Concentration-Dependent Effect of Nickel Ions on Amyloid Fibril Formation Kinetics of Hen Egg White Lysozyme:a Raman Spectroscopy Study

Nickel,an important transi-tion metal element,is one of the trace elements for hu-man body and has a crucial impact on life and health.Some evidences show the excess exposure to metal ions might be associated with neurological diseases.Herein,we applied Raman spectroscopy to study the Ni(II)ion effect on kinetics of amyloid fibrillation of hen egg white lysozyme(HEWL)in thermal and acidic conditions.Using the well-known Raman indicators for protein tertiary and secondary structures,we monitored and analyzed the concentration effect of Ni(II)ions on the unfolding of tertiary structures and the transformation of sec-ondary structures.The experimental evidence validates the accelerator role of the metal ion in the kinetics.Notably,the additional analysis of the amide I band profile,combined with thioflavin-T fluorescence assays,clearly indicates the inhibitory effect of Ni(II)ions on the formation of amyloid fibrils with organizedβ-sheets structures.Instead,a more significant promotion influence is affirmed on the assembly into other aggregates with disordered struc-tures.The present results provide rich information about the specific metal-mediated protein fibrillation.

Study on a Novel Disphase Supplying Supported Liquid Membrane for Transport Behavior of Divalent Nickel Ions

A novel d!sphase supplying supported liquid membrane （DSSLM）, containing supplying feed phase andsupplying stripping phase tor transport behavior ot NI（Ⅱ）, have been studied. The supplying supported feed phase included feed solution and di（2-ethyhexyl） phosphoric acid （HDEHP） as the carrier in kerosene, and supplying stripping phase included HDEHP as the cartier in kerosene and HC1 as the stripping agent. The effects of volume ratio of membrane solution to feed solution （O/F）, pH, initial concentration of Ni（Ⅱ） and ionic strength in the feedsolution, volume ratio of membrane solution to stripping solution （O/S）, concentration of H2SO4 solution, HDEHP concentration in the supplying stripping phase on transport of Ni（/I）, the advantages of DSSLM compared to the traditional supported liquid membrane （SLM）, the system stability, the reuse of membrane solution and the reten- tion of membrane phase were studied. Experimental results indicated that the optimum transpgrt of Ni（Ⅱ） was oh-tained when H2SO4 concentration was 2.00 mol＇L-＇, HDEHP concentration was 0.120 mol·L-1, and O/S was 4· 1 in the supplying stripping phase, O/F was 1 ： 10 and pH was 5.20 in the supplying feed phase. The ionic strength in supplying feed phase had no obvious effect on transport of Ni（Ⅱ）. When initial Ni（Ⅱ） concentration was 2.00x 10-4 mol/L, the transport percentage of Ni（Ⅱ） was up to 93.1% in 250 min. The kinetic equation was deduced in terms of the law of mass diffusion and the interface chemistry.

A STUDY ON Ti ELECTRODE MODIFIED BY NICKEL ION BEANS

The reduction of H^+ on Ti electrodes which were treated by implanting nickel ions and thermodiffusing in vacuum has been studied.The calytic activity of the afore- mentioned electroes for H^+ reduction is much higher than that of the untreated Ti electrodes.

Evaluation of carbon-based nanosorbents synthesised by ethylene decomposition on stainless steel substrates as potential sequestrating materials for nickel ions in aqueous solution

The present work covers the preparation of carbon-based nanosorbents by ethylene decomposition on stainless steel mesh without the use of external catalyst for the treatment of water containing nickel ions （Ni2＋）. The reaction temperature was varied from 650 to 850℃, while reaction time and ethylene to nitrogen flow ratio were maintained at 30 rain and 1：1 cma/min, respectively. Results show that nanosorbents synthesised at a reaction temperature of 650℃ had the smallest average diameter （75 nm）, largest BET surface area （68.95 m2/g） and least amount of impurity （0.98 wt.% Fe）. A series of batch sorption tests were performed to evaluate the effects of initial pH, initial metal concentration and contact time on Ni2~ removal by the nanosorbents. The equilibrium data fitted well to Freundlich isotherm. The kinetic data were best correlated to a pseudo second-order model indicating that the process was of chemisorption type. Further analysis by the Boyd kinetic model revealed that boundary layer diffusion was the controlling step. This primary study suggests that the prepared material with Freundiich constants compared well with those in the literature, is a promising sorbent for the sequestration of Ni2＋ in aqueous solutions.

