Parameters Influencing Power Generation in Eco-friendly Microbial Fuel Cells

Pulp and papermaking industries generate high volumes of carbohydrate-rich effluents. Microbial fuel cell(MFC) technology is based on organic materials' consumption and efficient power production. Using a classical two-chamber lab-scale MFC design with an external resistance of2000 W, we investigated the effects of anode chamber biofilm adaptation(ACBA) and cathode chamber redox solutions(CCRS) on the operation efficiency of MFC when treating wastewater. In ACBA studies, biofilm growth activation showed an increase in the power density to 20.48, 35.18, and36.98 mW/m^2 when the acetate feeding concentrations were 3, 6, and 12 g/L,respectively. Improvement by biofilm adhesion on granular activated carbon(GAC) was examined by scanning electron microscopy(SEM). The obtained power density increased to 25.47, 33.42, and 40.39 mW/m^2 when the GAC particles concentrations were 0, 50, and 100 g/L, respectively. The generated power densities were 51.26 and 40.39 mW/m^2 as well as the obtained voltages were 0.41 and 0.72 V when the electrode area increased from 16 to 64 cm^2,respectively. Using the MFC optimized parameters, CCRS studies carried out using five different cathodic redox solutions. The results revealed that the use of manganese dioxide dissolved in hydrochloric acid generated the maximum power density of 112.6 mW/m^2, current density of 0.094 A/m^2, and voltage of1.20 V with a successful organic removal efficiency of 86.0% after 264 h of operation.

Wuling powder alleviates depressive-like behavior by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress in the mouse hippocampus

The response to endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress has been noted in both human depression cases and depression models in rodents.Wuling powder,derived from the mycelium of the esteemed fungus Xylaria Nigripes(Kl.)Sacc,has demonstrated efficacy in alleviating depressive symptoms.The purpose of this research was to explore the antidepressant properties of Wuling powder and its basic molecular effects,particularly regarding alterations in ER stress.A model of social defeat stress was created by introducing a mouse to the cage of an unfamiliar,hostile mouse for intervals of 5–10 min daily over a span of 10 d.Subsequently,the mice received oral doses of Wuling powder for 2 weeks.The social approach-avoidance assay was employed to evaluate signs of depression-like behaviors.Moreover,protein and gene expressions linked to ER stress triggered by social defeat were analyzed through Western blotting analysis and quantitative real-time PCR.The behavioral tests indicated that Wuling powder ameliorated behaviors associated with depression due to social defeat stress.Treatment with Wuling powder markedly reduced the increased levels of the 78-k Da glucose-regulated protein and protein disulfide isomerase caused by social defeat stress.It also diminished the expression of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α(IRE1α)and spliced X box-binding protein-1(s XBP1)at the protein and m RNA levels.Furthermore,Wuling treatment notably decreased the levels of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha kinase(P-e IF2α),activating transcription factor 4(ATF4)and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP),simultaneously enhancing the ratio of B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)to Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax).These results suggested that Wuling powder could alleviate ER stress and inhibit cell apoptosis in the hippocampus by inhibiting protein translation and synthesis,thereby attenuating depressive-like behavior.