Synergistic effects of phosphoric acid modified hydrochar and coal gangue-based zeolite on bioavailability and accumulation of cadmium and lead in contaminated soil

In this paper,a novel compound was developed by mixing H_(3)PO_(4)-modified cauliflower leaves hydrochar(CLH)and coal gangue-based Na-X zeolite(ZL).An alkaline soil contaminated with cadmium(Cd)and lead(Pb)was amended through the individual and synergistic application of CLH and ZL(1%CLH,2%CLH,1%ZL,2%ZL and 1%CLH+1%ZL),and Chinese cabbage was grown on it.Individual application of CLH was superior to ZL on decreasing the pH of alkaline soil and increasing soil available phosphorus(Olsen-P)and soil organic matter(SOM).In contrast,their combined application significantly improved the soil cation exchange capacity(CEC).Besides,the 1%CLH+1%ZL was the most efficient treatment in decreasing diethylenetriamine pentaacetate(DTPA)-extractable Cd/Pb and concentrations of these two metals in cabbage root and shoot.Their synergistic application could better increase Cd and Pb immobilization and cabbage yield than their alone application.Furthermore,the immobilization of Pb for all treatments was higher than that of Cd.The synergistic immobilization mechanism of CLH and ZL reflected that the CLH precipitated and complexed with these two metals,which may block the pores of hydrochar or wrap on the surface of hydrochar.So the continuous adsorption and complexation were prevented.Nevertheless,ZL could probably alleviate this obstacle.This finding provides helpful information about using CLH combined with ZL as a soil stabilizer to immobilize heavy metals in contaminated alkaline soil.

The Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Immune Function of Macrophages

Since the 1 960 s,many successful space missions have highlighted the advantages and necessity of humans in the exploration of space,but scientists have long worried about the adverse effects of spaceflight on Astronaut.Space flight and models that create conditions similar to those that occur during space flight have been shown to deleteriously affect a variety of immunological responses.The mechanisms and biomedical consequences of these changes remain to be established.Conducting experiments in an environment of true microgravity requires a roundtrip ticket into space,a feat that is both expensive and challenging.Simulated microgravity(SMG)models allow scientists to gather preliminary data without the cost and logistical challenges of spaceflight.The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of SMG on immunity function of macrophages that exposed to RPM and RCCS separately.While many studies have demonstrated that alterations occur in the immune system as a result of space travel,the level at which these mechanisms exert their effect,at the level of the mature immune cell or earlier at the progenitor or stem cell stage is not known.In particular,macrophages,as one of the most important immune cells and play a key role in both specific and non-specific immunity,did not have received much attention.Therefore,in our study,we mainly study the influence of microgravity on the immune function of macrophages.In this study,we evaluated the immune dysfunction of macrophages under SMG.Firstly,we found that the morphology and structure of the macrophages were changed,specifically,we observed that there were more protrusions on cell surface and the cells were shrinking significantly after exposure to SMG.Secondly,we demonstrated that under simulated microgravity(SMG)conditions,the phagocytic and proliferative functions of macrophages were significantly reduced.Thirdly,several processes,including surface receptor expression,cytoskeleton,and cytokines secreted were investigated in macrophages under SMG.Phagocytosis is one of the important means for macrophages to exert immune function,and cell surface phagocytosis-related receptors play an important role.Here,we selected four common receptors(TLR2,FcyR1,CD11b and CD 18)to detect.The results indicate that SMG(RPM and RCCS)have a great influence on the expression of surface phagocytosis-related receptors,which may be one of the main reasons for the decline of immune function ofmacrophages.Macrophages exert immune function through phagocytosis,and the cytoskeleton plays an important role in the process of phagocytosis.The results indicate that SMG(RPM and RCCS)have a great influence on the expression of cytoskeleton-related proteins,which provides me with a new idea that SMG may regulate immunity of macrophage by affecting the cytoskeleton.Immune-related cytokines play an important role in macrophage immune process.Here,we selected four common immunocytokine(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 and IL-10)to detect.The change of these four immunocytokine further demonstrate that SMG significantly decline the immunity of macrophage,we must pay enough attention to the impact of SMG on macrophage.The above factors such as the changes of morphology and structure of the macrophages and the decreased expression of Arp2/3 complex related proteins,cytokine secretion,and cell surface receptors may be responsible for the immune dysfunction of macrophages under SMG.

In vitro assessment of thyroid hormone receptor activity of four organophosphate esters

Previous animal experiments have implied that organophosphate esters（OPEs） have a disruption effect on the thyroid endocrine system. However, knowledge of the toxicological mechanism remains limited. In this study, the activities of four OPEs have been characterized against the thyroid hormone（TH） nuclear receptor（TR） using two in vitro models, with the aim of evaluating their toxicity mechanisms towards the TR. The results of a TH-dependent cell proliferation assay showed that tris（2-chloro-1-（chloromethyl）ethyl）phosphate（TDCPP） could induce cell growth, while the other three OPEs had no effect. The results of a luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that all four of the OPEs tested in the current study showed agonistic activity towards TRβ, with TDCPP being the most potent one. Moreover, molecular docking revealed that all the tested OPEs could fit into the ligand binding pocket of TRβ, with TDCPP binding more effectively than the other three OPEs. Taken together, these data suggest that OPEs might disrupt the thyroid endocrine system via a mechanism involving the activation of TR.

Initial stiffness and moment resistance of reinforced joint with end-plate connection

In beam-to-column joint with bolted end-plate connection,the structural details of column flange reinforced by backing plate and column web panel reinforced by supplementary plate are analyzed.The joint is divided into some basic components,and the initial stiffness of each component is obtained.Especially,the initial stiffness of reinforced components is drawn by theoretical model and finite element analysis.The initial stiffness of reinforced joint can be obtained by assembling the initial stiffness of each component.The design moment resistance of column flange reinforced by backing plate is deduced based on yield line method,and the design moment resistances of other components are deduced based on present codes.The design moment resistance of the reinforced joint is then determined by the minimum of the design moment resistances of all components.By comparison with the results of finite element calculation,it is verified that the method to calculate the initial stiffness of reinforced joint is accurate enough to be used to estimate the rigid behavior of the joint and to make parametric study.

An index system for evaluating children reading promotion programs in public libraries

Reading program is an important way to cultivate children’s reading habits and interest.This study aims at exploring how to assess the effectiveness and impact of children’s reading programs held by public libraries.On the basis of related research,through applying the Delphi method and the analytic hierarchy process,this study constructs a multi-dimensional evaluation system for children’s reading programs from the perspectives of library,users and society.This system is characterized by covering criteria on input and output,outcomes and impact.Indicators on library input and the benefits for participants are considered more important.