40 of these were prevented by geranylgeranylacetone and involved in differentiation and proliferation (SRC), contraction, metabolism, immunity, development, cell cycle (CDK4), and survival (Akt). Inhibitors of Akt (MK2206) and CDK4 (PD0332991) and overexpression of a dominant-negative CDK4 phosphorylation mutant protected against tachypacing-induced contractile dysfunction in HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Moreover, patients with AF show down- and upregulation of SRC and Akt phosphorylation, respectively, similar to findings of the kinome array.Conclusion: Contrasting kinomic array analyses of controls and treated subjects offer a versatile tool to identify kinases altered in atrial remodeling owing to tachypacing, which include Akt, CDK4, and SRC. Ultimately, pharmacological targeting of altered kinases may offer novel therapeutic possibilities to treat clinical AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the reform and opening up, urban spatial organization in China has changed from a planned economy mode to a market driven economy. From 1978 to 2016, the cities in mainland China have developed five types of housing systems: commercial housing, new Danwei housing, affordable housing, demolition resettlement housing, and self-built housing. The reform of the housing system that was started in the 1990s allowed and led to a rapid growth of the commercial housing market, which also resulted in an obvious suburbanization trend. At the same time, the housing reform policy led to the gradual process of marketing individual Danwei within compound housing systems. The state allowed these properties the right to conduct market transactions. However, some policies from the planned economy period remained in place. The Danweis were allowed to retain right of residence and the original management of the Danwei's courtyard but without any trading rights. Demolition resettlement housing and affordable housing are low cost houses built by the local government for the demolished group and the protected group, respectively. The latter can carry on the market transactions after satisfying certain conditions. Self-build housing mainly refers to the rural collective construction of farmers under the ownership of the housing group. Based on the result of the institutional design and benefit game, the land on which the buildings were to be built was part of the structure of the marketing process. Land acquisition negotiations that ranged from simple to complex and profits that ranged from low to high, showed whether lands were being utilized well or were under-developed. These lands are designated as public lands, farmland, industrial lands, Danwei industry courtyards, farmer's homesteads, and institutional lands and courtyards. This has led to a more stable, multivariate, mosaic mixed hybrid urban residential spatial structure in Chinese mainland cities based on the institutional perspective. At the same time, due to the disadvantaged position of the demolition population in the political and economic environment, the location of demolition resettlement housing and affordable housing are gradually being pushed to the suburbs. It is a distinctly different urban residential spatial structure from the cities in Western countries and countries in transition. This embodies the logic of power operation, capital circulation and accumulation and its dual roles. This structure also reflects the complex feature of cooperation and games between different levels of power and social stratum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pythagorean fuzzy number (PFN) is not only a generalization of general intuitionistic fuzzy number (IFN), but also it can deal with multi-attribute group decision-making problems in a wider range, and it has profound geometric meaning and background. The main works of this article are to establish a unified score function through geometric method on some shortcomings of existing ranking criteria for PFNs, so as to clarify the confusion caused by the widely popular PFNs and IFNs independent ranking for a long time, and apply the proposed method to multi-attribute group decision-making problems, which supplies a new thought for further study of large group decision-making and data statistics problems. Firstly, some conflicts between the two existing rankings for PFNs and IFNs are pointed out, and the major reason for the contradiction are analyzed through counterexamples. Secondly, all IFNs are unified into the PFNs environment according to the coordinate transformation, some fuzzy information distribution contained in each PFN is divided into the reliable information region (RIR) and hesitant information region (HIR) by geometric method. A new geometric score function and ranking method are proposed by the area of reliable information region and hesitation degree in the Pythagorean fuzzy environment, the rationality of the ranking criterion is proved, and the basic properties of geometric score function are obtained by partial derivative and monotonicity. Finally, the new ranking method is applied to