Ion-imprinted silica gel and its dynamic membrane for nickel ion removal from wastewaters

An ion-imprinted sorbent(IIP)was prepared by using Ni^2+ as template,3-[2(2-aminoethylamino)ethylamino]propyl-trimethoxysilane as functional monomer,and silica gel as carrier.The adsorption performance of IIP towards Ni^2+ was investigated.IIP showed a higher adsorption capacity than that of non-imprinted sorbent,and it also exhibited high selectivity for Ni^2+ in the presence of Cu^2+ and Zn^2+ ions.Then,IIP was used to form a dynamic membrane onto the surface of ceramic membrane for treatment of electroplating wastewater containing Ni^2+.Compared with ceramic membrane,IIP dynamic membrane had much higher steady membrane flux,and also rejected Ni^2+ to obtain a lower concentration of Ni2+ in the permeate fluid.Perhaps it is suitable for future practice applications.

Screening and validation of nickel ion cytotoxicity biomarkers based on transcriptomic and proteomic technology

The aimof this study was to screen cytotoxicity biomarkers of nickel ions(Ni^(2+))using transcriptomic and proteomic approaches combined with molecular biology validation.First,the MTT method was used to evaluate cytotoxicity in L929 cells treated with Ni^(2+)at different concentrations.Ni^(2+)at both 100μM and 200 lMaffected cell proliferation.Then,transcriptomic and proteomic technology was used to study the effects of Ni^(2+)on the expression of genes/proteins in cells.It was found that 1490,789,652 and 729 genes(12,24,48 and 72 h,respectively)and 177,2191 and 2095 proteins(12,24 and 48 h,respectively)were differentially expressed after treatment with 100μM Ni^(2+).In total,1403,963,916 and 1230 genes(12,24,48 and 72 h,respectively)and 83,1681 and 2398 proteins(12,24 and 48 h,respectively)were differentially expressed after treatment with 200μMNi^(2+).Then,four target gene/protein biomarkers were filtered by combined screening using gene/proteomic experimental data and biological pathway analyses.Further expression level validation of all these target biomarkers and functional validation of selected gene/protein biomarkers were carried out,and a final gene/protein biomarker(UQCRB)was identified.

The interaction mechanism of nickel ions with L929 cells based on integrative analysis of proteomics and metabolomics data

The aim of this article was to study the toxicity mechanism of nickel ions(Ni^(2+))on L929 cells by combining proteomics and metabolomics.First,iTRAQ-based proteomics and LC/MS metabolomics analyses were used to determine the protein and metabolite expression profiles in L929 cells after treatment with 100μMNi^(2+)for 12,24 and 48 h.A total of 177,2191 and 2109 proteins and 40,60 and 74 metabolites were found to be differentially expressed.Then,the metabolic pathways in which both differentially expressed proteins and metabolites were involved were identified,and three pathways with proteins and metabolites showing upstream and downstream relationships were affected at all three time points.Furthermore,the protein-metabolite-metabolic pathway network was constructed,and two important metabolic pathways involving 4 metabolites and 17 proteins were identified.Finally,the functions of the important screened metabolic pathways,metabolites and proteins were investigated and experimentally verified.Ni^(2+)mainly affected the expression of upstream proteins in the glutathione metabolic pathway and the arginine and proline metabolic pathway,which further regulated the synthesis of downstream metabolites,reduced the antioxidant capacity of cells,increased the level of superoxide anions and the ratio of GSSG to GSH,led to oxidative stress,affected energy metabolism and induced apoptosis.

Removal of Nickel（II） from Aqueous Solution Using Activated Charcoal Derived from the Leaves of Bitter Orange Tree （Citrus aurantium）

The present work deals with the removal of Ni（II） ion using activated charcoal prepared from the dry leaves of bitter orange tree （Citrus aurantium）. The effects of its concentration, adsorbent dosage, particle size, pH and temperature on removal of Ni（II） ion have been studied. The removal of Ni（II） ion is higher at lower concentration and gradually decreases as the concentration increases. The pH of 5 was the most suitable. The removal of Ni（II） ion increases with the increases in the adsorbent dosage. The effect of particle size reveals that the percentage removal of Ni（II） ion decreases with increase in particle size of adsorbent. The effect of temperature shows that as temperature increases, the percentage removal of Ni（II） ion decreases and this is due to the interaction forces weakening at high temperature. Thermodynamic parameters from the effect of temperature were calculated.

Treatment of nickel-ammonia complex ion-containing ammonia nitrogen wastewater

Air stripping was adopted to treat nickel ammonia complex ion-containing wastewater in order to remove nickel and ammonia simultaneously in one technological process.The relationship among pH,the concentration of nickel ammonia complex ion and total ammonia concentration was analyzed theoretically.Influence of pH value,water temperature,airflow rate and time on air stripping was studied in detail by static experiment in laboratory.The results show that at pH 11,temperature of 60℃and airflow rate of 0.12 m3/h,NH3 and Ni 2+concentrations remained in wastewater are less than 2 and 0.2 mg/L,respectively,after blowing for 75 min,which reaches the standard of the state discharge.When the tail gas is absorbed by 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 in order to avoid the secondary pollution,the absorption rate can achieve 70%.

Electrochemically switched ion exchange performances of capillary deposited nickel hexacyanoferrate thin films

Thin films of capillary deposited nickel hexacyanoferrate(NiHCF) were investigated as electrochemically switched ion exchange(ESIX) materials. The films were generated on platinum and graphite substrates based on the ternary reagent diagram. In 1 mol/L KNO3 solution, cyclic voltammetry(CV) combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS) was used to determine the influence of experimental conditions on the electroactivity of the NiHCF thin film on Pt substrates. The ion selectivity, ion-exchange capacity and the regenerability of NiHCF films on Pt and graphite substrates were investigated. The experiment results show that the NiHCF thin films from Ni2+-poor growth conditions have double peaks CV curves and contain relatively larger amount of potassium; while those from Ni2+-rich growth conditions are single peak CV curves and contain relatively smaller amount of potassium. It is demonstrated that the NiHCF thin films of capillary chemical deposition have good ESIX performances.

The fabrication of nickel silicide ohmic contacts to n-type 6H-silicon carbide

This paper reports that the nickel silicide ohmic contacts to n-type 6H-SiC have been fabricated. Transfer length method test patterns with NiSi/SiC and NiSi2/SiC structure axe formed on N-wells created by N^＋ ion implantation into Si-faced p-type 6H-SiC epilayer respectively. NiSi and NiSi2 films are prepared by annealing the Ni and Si films separately deposited. A two-step annealing technology is performed for decreasing of oxidation problems occurred during high temperature processes. The specific contact resistance Pc of NiSi contact to n-type 6H-SiC as low as 1.78× 10^-6Ωcm^2 is achieved after a two-step annealing at 350 ℃for 20 min and 950℃ for 3 min in N2. And 3.84×10-6Ωcm^2 for NiSi2 contact is achieved. The result for sheet resistance Rsh of the N＋ implanted layers is about 1210Ω/□. X-ray diffraction analysis shows the formation of nickel silicide phases at the metal/n-SiC interface after thermal annealing. The surfaces of the nickel silicide after thermal annealing are analysed by scanning electron microscope.

Application of Modified Nickel Slag Adsorbent on the Removal of Pb^(2＋) and Cu^(2＋) from Aqueous Solution

Al（OH）_3 modified nickel slag adsorbent was prepared by sintering technology. The structure of the sample was characterized by BET, XRD, IR, SEM and EDAX. The sample＇s adsorption performance of Pb^（2＋） and Cu^（2＋） from aqueous solution was studied. Results indicated that the adsorbent is a loose and porous mesoporous material. Its surface had mass aluminosilicate, high-activity γ-Al_2O_3 and its p H ranges from 4 to 12 that all have negative charges. The BET surface of the adsorbent is 23.90 m^2/g. Furthermore, its surface contains rich oxygenic functional groups, which could not only provide abundant adsorption sites for Pb^（2＋） and Cu^（2＋）, but also improve the adsorption performance of Pb^（2＋） and Cu^（2＋） from waste water through the complexation of heavy metal ions. The best p H values selected in the adsorption of Pb^（2＋） and Cu^（2＋） are 6 and 5, respectively. With the increase of the initial concentration of simulated solution, the adsorption capacities of Pb^（2＋） and Cu^（2＋） gradually increased but the removal rates showed a downward trend. The competitive adsorption results of Pb^（2＋） and Cu^（2＋） showed that Pb^（2＋） has better preferential adsorption than Cu^（2＋）.