the practical problem of multi-attribute information group decision-making through case analysis, it is showed that the proposed method not only overcomes some shortcomings of other methods, but also ends the long-term confusion between IFNs and PFNs ranking separately, and some superiorities of the proposed method are explained by comparative analysis of data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new thermo-chemical pretreatment by a lower temperature fast pyrolysis (LTFP) was applied to promote anaerobic digestion (AD) efficiency of corn stover (CS). The pretreatment experiment was performed by a fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor at 180, 200 and 220 °C with a carrier gas flow rate of 4 and 3 m 3 /h. The components characteristics, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images and Crystal Intensity (CrI) of the pretreated CS were tested to explore effectiveness of the pretreatment. The results showed that the cumulative methane production at 180 °C for 4 and 3 m 3 /h were 199.8 and 200.3 mL/g TS, respectively. As compared to the untreated CS, the LTFP pretreatment significantly (a < 0.05) increased the methane production by 18.07% and 18.33%, respectively. Methane production was well fitted by the Gompertz models, and the maximum methane potential and AD efficiency was obtained at 180 °C for 3 m 3 /h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MoS 2 /pristine graphene nanohybrid was synthesized by facile one-pot supercritical method. • MoS 2 nanosheets were densely and uniformly dispersed on pristine graphene. • The MoS 2 /pristine graphene hybrid, synthesized by facile supercritical method, exhibits exceptional HER activity. Direct decoration of transition metallic dichalcogenides such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2) on pristine graphene is extremely difficult owing to its surface inertness. Under assistance of supercritical carbon dioxide, we develop a unique synthesis of a high-quality hybrid nanostructure with ultrafine MoS 2 nanosheets supported on pristine graphene that exhibits excellent properties as an advanced catalyst for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). These include a Tafel slope of ~42 mV·decade−1, onset potential as low as ~58 mV and small potential of 81 mV for 10 mA·cm−2 current density, much superior than those obtained from other carbon-based counterparts such as carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and reduced graphene oxide. Both these potentials are the best available values ever achieved so far among all graphene or carbon nanotube-supported molybdenum sulfide. The exceptional HER activity is found to be closely associated with high density of exposed edge sites of ultrafine MoS 2 nanosheets being firmly and uniformly anchored on inherently conductive graphene sheets as a result of high wettability between the supercritical fluid and inert carbon surfaces. The facile yet effective supercritical method can also be applicable to a wide range of electrochemically active nanospecies in the development of highly efficient graphene-based nano-catalysts for broad energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To facilitate the application of rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I)-enriched pectins (RGPs) as novel, healthy, and gelling food additives, this study compared the structural characteristics and gelling properties of RGPs extracted from citrus peel via four methods (alkali: AK, high-temperature/pressure: TP, citric acid: CA, and enzyme-assisted: EA extractions). AK and CA yielded pectins with the highest RG-I proportions (54.8 % and 51.9 %, respectively) by disrupting the homogalacturonan region; TP and EA increased the RG-I proportions by ~10 %. Among the four methods, AK induced the lowest degree of esterification (DE) (6.7 %) and longer side chains that form strong entanglement, contributing to its highest gel hardness. The relatively low DE (18.5 %) of CA RGP facilitated stable gel formation. Notably, its highly branched RG-I region afforded more intramolecular hydrophobic interactions, making a more highly cross-linked gel network of better gel resilience. In contrast, TP induced the highest DE (57 %) and curved molecular chains; it inhibited Ca2+ binding, entanglement, and intramolecular hydrophobic interactions, and thus no gel formed. EA RGP was associated with the lowest molecular size, rendering it more difficult for Ca2+ to form links, which resulted no gel. These findings offer insights into the relationship among the extraction methods, molecular structures, and gelling properties of RGPs. Our hypothesis The molecular structures of RG-I-enriched pectins from citrus peels varied among four different extraction methods, influencing their gelling properties. Citric acid extraction exhibited high yield, RG-I proportion, and gelling property. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatases (MKPs) are important negative regulators in the MAPK signaling pathways, which play crucial roles in plant growth, regulation of development and response to environment stresses. Several MAPKs have been reported to be involved in the drought stress response, however, there is no evidence for the specific function of MKPs in drought stress. Here, a putative MKP in rice (Oryza sativa), OsIBR5, was characterized. Expression of OsIBR5 was induced by PEG6000, abscisic acid (ABA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Overexpression of OsIBR5 in tobacco plants resulted in hypersensitivity to drought and H2O2 treatments. Drought and ABA-induced stomatal closure was significantly reduced in OsIBR5-overexpressing tobacco plants compared with controls. Moreover, OsIBR5 was found to interact with tobacco MAPKs SIPK and WIPK, and drought-induced WIPK activity was impaired in OsIBR5-overexpressing tobacco plants. These results indicated that OsIBR5 is a MKP which was induced by abiotic stresses and decreased tolerance to drought stress in transgenic tobacco plants. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinical tachyarrhythmia associated with significant morbidity and mortality and is expected to affect approximately 30 million North Americans and Europeans by 2050. AF is a persistent disease, caused by progressive, often age-related, derailment of proteostasis resulting in structural remodeling of the atrial cardiomyocytes. It has been widely acknowledged that the progressive nature of the disease hampers the effective functional conversion to sinus rhythm in patients and explains the limited effect of current drug therapies. Therefore, research is directed at preventing new-onset AF by limiting the development of substrates underlying AF promotion. Upstream therapy refers to the use of drugs that modify the atrial substrate- or target-specific mechanisms of AF, with the ultimate aim to prevent the occurrence (primary prevention) and recurrence of the arrhythmia following (spontaneous) conversion and to prevent the progression of AF (secondary prevention). Recently, we observed that heat shock protein (HSP)–inducing drugs, such as geranylgeranylacetone, prevent derailment of proteostasis and remodeling of cardiomyocytes and thereby attenuate the AF substrate in cellular, Drosophila melanogaster, and animal experimental models. Also, correlative data from human studies were consistent with a protective role of HSPs in preventing the progression from paroxysmal AF to permanent AF and in the recurrence of AF. In this review, we discuss novel HSP-inducing compounds as emerging therapeutics for the primary and secondary prevention of AF. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Fiber reinforcement on the practical parts with complex geometries (e.g., Y fork) is a challenge for the industrial development of composites fiber wrapping (FW). FW path planning for the Y fork is studied here, which is a prerequisite for the implementation of the FW process using a robotic work-cell. The feasibility of this work-cell is explored, and more precisely, two path generation algorithms for guiding the robot movement are proposed. One is used to calculate uniformly arranged paths at a constant angle to the axes of the tubular Y fork, where no overlaps and gaps are created under the assumption that the maximum geodesic curvature constraint in FW is ignored. Different from the first one, the second algorithm is presented where the curvature is restricted. Both of these algorithms are implemented by using the MATLABTM suite to carry out re-development of ABAQUS software. Finally, simulations are demonstrated to illustrate the validity of the methodology presented here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The co-digestion of W-HTC and CS enhanced CH 4 production of the two feedstocks. • Negative effect of phenols on CH 4 production is significantly more than furans. • The growth of Clostridia and Bacteroidia is promoted by appropriate W-HTC. • Co-existence of CS and W-HTC promoted the growth of Methanomassiliicoccus in AD. This study aimed to investigate the interactions between wastewater of hydrothermal carbonation (W-HTC) and corn stover (CS) during anaerobic co-digestion. The results showed the maximum cumulative methane production of co-digestion was 280.7 ± 3.2 mL/g VS, and it increased by 5.84% and 10.69% compared with mono-digestion of CS and W-HTC, respectively. Increasing the HTC temperature and excess addition of W-HTC inhibits early and middle stage of co-digestion due to toxic organic inhibitors, and the negative effect of phenols is substantially more than furans. The microbial analysis illustrated the addition of W-HTC can promote the growth of Clostridia and Bacteroidia. The growth of Methanomassiliicoccus and Methanosarcina was more vigorous in most of co-digestions, which was positively correlated with methane production. The study concluded methanogenesis can be enhanced by the co-digestion of W-HTC and CS, which provide optimization of process conditions and some reaction mechanism for application of W-HTC in anaerobic digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is caused by electropathology, which is defined as impairment of electrical activation caused