Thermoluminescence characteristics of quartz implanted by nickel ion

The implantation of artificial quartz with nickel ion has succeeded in using a heavy ion accelerator. The quartz with nickel ion is called ”nickel quartz“. The sensitivity of their thermoluminescence (TL) response to the beta radiation was decreased with the increasing of irradiating and heating times. Two TL characteristics have appeared: the sensitivity of TL response at lower temperature (ll0°C) peaks of the nickel quartz to beta radiation is higher than that of the pure quartz, this results from the Ni+1 ion entering the quartz lattice; and a new peak appearing at 445°C may be related with both Ni+1 and Ni+3.

Adsorption of Pb^2+and Cu^2+with Unburned Desulphurization Slag Modified Nickel Slag

Desulphurization slag modified nickel slag adsorbent was prepared by unburned forming technology. The structure of the sample was characterized by BET,XRD,IR,SEM and EDAX. The adsorption performance of Pb^2＋ and Cu^2＋ onto the resultant adsorbent from aqueous solution was studied. Results indicated that the adsorbent possesses a network pore structure formed by the AFt and C–S–H through cross lapping; the adsorbent contains a large number of Si–OH and Al–OH functional groups. The presence of functional groups not only provides abundant adsorption sites for Pb^2＋ and Cu^2＋,but also improves the adsorption performance of Pb^2＋ and Cu^2＋ from waste water through the complexation of heavy metal ions. The result of specific surface area analysis showed that the adsorbent sample possesses mesoporous structure and the BET specific surface area is 27.15 m^2/g. The solution p H values for the adsorption of Pb^2＋ and Cu^2＋ were optimized to be 6 and 5.5,respectively. The adsorption capacities of Pb^2＋ and Cu^2＋ gradually increase,whereas the removal rates of the two metal ions decrease with increasing the initial concentration of simulated solution. The resultant adsorbent gives a higher adsorption capacity for Cu^2＋ than for Pb^2＋ in the single ion solution. However,it shows preferential adsorption of Pb^2＋ rather than that of Cu^2＋. Meanwhile,results of recyclability indicate the remarkable regeneration capacity,re-adsorption ability and reusability performance of the adsorbent sample.

Molecular dynamics simulation of ion selectivity traits of nickel hexacyanoferrate thin films

The ion selectivity of nickel hexacyanoferrate thin film to alkali cations in ESIX (electrochemically switched ion exchange) processes was investigated using molecular dynamics(MD) techniques; water and cation (Na+ and Cs+) intercalation, configuration, and dynamics in reduced nickel hexacyanoferrate structures with different cation combinations were studied and compared with the experimental results. In the simulations, water was represented by an extended simple point-charge(SPC/E) model, and all other atomic interactions were represented by a universal force field(UFF). The potential energies of various cations combination (Cs+ and Na+) in reduced i-NiHCF and 1 mol/L Cs/NaCl mixed solution were obtained. In most cases, the total potential energy of the solid is reduced when water is intercalated into the various reduced NiHCF structures. Combining the solid and the solution simulation results, it is shown that the solid composition of 3Cs+/1Na+ is the stablest structure form (NaCs3Ni4[Fe(CN)6]3) over a range of solution compositions.

Spray pyrolysis synthesis of nickel-rich layered cathodes LiNi_(1-2x)Co_xMn_xO_2(x = 0.075, 0.05, 0.025) for lithium-ion batteries

In this study we report a series of nickel-rich layered cathodes LiNi1-2xCoxMnxO2（x = 0.075, 0.05,0.025） prepared from chlorides solution via ultrasonic spray pyrolysis. SEM images illustrate that the samples are submicron-sized particles and the particle sizes increase with the increase of Ni content.LiNi0.85Co0.075Mn0.075O2 delivers a discharge capacity of 174.9 mAh g-1 with holding 93% reversible capacity at 1 C after 80 cycles, and can maintain a discharge capacity of 175.3 mAh g-1 at 5 C rate. With increasing Ni content, the initial specific capacity increases while the cycling and rate performance degrades in some extent. These satisfying results demonstrate that spray pyrolysis is a powerful and efficient synthesis technology for producing Ni-rich layered cathode（Ni content 〉 80%）.

Study on Removing Zinc from Nickel Electrolyte by Ion-exchange

In the process of nickel production by diaphragm electrolysis, the quality of the product has been tremendously affected by the content of zinc in the nickel electrolyte. Removing zinc from nickel electrolyte by ion-exchange is studied in the paper. Resin D201 is selected as the resin for zinc removing. Effects of the operative parameters, such as temperature, pH value and the contact time on zinc adsorption are observed and the desorption feature of the zinc-loaded resin is inspected. The results show that macroporous anion-exchange resin D201 has excellent adsorption and desorption properties. Its breakthrough capacity and saturation capacity in zinc adsorption reach 0.81 g/L of zinc and 1.16 g/L of zinc respectively, when the operative temperature is 60 °C and the contact time is only 5 min. In addition, compared with gel type IER 201 × 7 used industrially nowadays, this resin has better wearability and greater intensity.

Removal of copper from nickel anode electrolyte through ion exchange

An novel method for removal of copper from nickel anodic electrolyte through ion exchange was studied after cupric deoxidization. Orthogonal design experiments show the optimum conditions of deoxidizing cupric into Cu+ in the nickel electrolyte are the reductive agent dosage is 4.5 times as the theoretic dosage and reaction time is 0.5 h at 40 ℃ and pH 2.0. Ion exchange experiments show that the breakthrough capacity(Y) decreases with the increase of the linear flow rate(X): Y=1.559-0.194X+ 0.006 7X2. Breakthrough capacity increases with the increase of the ratio of height to radius(RRH). The higher the initial copper concentration, the less the breakthrough capacity(BC). SO42- and nickel concentration have no obvious change during the process of sorption, so it is not necessary to worry about the loss of nickel during the sorption process. Desorption experiments show that copper desorption from the resin is made perfectly with NaCl solution added with 4% (volume fraction) H2O2 (30%) and more than 100 g/L CuCl2 solution is achieved.

Experimental Study on Urease Activity and Cementation Characteristics of Soybean

A new and more ecologically sound cementing material known as“bio-cement”has been found to have the capacity to consolidate loose gravel into sand columns offering a certain degree of strength,and to fill and repair cracks in concrete to restore resilience.The typical representative is the microbial induced calcium carbonate deposition technology(MICP)and enzyme induced calcite precipitation(EICP).As part of this research,EICP with soybean urease as the core was studied.The test results show that soybean urease activity is significantly affected by pH and urea concentration values,while the external nickel source is not found to impair a stimulating effect on activity.When the concrete specimens were immersed in the composite solution of soybean urease,urea,and calcium chloride after having been subjected to a high temperature,a continuous layer of white precipitations quickly appeared on the surface of the specimens.Measured using a metalloscope,the thickness of the precipitations was found to reach up to 2.0 mm,while the surface water absorption rate was reduced by 70%.The effects of this combined outcome are believed to significantly protect and improve the durability of the concrete specimens previously subjected to a high temperature.At the same time,the composite solution is shown to be capable of cementing fly ash,with the cubic strength of the finished samples reaching 4.0 MPa after 3 days.Results from the use of a scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),and X-ray diffraction(XRD),reveal that both the white precipitations on the surface of the concrete specimens and the cement binding the fly ash particles are calcite crystals.It is concluded from these preliminary study results that the use of soybean urease as a bio-cement had proved successful.

Nano mesocellular foam silica（MCFs）:An effective adsorbent for removing Ni2+ from aqueous solution

Nano mesocellular foam silica(MCFs)was synthesized through the hydrothermal method in this study.Powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterize the MCFs sample.The sample presented spherical particles and regular morphology.The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that synthesized MCFs has a three-dimensional honeycomb pore structure,which aids in the adsorption of nickel ion(Ni^2+).The results of low-temperature nitrogen gas adsorption-desorption showed that the pore diameter of the synthesized MCFs was 19.6 nm.The impacts of pH,temperature,amount of adsorbent,initial concentration of Ni^2+,and contact time on the adsorption effect of Ni^2+ by MCFs were studied.Under the optimized adsorption conditions,the adsorption rate reached 96.10%and the adsorption capacity was 7.69 mg/g.It has been determined through the study of kinetics and adsorption isotherms that the adsorption of Ni^2+ by MCFs follows the pattern of the pseudo-second-order kinetic model,simultaneously belonging to the Freundlich adsorption type.The thermodynamic results of adsorption showed that,when the temperature is between 25℃ and 45℃,the adsorption is a spontaneous exothermic reaction.