by structural and metabolic remodeling of cardiomyocytes. We previously dissected the molecular mechanisms underlying electropathology and identified an important role for histone deacetylases (HDACs). HDACs catalyze the removal of acetyl-groups from lysine residues within nucleosomal histone tails and many non-histone proteins. Various HDAC inhibitors are efficacious in attenuating electropathology, and improve contractile function in experimental AF. Emerging evidence reveals novel mechanisms by which HDAC inhibitors prevent cardiac electropathology and thereby benefit the heart during AF. These mechanisms include post-translational modification of contractile and structural proteins and changes in gene expression. In this review paper, we summarize recent findings on novel functions of zinc-dependent HDACs in electropathology and discuss the potential for pharmacological HDAC inhibition as a strategy to treat AF. • Perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is caused by electropathology. • HDAC inhibitors attenuate electropathology in AF and other cardiac diseases. • HDACs deacetylate contractile and structural proteins in the heart. • HDACs regulate gene expression by targeting transcription factors in the heart. • HDAC3 and HDAC6 represent novel therapeutic targets for AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pyrolysis of pig manure was performed at 300–700 °C with a small interval of 50 °C. • Pyrolysis can effectively immobilize Cr, Mn, Cu, and Zn in pig manure. • Biochars derived from pig manure posed no phytotoxicity. • S BET , PV and pH may help to immobilize heavy metals and reduce bioavailability. • The optimal pyrolysis temperature for pig manure was 500 °C. The comprehensive analysis of environmental risk for heavy metals in pig manure was essential for optimization of pyrolysis conditions and scientific utilization of pig manure biochars as soil amendment. However, in previous studies, the selected pyrolysis temperature points were limited and temperature interval was large, it's was difficult to accurately verify the effect of pyrolysis temperature on chemical speciation and environmental risk of heavy metals. Therefore, in this study, pig manure was pyrolyzed at 300–700 °C with a small interval of 50 °C to study the effect of pyrolysis temperature on characteristics and environmental risk of Cr, Mn, Cu and Zn in pig manure biochar. Results indicated that the characteristics of biochars (>500 °C) were relatively stable. The biochar obtained at 700 °C exhibited the largest surface area (8.28 m2 g−1) and pore volume (25.17 m3 kg−1), secondly is the biochar derived at 500 °C. The total percentages of exchangeable and acid fraction and reducible fraction decreased from 16.98% to 9.43% for Cr, 85.60% to 65.55% for Mn, 57.26% to 10.61% for Cu, 37.90% to 13.78% for Zn, respectively, suggesting that exchangeable and acid fraction and reducible fraction of Cr, Mn, Cu and Zn in pig manure were transformed into oxidizable and residual fractions after pyrolysis. The leaching rates, risk assessment code and potential ecological risk index values significantly decreased after pyrolysis and presented lower value at 500 and 700 °C. Biochars derived at 300–700 °C conditions posed no phytotoxicity with germination index >80%. Correlation analyses revealed that larger surface area, pore volume and pH values of biochars may help to immobilize heavy metals and reduce bioavailability. These findings demonstrated that bioavailability and toxicity of Cr, Mn, Cu and Zn in pig manure biochar were greatly reduced after pyrolysis and the optimum temperature was 500 °C considering energy cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • CH 4 yield is increased by 139.0 % when nano-Fe 3 O 4 biochar adding to AD of CM. • Unclassified Clostridiales and Methanosarcina as DIET partners is enriched. • Nano-Fe 3 O 4 biochar enhances the degradation of acetic acid via SAO pathway. • Methanoculleus has a high tolerance for NH 4 +-N, was enriched to 85.3 % by MS550. Volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen (AN) accumulate during anaerobic digestion (AD) of high N substrates, such as chicken manure (CM), causing decreases in methane yield. Previous research found that the addition of nano-Fe 3 O 4 biochar can alleviate the inhibition caused by acids and ammonia and increase methane production. The mechanism of enhanced methane production in nano-Fe 3 O 4 biochar-mediated AD of CM was explored in depth in this study. The results showed the lowest AN concentration in the control and nano-Fe 3 O 4 biochar addition groups were 8,229.0 mg/L and 7,701.5 mg/L, respectively. Methane yield of volatile solids increased from 92.0 mL/g to 219.9 mL/g in the nano-Fe 3 O 4 biochar treatment, which was attributed to the enrichment of unclassified Clostridiales and Methanosarcina. The mechanism of nano-Fe 3 O 4 biochar in AD of CM under high AN level was to improve methane production by promoting syntrophic acetate oxidation and facilitating direct electron transfer between microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]